No rest for the wicked: Matarazzo cranks up intensity with seven sessions in six days
New Real Sociedad boss Pellegrino Matarazzo wastes no time implementing rigorous training schedule ahead of crucial Atletico Madrid clash.
Real Sociedad players better have their running boots polished as new gaffer Pellegrino Matarazzo launches straight into a brutal training regime with no weekly rest day in sight.
Double trouble
The txuriurdin squad faced their first taste of Matarazzo’s methods yesterday, but that was just the appetiser. Today they’re being served a proper double helping with sessions scheduled for both morning and afternoon (11:00 and 15:00). Whether this is just to make up for lost time or a regular feature of the American-Italian’s approach remains to be seen.
Seven sessions, six days
Matarazzo clearly isn’t one for easing gently into a new job. With his debut match looming large against Atletico Madrid next Sunday at 21:00 in Anoeta, he’s programmed a relentless schedule:
- Monday: First session (completed)
- Tuesday: Double session (11:00 and 15:00)
- Wednesday through Saturday: Daily morning sessions at 11:00
That’s a whopping seven training sessions crammed into just six days. The usual weekly rest day? Binned off completely. Proper tasty schedule, that.
Behind closed doors
While yesterday’s initial session was open to supporters (particularly the youngsters) to catch a glimpse of their heroes in the flesh, it’s back to business as usual for the remainder of the week. All remaining sessions will be conducted behind closed doors, continuing the club’s established policy of recent years.
Matarazzo clearly knows he’s got his work cut out. La Real need results sharpish, and the new gaffer isn’t hanging about. The players might be feeling it in their pins by the time Atletico roll into town, but there’s nothing like a baptism of fire to separate the wheat from the chaff.