3 takeaways from Real Sociedad vs Barcelona

Champions Barcelona stayed at the top of the table after Real Madrid dropped points against Athletic Bilbao, holding on to a 1-1 draw as Isco equalized an Iker Muniain strike in the 32nd minute.

Barcelona were trailing at the end of the first half courtesy of an Aritz Elustondo stunner in the 12th minute. Resting key personnel Philippe Coutinho and Sergio Busquets given the upcoming Champions League matches, Valverde started Roberto and Rafinha in midfield alongside Ivan Rakitic, with Nelson Semedo also starting at right-back.

Barcelona finally broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute with a scrappy goal from Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele scored the winner 3 minutes later, with Geronimo Rulli in the ground as the shot went in. Let's take a look at some of the interesting points to be noted from this game.

The absence of players like Busquets and Coutinho was surely felt as the creativity was missing throughout the first-half for the Blaugrana

#3 ter Stegen saves Barcelona yet again

As the clock ticked on, Barcelona's defenders pushed high up the pitch and became vulnerable to counter attacks. But the German international bailed the Blaugrana out on several one-on-one chances and is the sole reason they conceded just one goal.

With Real Sociedad taking 8 shots on goal, 5 on target, they surely will count themselves unlucky to have gone home without a point. But the masterclass performance put in by ter Stegen surely hurt them. His distribution from the back was excellent as usual, making sure the ball reached his teammates for the most part.

The German is in the form of his life and surely will be an important figure for Barcelona if they are to compete on all fronts to achieve the treble yet again.

#2 Real Sociedad can count themselves unlucky

Real Sociedad were surely deserving of the first half lead that they earned after doing really well to contain Barcelona and also keeping Messi quiet for most of the game.

Every time the ball was at Messi's feet, players crowded him and put pressure until he lost the ball. They were threatening the defense with every chance they got and tried to hurt them on the counter, only to be undone by ter Stegen. The German international was the only thing that prevented them from scoring time and again.

This loss shouldn't hinder their progress and they should be really happy for putting up a really good performance.

#1 Ousmane Dembele the missing piece for Barcelona?

Ousmane Dembele started at left-wing for the fourth game in a row in the league and he hasn't failed to deliver for the Blaugrana, scoring in important games and winning points for his team. He has scored 3 goals and 2 of those have been winning goals, one against Real Valladolid in a drab 1-0 win and now at Anoeta in a game where most of the players were pretty average.

On a day when Messi was crowded whenever he got the ball, Dembele delivered when it mattered the most. Until half-time, he wasn't too impressive but he had the flair that Barcelona needed so badly, teasing the Sociedad defense time and time again.

If he continues in this vein, Barcelona could be just as threatening when Messi doesn't show up.