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Barcelona were beaten 2-1 by Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday (May 21). Mikel Merino and Alexander Sorloth got the job done for the Basque Country outfit before Robert Lewandowski pulled one back for the Blaugrana late on.
Having been confirmed as champions following their win last weekend, Xavi's side appeared to take their foot off the gas. They looked complacent and sloppy, while Sociedad took the game to them with a brilliant counter-attacking game.
It took them only five minutes to break the deadlock as Merino rounded off a pass from Sorloth beyond Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Barcelona looked to find their way back into the game, but Ousmane Dembele saw a shot saved by Alex Remiro, while Robert Lewandowski missed a chance from six yards out.
Meanwhile, Ander Barrenetxea also wasted two good chances for Sociedad. Barcelona started the second half with high tempo as they looked for the equaliser but were exposed at the back once more in the 72nd minute as Sociedad hit them in another counter-attacking move.
Martin Zubimendi received the ball from Takefusa Kubo and squared it for Sorloth to make a cool finish and double their lead. Lewandowski reduced the deficit in the 90th minute with a powerful header off Ferran Torres' cross.
Barcelona, though, succumbed to only their fourth league defeat of the season but remain in first place with 85 points. Sociedad are fourth with 65. On that note, here are the five talking points from the game:
#5 Barcelona punished for individual mistakes
With the La Liga title sewn up last weekend, Barcelona were expected to mark the coronation night with a big win, but they looked complacent instead and went down in rather inept fashion.
Both of Sociedad's goals were a result of counter-press and inidividual mistakes from Barcelona players. Jules Kounde appeared to lose his footing while under pressure from Alexander Sorloth. The Norwegian broke forward on the counter before squaring it to Mikel Merino, who produced a cool finish beyond Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
In the 72nd minute, Frenkie de Jong was guilty of conceding possession. Martin Zubimendi plucked the ball off the Dutchman and passed it to Takefusa Kubo to start another counter.
The Japanese then fed him back who instead squared it to Sorloth for an easy finish and put the game beyond doubt.
#4 Real Sociedad must sign Alexander Sorloth permanently
Real Sociedad signed Alexander Sorloth on loan from RB Leipzig in 2021, but the Norwegian struggled to make an impact. La Real gave him the benefit of the doubt and signed him on another loan term this season, and he has duly delivered this time .
The 27-year-old came to the Camp Nou on the back of ten goals in La Liga, more than anyone in the Sociedad team, and delivered a top performance against Barcelona last night.
He created the first goal and scored the second, demonstrating his ability to step up against the big sides. Following such a good run, the Basque Country outfit should sign him permanently.
#3 Robert Lewandowski continues his push for Golden Boot
Barcelona almost ended the game goalless, but Robert Lewandowski pulled one back in the 90th minute. The Pole rose highest to meet a cross from Ferran Torres and head home a powerful effort in a consolation strike for the prosaic home side.
Lewandowski, like his teammates, struggled to impose himself in the game for large swathes, but took his chance clinically at the end for his 22nd top-flight goal of the season. He's now five clear of Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, who's hopes of winning back-to-back Golden Boot awards are almost over.
#2 Real Sociedad end 32-year hurt at Camp Nou
Real Sociedad won at the Camp Nou for the first time since 1991, ending a run of 24 consecutive defeats. It couldn't have come at a better time, too.
La Real are aiming to return to the UEFA Champions League next season. With Villarreal winning earlier in the day to reduce the gap on them to just two points, it was imperative for the Basque Country outfit to respond.
Respond they did, capitalising on an insipid display from their mighty hosts to pick up a historic win. This was also their first win against Barcelona across competitions since April 2016.
#1 Barcelona ring in the title celebrations
It took four long years, but the La Liga title finally returned to the Camp Nou last night as the Barcelona players celebrated their impressive top-flight campaign with their fans.
The Blaugrana would've liked to win the game to have taken a different course altogether on coronation night, but having already wrapped up the trophy, the loss mattered little.
Xavi will encourage his team to finish with the highest possible points total now, which is 94, an incredible tally and one that reflects their dominance. However, preparations for their title defence next season would soon commence. The club are mulling changes, with some old guards let to leave and new arrivals on the horizon.
