Real Sociedad – Atlético Madrid: Materazzo’s Reboot Gives Real New Life (1-1)

Real Sociedad’s 1–1 draw against Atlético de Madrid on January 4th was a match shaped as much by context as by tactics. It marked the first appearance of Pellegrino Matarazzo on the Real Sociedad bench, in a situation where defeat would have left the Basque side dangerously close to the relegation zone, while Atlético once again faced the challenge of translating structure and talent into an away victory.

Tactical analysis and match report by Sebastián Parreño.

Real Sociedad entered the match with urgency, knowing that the table left little margin for error. Matarazzo’s first decision was not to reinvent the team, but to clarify roles and raise intensity. Out of possession, Real defended in a 4-4-2 with Remiro in goal; Aramburu, Jon Martín, Caleta-Car, and Sergio Gómez across the back line; Turrientes and Soler in central midfield; Guedes and Kubo on the flanks; and Oyarzabal partnering Brais Méndez up front. The shape was compact but aggressive, designed to be compact and look for opportunities in transition.

Atlético mirrored the 4-4-2 in paper, with Oblak behind Ruggeri, Hancko, Pubill, and Llorente. Giuliano Simeone and Baena occupied the wide midfield roles, while Koke and Barrios formed the central pairing, supporting a forward line of Sørloth and Julián Álvarez. While the structures looked similar before the game, the behaviors differed once the game started. Atlético’s block oscillated between mid and low phases, while Real Sociedad’s defensive approach was defined by constant jumping and early engagement.

In-Possession Ideas: Asymmetry vs. Bold Reconfiguration

With the ball, Atlético . . .