FC Barcelona gets a boost in La Liga table with a win against Real Sociedad. Xavi’s first season as a manager was a string of 4-0 wins in a lot of games now the favorite number is 1-0 I guess.
Table of Contents
Starting Lineups
FC Barcelona (3-4-3): Ter Stegen (GK); Araujo, Kounde, Inigo Martinez, Cancelo, Gavi, Gundogan, Balde, Fermin Lopez, Robert Lewandowski, Joao Felix.
Real Sociedad (4-4-2): Remiro (GK); Traore, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Munoz; Mendez, Zubimendi, Merino, Barrenetxea; Kubo, Oyarzabal.
Substitutes
Barcelona Subs: Inaki Pena (GK), Astralaga (GK), Christensen, Alonso, Casado, Romeu, Pedri, Yamal, Raphinha, Ferran Torres.
Real Sociedad Subs: Marrero (GK), Odriozola, Elustondo, Fernandez, Cho, Zakharyan, Olasagasti, Sadiq, Turrientes, De Zarate, Marin, Aramburu.
Match Officials
Following is the referee details for the match:
Referee: Javier Alberola Rojas
VAR: Carlos Del Cerro Grande
Match Highlights between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad
First Half Highlights
Real Sociedad started strong, testing Barcelona’s defense and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who made several crucial saves. Barcelona’s performance was shaky at the start, possibly still feeling the effects of a recent defeat in El Clásico. The first half was mostly uneventful.
Barcelona played with 4 in the midfield however didn’t look like it helped too much. Not sure when Xavi will ditch this idea. It has never worked to be true.
Second Half Highlights
As the second half unfolded, the urgency from both Barcelona and Real Sociedad was palpable, with each team eager to break the stalemate.
Barcelona’s young talent, Gavi, found himself in a promising position after a clever pass from Pedri sliced through the defense. However, his effort was met with a sharp save from Real Sociedad’s vigilant goalkeeper, Alex Remiro. The two midfielders combined for the first time after more than two months if I am not wrong.
If you look at the compiled highlight as well the pass from Pedri to Gavi were it any player with a bit more clinical ability would have been able to chip the ball over the keeper. God knows why everyone nowadays tries to just shoot and pray.
The intensity of the match was reflected in the bookings as well. Gavi, after his near miss, and Real Sociedad’s Zubimendi were both cautioned for their heated reactions to referee decisions.
Tactical changes were made in an attempt to alter the course of the game. Real Sociedad’s Traore made way for Aritz, while Barcelona introduced fresh legs with Ferran Torres replacing the formidable Lewandowski. Raphinha took over from Cancelo to inject more pace on the flank, and the dynamic Joao Felix was substituted by Yamal in a strategic move by the Barcelona bench.
Takefusa Kubo of Real Sociedad nearly leveled the scoreline after a well-timed pass from Mikel Merino, only for the flag to go up for offside, dashing the hopes of an equalizer for the home side.
The defining moment of the match came in injury time when Ronald Araujo scored the winning goal for Barcelona. He met a well-placed cross from Ilkay Gündogan with a strong header. The ball was initially saved but crossed the line, and after a VAR review, the goal was confirmed, securing a late victory for Barcelona. Ilkay Gündogan proving why he is the clutch player. Looks like he found his footing in the club when called old in this young team. He still has a lot to give for sure.
Man of the Match
Kind of expected candidate for the MOTM was either Gündogan or Araujo for the assist or header but it was ‘The Wall’ Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The German keeper made a lot of crucial saves at the back and secured a vital clean sheet on the road.
Conclusion
Well a win is a win however the forwards in FCB looks like to have forgotten how to score. The defense and the midfield is doing its job of defending and creating chances but unless they get converted, its going to be a tough season ahead. The injury crisis has put the club in a difficult situation due to which the players are unable to get a foothold and form in the lineup. Maybe all the off pitch referee issues affecting the dressing room.