Real Sociedad dreaming of doing it again

The Basque side return to the place where they reached the summit just over five years ago. On April 3, 2021, La Real lifted the cup in Seville, 34 years after their previous triumph. This Thursday, they will try to repeat that success at La Cartuja Stadium, which will provide a spectacular atmosphere worthy of a final.

The team trained on the pitch at La Cartuja in their final session before the big match. Pellegrino Matarazzo was able to work with 25 players, with Zakharyan, Zubeldia, Odriozola and Rupérez ruled out.

The New Jersey-born coach, who spoke to the media shortly before training, said the team is “in very good shape and full of energy” and admitted it will be his “first time competing in a final for a title, which will be very special.”

Since his arrival in December 2025, Real Sociedad have been in strong form, winning 11 of the 18 matches under his leadership. They will face an in-form Atlético de Madrid side, fresh off reaching the Champions League semi-finals. “I expect a match full of heart and intensity between two confident teams who both want to win,” he said.

To close the press conference, Matarazzo thanked the fans for their incredible support, both in San Sebastián and upon the team’s arrival in their hotel in Seville: “It has been incredible, and we hope to repay all that energy by bringing the cup home.”

In the same line, Mikel Oyarzabal stressed the “pride” he feels captaining his lifelong club in another final, and described a “huge happiness” at having the chance to experience it with their supporters.

The Eibar-born forward, hero of the 2021 final when he scored against Athletic Club, believes his team can win again: “It could be our day, and we believe in it.” Now in his 11th season with the first team, Oyarzabal called it “a dream to have another chance to win a title with the club of our lives.”