Football Season Guide

The past season was a successful one for Real Sociedad in the end but nobody could have predicted it considering how bad things were until the beginning of the new year. In fact, by mid-December they were falling downhill and flirting too dangerously with the bottom 3. Then, coach Sergio Francisco was sacked after less than 6 months at the helm and, after a short-lived stint with a caretaker, the management handed the reins of the team to American Pellegrino Matarazzo, unemployed since November 2024, come the new year. He was the right man in the right place as in no time he managed to straighten the ship and to lead his boys all the way up to the European spots and to an unexpected 3rd triumph in the Copa del Rey, defeating Atletico Madrid through the penalty shootout. Afterwards, it was mid-April, Real Sociedad relaxed and gave up fighting, thus ending the campaign with no wins in the last 7. This way, they finished the season in 10th spot, only 4 points above the relegation zone. While they held the 5th-best attack of the league, with 59 goals scored, Real Sociedad surprisingly also had the worst defence, with 61 goals conceded, and that is an area Matarazzo, at his first season in full charge, will have to work on. Truth be said, their summer was far from a busy one. So far, they lost 2 centre-backs in erratic Elustondo, who was let go, and valid starting Caleta-Car, who returned to his parent club. 20-year-old Japanese Kita was thus hired permanently after tasting Spanish football with their junior team and Pacheco returned after an experience at Alaves. Not enough, also considering their European commitment. Elsewhere, they lost sometime starting attacking midfielder Mendez, who was sold to Columbus Crew and was not yet replaced, while winger Wesley returned to Saudi Arabia after leaving no mark.