Real Sociedad seemed to prioritize Takefusa Kubo's health and his prospects for playing in the World Cup with the national team during the season's closing stages.
At that point, Real Sociedad had largely nothing left to play for in the league. After recovering from his most recent injury, Takefusa Kubo had played a significant role in the starting lineup for several consecutive weeks, but then his playing time noticeably decreased. Ultimately, an understanding developed between Takefusa Kubo and Matarazzo, with the aim of avoiding any physical mishaps.
The Japanese attacker's focus was already on the upcoming World Cup. He could not afford the risk of a recurring injury before such a tournament, so both Real Sociedad management and the coaching staff adopted a strategy of full protection for him.
This understanding to manage Takefusa Kubo's playing load was evident in the final two rounds of the regular season, where he was completely benched. In the matches against Valencia and Espanyol, Takefusa Kubo remained on the substitutes' bench for the entire game, not receiving even a minute of playing time in the closing stages of the league.
It is noteworthy that despite Real Sociedad's severe shortage of wingers in the Barcelona match, with neither Barrenetxea nor Gonçalo Guedes able to play on the wing, Matarazzo still adhered to this protective arrangement.
Even so, Real Sociedad chose to provide maximum convenience for the team's star player, allowing Takefusa Kubo to end the season in a secondary role, thus enabling him to participate in international competitions in optimal physical condition and without accumulated fatigue. Matarazzo himself explained this situation at the press conference before the away match against Espanyol. He justified all arrangements concerning Takefusa Kubo with strict tactical standards, downplaying the player's obvious reluctance to take risks before departing to join the national team.
Matarazzo publicly defended Takefusa Kubo, stating: "In the first few weeks after I arrived here, we saw Takefusa Kubo in good form. After his injury, he hasn't been able to return to that level, but he is very talented."
Matarazzo also concluded the discussion by saying: "My decision was because I needed other types of players, but he is a player who can create a lot of threat and is very talented, it's just that sometimes you need other types of players." This explanation was well-mannered, but it also masked the fact that Real Sociedad was protecting a player whose mind was already on the World Cup.