Remiro's Redemption: 'Barça performance was my best this season'
Real Sociedad keeper Alex Remiro opens up about his stellar performance against Barcelona and how Matarazzo has transformed La Real's fortunes.
Real Sociedad’s number one finally feels like his old self again after a standout display against Barcelona.
Keeper comes clean
Alex Remiro has candidly admitted that his performance against Barcelona represents his best showing of the current campaign - a season where he hasn’t been the match-winner for La Real that fans had grown accustomed to seeing.
“I wasn’t being the Remiro of previous years,” the Basque keeper confessed, acknowledging a dip in his usual decisive form that had previously been so crucial for the San Sebastian outfit.
The victory over the Catalan giants clearly meant the world to Remiro and his teammates, lifting them away from the danger zone and allowing them to look upward rather than over their shoulders in the table.
Matarazzo magic
The arrival of Pellegrino ‘Rino’ Matarazzo has breathed new life into a squad that was looking proper down in the dumps. Since the German-American gaffer took the reins, La Real have notched three wins and a draw - not too shabby at all!
Remiro highlighted several key improvements under the new boss:
- Increased energy and intensity
- Tactical tweaks and system changes
- Clear messaging despite language barriers
- Greater belief among the squad
- More thorough training across different facets of the game
“The team had character before, but was struggling to show it,” Remiro explained. “Since ‘Rino’ arrived, things have changed. We believe more in ourselves and in our teammates.”
Keeper’s union
In a touch of class, Remiro also found time to praise his opposite number from the Barcelona match, Joan García, who’s making a strong case for Spanish national team selection.
The Real Sociedad keeper revealed a personal connection to García through a shared sports psychologist, who had spoken glowingly about the young Barça keeper’s qualities.
Remiro also gave a nod to his own teammate Unai Marrero, who helped secure La Real’s Copa del Rey progress against Osasuna, emphasizing the high standard of goalkeeping at the Basque club.
Looking ahead
With renewed confidence and momentum, Remiro and his teammates are now setting their sights on continuing their cup run while climbing the La Liga table.
The statement win against Barcelona - “the best team of the season so far” according to Remiro - has provided not just three points but also a massive injection of belief that could propel La Real toward their ambitions for the remainder of the campaign.