Senegal defender Mamadou Sarr has received praise from Real Sociedad coach Pellegrino Matarazzo after making his long-awaited debut in Monday’s 3-2 victory over Elche.
Sarr joined Real Sociedad on loan from Chelsea during the summer but had been forced to wait for his opportunity, remaining on the bench since his arrival.
The 20-year-old was handed his first start against Elche and played a key part as Real Sociedad secured an important away victory.
Matarazzo admitted Sarr needed some time to adjust to the intensity of the match after a lengthy period without competitive action but was pleased with the overall performance.
The coach also revealed that Sarr had warned him at half-time that he would eventually need to be substituted because of fatigue.
However, Matarazzo felt the Senegalese defender still had something left to offer before eventually taking him off as part of a double substitution.
Speaking about Sarr’s display, Matarazzo said: “Yes, there were certainly moments when you could see he needed a little time to adapt to the match. He hadn’t played for quite a while, but I think he did very well.
“At halftime, he was tired. I told him, ‘You still have ten minutes.’ You could also see that Gonçalo Guedes was very tired.
“That’s when we had to make a double substitution, even though I felt Mamadou Sarr still had some energy left. At halftime, he warned me that he would have to come off at some point.
“But I’m satisfied with his performance: physically strong, good defensive interventions, and comfortable on the ball. Despite a few minor errors, I think he delivered a very solid performance.”
Matarazzo particularly praised Sarr’s physical strength, defensive interventions and composure in possession.
The coach acknowledged that the defender made a few minor mistakes during his first appearance, but said they did not detract from what he considered a strong overall showing.
For Sarr, the appearance ended his wait for competitive football since arriving at Real Sociedad from Chelsea.
His performance in the victory over Elche should provide a confidence boost as he looks to establish himself in Matarazzo’s plans.
The Senegal international’s ability to contribute defensively while remaining comfortable in possession could make him an important option for Real Sociedad as the season progresses.
