Barcelona lose to a spirited Real Sociedad to close up La Liga points table gap

• A famous win for the home team to help close up La Liga’s standing.

• Barcelona didn’t register a shot on target for the entire match.

• Quadruple change for Real Sociedad – Oskarsson, Goemz, Barrenetxea, and Elustondo.

• Real Sociedad score thanks to Sheraldo Becker.

• Lewandowski scores to a De Jong pass but VAR rules it out.

Match Report

Real Sociedad handed Barcelona a second La Liga defeat of the season, thoroughly outplaying the leaders in San Sebastian. The loss curtails Barcelona from running away at the top of the La Liga table.

The match started with Barcelona trying to attack and make quick inroads into the game. Lewandowski seemed to have provided just that when a De Jong line-splitting pass was put away by the Polish striker. Unfortunately, VAR ruled it out after a review. It would remain Barcelona’s best effort of the evening.

Real Sociedad, played with tenacity and came prepared with tactics to counter Hansi Flick’s Barcelona. Sociedad applied high press and attacked Barcelona’s defensive high line to perfection as they kept the Catalan side at bay. Their efforts were rewarded when Becker found the back of the net.

Pena’s poor goal kick started the chain of events as the ball went back to where it came from, Sucic moved it on and Becker responded quickly to the loose ball before firing the winner. Becker was involved in creating another huge chance for Real Sociedad when he provided for Oyarzabal who sent the ball narrowly wide. Barcelona trailed going into halftime.

Barcelona were missing the injured Lamine Yamal and never looked in rhythm. It was only in the final five minutes of injury time that they looked to exert sustained pressure. But the team from San Sebastian were prepared to take on the challenge. They defended well and kept striking the ball away from their box area before the final whistle blew.

Barcelona still the team to beat.

The home fans were ecstatic with a memorable victory. Real Sociedad’s poor home form in recent months only made the win sweeter. For Hansi Flick and Barcelona, this could be a one-off blip as they still retain their top spot in the La Liga standings with a six-point cushion. Albeit, Real Madrid their closest challengers have a game in hand. It’s ‘game on’ for the La Liga title fight.

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