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A stalemate first-half performance from both the sides followed by a bit more interesting second, Barcelona versus Real Sociedad ends in favour of the home side as, once again, a Lionel Messi goal halts Imano Alguacil Barrenetxea's ambitions of a top-four finish. Real Sociedad have only themselves to blame as the visitors were well on course to get a point in the bag if not for a silly mistake by one of their centre-backs that gave away a penalty in the dying minutes of the game.
Although the Catalan giants dominated in terms of having possession and the number of shots attempted, Real Sociedad were calm and composed for the majority of the game. Messi having an off day did help their cause, but Real Sociedad's defence was disciplined while dealing with the likes of Martin Braithwaite and Antoine Griezmann.
Barcelona has ground out a much important win as they go two points above Real Madrid on the table, with an extra game played. Let's have a look at the flop and hits of the game.
#4 Flop | Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)
Frenkie de Jong has settled in well with life in Catalunya but lately, the 21-year-old has struggled terribly to keep up with the form he showed when he first came to Barcelona. After a poor performance in El Clásico, he was expected to come good tonight in front of the home fans. However, the former Ajax midfielder seems a bit off, completing just 50 passes, whereas his midfield companion Ivan Rakitić had as many as 63 touches in just 75 minutes.
Frenkie de Jong shot to prominence when he first burst onto the scene at Ajax, but he does not play a similar role under Quique Setién as he did at Ajax. The 21-year old has more attacking duties on his shoulder. A player with immense potential, it would not be long before we see him perform at a level where he usually does.
#3 Hit | Martin Braithwaite (Barcelona)
Martin Braithwaite, even though he was played out wide was a constant threat to Andoni Gorosabel who did not have the best of games. The former Leganes striker fit in like a glove with Lionel Messi and co. and was unlucky to not get a goal.
Braithwaite had 38 touches in and around the box, completing as many as 25 passes. Barcelona did not have the ball as much as they wanted which made it difficult for the forwards to come into the game. However he left the field after making a great impression, winning 4 ground duels and 1 aerial duel in the game.
Although goals are yet to come, Barça's new signing has pretty much did what the manager has asked him to do; linking up well with his forwards while also tracking back regularly to help Jordi Alba out. A decent performance to seal the game as the Danish international would look to score his first goal in Barcelona colours against Mallorca next weekend.
#2 Flop | Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad)
If going through a bad patch of form was not enough, Robin Le Normand ended the night on the losing side, courtesy of a silly mistake by the 23-year-old to give away a penalty in the 81st minute of the game.
The French defender had a torrid time containing Antoine Griezmann who created all sorts of problems for him. Nacho Monreal's involvement was significant but Normand did not do enough to take a bit of pressure off his goalkeeper's shoulders, who had plenty to do last night.
In 90 minutes, except for a well-timed clearance on Nelson Semedo in the dying minutes of the first half, Normand failed to do anything concrete throughout the game. He registered zero tackles and interceptions, whilst having just two clearances to his name. He lost two aerial and ground duels and also gave away a penalty following a weak header, which basically gifted Barcelona the 3 points.
#1 Hit | Álex Remiro (Real Sociedad)
Making a total of 5 saves throughout the 90, Real Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro was by far the visitors' best player on the pitch, as if not for him, Real Sociedad should've been at least two goals down in the first half itself.
The club from Basque country have one of the best defensive records in the league, with 12 clean sheets to their name in 26 games. And a major chunk of credit goes to Remiro, who has been incredibly inconsistent for the La Real this season. Last night, he showcased his brilliant reflexes and positioning once again, however, the 24-year old was unlucky to go home empty-handed.
The Spaniard was tested to the tee, both in terms of making saves and being quick against Barça's high press. As a matter of fact, Remiro had a passing accuracy of 79.6%, completing a staggering 10 air balls and a total of 39 passes; played the sweeper-keeper role perfectly against a high-pressing side. Barcelona found it tough to go past him and the keeper barely broke into a sweat. If not for Messi's penalty, Remiro might just have won the player of the match last night at the Camp Nou.
Special mention to Gerard Piqué who once again displayed why he is one of the best defenders of the generation. Getting an early card is often a setback but the 33-year-old held his own, and came out with a heroic performance against the likes of Alexander Isak and Ander Barrenetxea.
Also see | Barcelona 1-0 Real Sociedad: 3 Key moments as Barca win by a lone goal | La Liga 2019-20
