American coach targets Copa triumph as 'Matarazzed' mania grips Basque Country

SEVILLE, Spain, April 17 : When American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo walked through the doors at Real Sociedad a day after Christmas, the Basque club were hovering in 16th place with 17 points from 17 matches.

Four months on, they are fighting for European spots in LaLiga and heading to Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid, with opponents across Spain discovering what it means to be "Matarazzed".

The phrase, born in a moment of live-broadcast euphoria, has become the calling card of a side transformed.

Coined by commentator Alex de Llano during La Real's 2-1 fightback win at Getafe on DAZN, it was a spontaneous nod to the New Jersey-born manager's growing influence.

The quip quickly escaped the commentary box and took on a life of its own in the streets of San Sebastian.

"You have been Matarazzed" now rings out whenever La Real outwit or outplay their rivals – a humorous badge of honour signalling that Matarazzo's daring, attacking team have surprised, outmanoeuvred or simply impressed.

Even the man himself has embraced it. Matarazzo uses the expression in press conferences, explaining its meaning with a smile and acknowledging the bond forged in a matter of weeks with supporters who have fallen for his football and his manner.

From his first training session at Zubieta on December 26, Matarazzo made one thing clear: call him Rino, the nickname used by his family.

The son of Italian immigrants, born 30 minutes away from Manhattan in 1977, he has prioritised trust and unity over tactical tinkering in his first six weeks in charge.

The turnaround has been striking.

La Real, once peering anxiously over their shoulders at the relegation zone, are now one of Spain's form teams and preparing to face Diego