Pellegrino Matarazzo’s debut as head coach of struggling Real Sociedad ended in a 1-1 draw, as Atletico Madrid missed the chance to leapfrog Villarreal into third place in LaLiga and secure a fifth consecutive win across all competitions.

Sociedad, who dismissed Sergio Francisco just before the winter break, started brightly. Mikel Oyarzabal forced a save early on, while Julian Alvarez squandered two early opportunities for Atletico, the latter from close range. Jan Oblak was also called into action to parry a Brais Mendez shot from outside the box.

Controversy struck in the 17th minute when Marc Pubill appeared to pull Duje Caleta-Car’s shirt in the penalty area, but no spot-kick was awarded. Atletico thought they had taken the lead on the stroke of halftime when Carlos Soler’s free-kick deflected into the net off former Sociedad striker Alexander Sorloth. However, the goal was correctly disallowed as Mendez was adjudged offside and interfering with play.

Diego Simeone responded at halftime with a double substitution, bringing on Robin Le Normand and Conor Gallagher. The changes paid off as Atletico opened the scoring through Sorloth, who nodded home Giuliano Simeone’s precise cross after a strong attacking move.

Gallagher then missed a golden chance to double Atletico’s advantage, a miss that proved costly. Sociedad capitalized on the reprieve, equalizing in the 55th minute when Goncalo Guedes slotted home Take Kubo’s outside-of-the-foot cross during a quick counter-attack.

Antoine Griezmann was introduced later, but the hosts looked more likely to snatch all three points, with Benat Turrientes and Kubo testing Oblak in a high-intensity finish. Oyarzabal also went close in the dying moments but could not win a penalty, while Griezmann’s attempted dink was comfortably saved by Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro.

Despite several late chances, neither side could find a winner. The point lifts Real Sociedad two places to 15th, providing a solid start for Matarazzo, while Atletico drop points in their pursuit of a top-three finish.