Matarazzo sees 3-2 win as “a step forward”

“Without playing our best match, we went 3-0 up and won: it’s a step forward,” Matarazzo said after Real Sociedad’s 3-2 victory at Anoeta. His team returned to winning ways at home and collected three points he considers valuable, despite having to see out the match with a man fewer.

The score had reached 3-0 even though, the coach acknowledged, Real Sociedad were not at their best. Dépor then cut the deficit to 3-2. Matarazzo also pointed to clear chances for his side and, after the gap narrowed, a good opportunity to restore a two-goal cushion.

The coach conceded that his team should have kept the ball more and controlled the game better. He felt they relied too heavily on transitions, gave possession away and had to defend again. Despite those difficulties, he praised his players’ response and their ability to secure the three points.

Pablo Marín’s direct red card came in the penalty incident that allowed Dépor to make it 3-2. Matarazzo said he had not seen the dismissal on television and accepted the referee’s interpretation: if a foul had been committed, he acknowledged, a red card could be justified for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Matarazzo had praised Antonio Hidalgo’s team the previous day as well. He described them as well coached, with a clear style and quality players, while acknowledging that facing them had made the match difficult. For him, this hard-fought win was still another positive step.