Overview
- Real Sociedad beat Atlético Madrid on penalties to win the Copa del Rey, securing the club’s fourth title.
- The club hired Pellegrino Matarazzo in December after dismissing Sergio Francisco, who had managed four wins in sixteen matches.
- Under Matarazzo, La Real play more direct football with less possession and more bodies in the box, and Opta now ranks them sixth for expected goals and fifth for goals.
- The shift has revived Gonçalo Guedes as a scoring threat and elevated Benat Turrientes, whose work rate anchors the new style.
- With the cup secured, the immediate goal is a top‑seven league finish for Europe, though analysts warn the new‑manager surge must hold over the run‑in.