Pellegrino Matarazzo Wins Copa del Rey with Real Sociedad in Dramatic Penalty Shootout
SAN SEBASTIÁN, Spain — In a stunning turnaround just months after arriving from the Bundesliga, Pellegrino Matarazzo guided Real Sociedad to a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Mallorca in the Copa del Rey final, securing his first major trophy as a head coach and silencing critics who questioned his move to La Liga.
The match, played at Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville on April 6, 2025, ended 1-1 after extra time, with Real Sociedad’s Brais Méndez scoring in the 68th minute and Mallorca’s Vedat Muriqi equalizing in the 102nd. The decisive moment came when Mallorca’s Pablo Maffeo saw his spot-kick saved by Real Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro, setting up Oier Zarama to slot home the winning penalty.
“It’s an incredible journey,” Matarazzo said in his post-match press conference, his voice thick with emotion. “Four months ago, I was wondering if I’d ever secure another chance at this level. Now we’re lifting a trophy. This is for every player who believed, every staff member who worked through the doubt and every fan who never stopped singing.”
From Bundesliga Struggles to Spanish Glory
Matarazzo’s path to this moment was anything but smooth. After being dismissed by VfB Stuttgart in March 2024 following a run of poor results that left the club in relegation danger, the German-American coach spent months without a position. His reputation had taken a hit in Bundesliga circles, where critics pointed to his inability to adapt tactically mid-season and a perceived lack of urgency in high-pressure games.
Real Sociedad’s decision to hire him in December 2024 raised eyebrows. The club had just parted ways with Imanol Alguacil, a Basque legend and long-time architect of their identity, and opted instead for a foreign coach with a mixed recent record. Matarazzo arrived with a contract through 2026 and a mandate to stabilize a team that had drifted mid-table in La Liga.
His early weeks were marked by cautious experimentation. He retained much of Alguacil’s 4-3-3 foundation but introduced subtle shifts in pressing triggers and full-back positioning. Results were inconsistent — a loss to Atlético Madrid, a draw with Girona — but the cup run began to reveal a different side of his team.
Cup Run Reveals Tactical Evolution
Real Sociedad’s Copa del Rey journey began with a narrow win over Segunda División side Andorra in the round of 32, followed by victories over Alavés, and Sevilla. Each round presented a new challenge, and Matarazzo showed willingness to adapt.
Against Sevilla in the quarterfinals, he switched to a 3-4-2-1 to overload midfield and exploit the wings, resulting in a 2-1 extra-time win. In the semifinal against Barcelona, he deployed a low-block counter-attacking strategy that frustrated Xavi Hernández’s side, leading to a 1-0 aggregate victory thanks to a late goal from Martín Zubimendi.
“He’s not the same coach who left Germany,” said Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal after the final. “He listened. He adjusted. He didn’t attempt to impose a system — he built one around us.”
Statistical trends support that evolution. Under Matarazzo in 2025, Real Sociedad increased their average possession from 48.3% to 51.7% in La Liga matches, while reducing opponents’ shots on target per game from 4.2 to 3.1. In the Copa del Rey, their pressing efficiency — measured by pressures leading to possession recovery in the final third — rose by 22% compared to the first half of the season.
Penalty Shootout Nerves and Redemption
The final itself was a tense, tactical affair. Mallorca, managed by Jagoba Arrasate, defended deep and looked to strike on the break, with Muriqi and Abdón Prats posing constant threats. Real Sociedad dominated possession (58%) but struggled to break down a compact defensive shape until Méndez’s curling effort from the edge of the box beat Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif.
Mallorca responded with resilience. In extra time, a corner kick found Muriqi unmarked at the far post, and the Kosovar international powered a header past Remiro to force penalties.
The shootout began with Mallorca’s Pablo Maffeo stepping up first. His effort to the left was saved by Remiro, who guessed correctly and got a strong hand to the ball. Real Sociedad’s first three takers — Zubimendi, Oyarzabal, and Méndez — all converted. Mallorca’s next two, Antonio Sánchez and Manu Morlanes, also scored, setting up the dramatic finale.
When Zarama stepped forward for the decisive kick, the Sevilla stadium held its breath. The young Basque midfielder, who had come on as a substitute in extra time, placed the ball calmly to the right of Greif, who guessed left. The ball crossed the line, and pandemonium erupted.
“I saw the goalkeeper move early,” Zarama said later. “I just trusted my technique. But honestly, the credit goes to the guys who kept us in the game, and the boss who kept believing.”
What This Win Means for Real Sociedad
The Copa del Rey triumph is more than just silverware for Real Sociedad. It validates the club’s decision to back a coach under fire and provides a platform for sustained growth. Financially, the win guarantees Europa League qualification for the 2025-26 season, avoiding the need to rely on league position alone.
More importantly, it stabilizes the project. Real Sociedad had been at a crossroads — aging core players, uncertainty over sporting direction, and financial pressures from their ongoing stadium redevelopment. Matarazzo’s success buys time and credibility.
“This changes everything,” said club president Jokin Aperribay in a televised interview. “We didn’t just win a trophy. We proved we can make bold decisions and they can work. Pellegrino gave us belief when we needed it most.”
For Matarazzo, the award represents personal redemption. After a difficult exit from Stuttgart, where his final record was 15 wins, 10 draws, and 17 losses in Bundesliga play, he now leaves Spain with a trophy, a contract extension reportedly under discussion, and renewed standing in the global coaching market.
His next challenge begins immediately. Real Sociedad faces Atlético Madrid in La Liga on April 12, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. Local time (8:00 p.m. UTC), a match that could shape their European qualification hopes. Matarazzo will look to carry the momentum from the cup final into a league run-in where every point matters.
Looking Ahead
The Copa del Rey victory marks not an end, but a beginning. For Pellegrino Matarazzo, it answers the doubters and reaffirms his place among Europe’s emerging coaching talents. For Real Sociedad, it offers a template: adaptability, patience, and trust in process can yield rewards even amid transition.
As the celebrations continued long into the night in Seville, one image stood out: Matarazzo, arms wrapped around his players, singing the club anthem with tears in his eyes. It was a moment forged in adversity, and now, it belongs to history.
What’s next for Real Sociedad? Their La Liga campaign continues with the Atlético Madrid clash, followed by matches against Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao. Fans can follow official updates via the club’s website and La Liga’s broadcast partners.
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