Match
Matarazzo attacks VAR after Athletic Bilbao beat Real Sociedad 2-1 in Basque derby
The Real Sociedad coach said he could not understand why the VAR did not review the penalty awarded against Jon Mikel Aramburu.
FootVal Newsroom
Athletic Bilbao defeated Real Sociedad 2-1 at San Mamés in the Basque derby, with the result overshadowed by a controversial penalty decision that angered the visiting coach Pellegrino Matarazzo.
Referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández awarded a penalty for a foul by Jon Mikel Aramburu on Nico Williams. According to Mundo Deportivo, Aramburu appeared to touch the ball before making contact with Williams, yet the VAR did not intervene to overturn the call.
Matarazzo was visibly irritated in his post-match press conference. "I simply do not understand why the VAR did not intervene and cancel the penalty," he said, adding that officials did not even check the incident. He also acknowledged, however, that his side were not solid enough on the night.
FootVal values Real Sociedad's squad at €288m, slightly below the Transfermarkt figure of €292m, while Athletic Bilbao's squad is valued at €207m by FootVal. Right-back Aramburu, who was at the centre of the controversy, has made eight appearances in the 2026/27 season.
Sources
This article is based on reports by:
- kicker — Matarazzo greift VAR an: "Ich verstehe es einfach nicht"
- AS — Matarazzo: “No entiendo por qué el VAR no ha intervenido y anulado el penalti”
- Mundo Deportivo — Matarazzo explota por el penalti de Aramburu: "No entiendo por qué el VAR no ha intervenido"
Written by the FootVal newsroom from the reports below, with figures from FootVal’s own database. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. · How we report