From Thrashing Dortmund to Humbling Bayern: Matarazzo's Bundesliga Masterclasses
Real Sociedad's new boss Pellegrino Matarazzo has some impressive scalps in his Bundesliga career, though Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen proved his kryptonite.
From Thrashing Dortmund to Humbling Bayern: Matarazzo’s Bundesliga Masterclasses
Real Sociedad’s new gaffer Pellegrino Matarazzo brings a CV with some proper statement wins against Germany’s biggest clubs, though he’s yet to crack the Xabi Alonso code.
Bundesliga Blockbusters
If you’re wondering what La Real’s new man in the dugout is capable of, look no further than his greatest hits in Germany. The Italian-American tactician has chalked up over a century of Bundesliga matches, with two results that stand head and shoulders above the rest:
- A stunning 5-1 demolition job away at Borussia Dortmund shortly after taking the Stuttgart reins
- An impressive 4-2 comeback victory against Bayern Munich during his Hoffenheim tenure, overturning a 2-0 deficit against the Bavarian giants
These weren’t just any Dortmund and Bayern sides either. The Dortmund thrashing came against a team featuring the likes of Bellingham, Reus, Sancho and Hummels, while his Bayern scalp saw him outfox a lineup including Neuer, Müller, Kimmich and Davies. Not half bad for a day’s work!
Mixed Fortunes
Matarazzo’s coaching journey hasn’t been all champagne and roses, mind. After guiding Stuttgart to promotion and a respectable 9th-place finish in 2020-21, the following campaign saw them barely avoid relegation in 15th spot, winning just 7 of 34 matches. His third season started even worse - winless after nine games, the club showed him the door.
Hoffenheim came calling just four months later, and Matarazzo gradually turned things around. By the 2023-24 season, he’d led them to 13 victories and a 7th-place finish, scoring a tasty 66 goals and securing Europa League football.
The Xabi Alonso Curse
If there’s one manager who’s had Matarazzo’s number, it’s former La Real player and manager Xabi Alonso. In four Bundesliga encounters with Alonso’s Leverkusen, Matarazzo came up empty-handed every time, suffering defeats of 3-1, 3-2, 2-1 and 4-1.
Thankfully for the new Txuri-Urdin boss, he won’t have to face his nemesis in La Liga - though I’d pay good money to see that tactical battle should their paths cross in Europe!