Barcelona lost their second La Liga game in a row after losing 1-0 to Real Sociedad at the Anoeta on Saturday night. A solitary goal from Mikel Oyarzabal was enough for the home side to deny Barcelona three points – a feat they have managed at this ground since they last lost in 2007.
Squads
Real Sociedad: Rulli, Elustondo, Reyes, Gonzales, De La Bella, Prieto, Illarramendi, Granero, Oyarzabal, Vela, Zurutuza
Barcelona: Bravo, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Roberto, Rafinha, Busquets, Arda, Messi, Munir, Neymar
Real Sociedad score early goal and sit back
With one eye on the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid, Luis Enrique fielded a weakened starting lineup making as many as four changes. Arda Turan and Rafinha started in midfield with Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic on the bench. Luis Suarez was suspended for this game so Enrique started Munir El Haddadi in attack.
The Catalan club have not won at the Anoeta since 2007 and they were carved open within five minutes of kickoff. Sociedad’s left winger Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring with a delightful header from near the penalty spot that looped over and away from the diving Claudio Bravo to find the back of the net.
Messi almost punished them soon after with a shot near the post. But the Argentine’s right-footed shot was fired off target as it went over. But it was the home side that threatened to score more with an organised attacking line. In spite of the makeshift XI, Barcelona still had Pique and Mascherano at the back but they were also struggling.
Real Sociedad also countered efficiently while at the back they were solid, leaving no gaps for Barcelona to take advantage of. The visitors were clearly struggling in the final third and Turan’s selection suddenly seemed to be a huge mistake for Enrique as he wasn’t helping matters with his style of driving at defences.
With the slender 1-0 lead, Real Sociedad defended in numbers and even when they won the ball they refused to pour men forward in attack. When Barca did get through their defence, they had Sociedad goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli to contend with and he made a couple of fine saves to deny Barcelona in the first half.
Enrique rings in the changes in the second half
Desperately in need of a goal, Enrique first hooked off Rafinha and brought on Iniesta at the start of the second half. Iniesta almost made a difference within minutes of his introduction as he forced Rulli into making a low save to deny Barcelona an equaliser.
The visitors were clearly struggling with the absence of Suarez and Messi was forced to play more as a striker than an attacking midfielder like he did in the first half. Enrique eventually took Turan off after he came dangerously close to getting a second yellow for a dangerous challenge.
Jordi Alba came on with Sergi Roberto moving to midfield while Alba took his spot at left-back. Rakitic was also warming up and with about 20 minutes to go, he came on for Roberto as Barcelona looked for a goal.
On the other hand, Sociedad manager Eusebio Sacristan was holding off on his substitutions till late in the game as they looked comfortable in defence except for the odd opportunity when Pique, who made a foray forward, controlled the ball in the box to set up Messi. But again, it was Rulli to the rescue with yet another electrifying save to deny the frustrated Argentine forward.
Real Sociedad hang on for the win
Even in the final minutes of the game, Real Sociedad never gave up pressing as fresh legs were introduced in the form of Joseba Zaldua, Ruben Pardo and Hector Litri. Rulli was called into action again to deny Messi a header on goal after Dani Alves had managed to find him with a cross.
In stoppage time, Barcelona even resorted to long ball tactics with Rulli holding firm not once but twice to ensure they had no opportunities inside the box.
As the final whistle blew, the Anoeta erupted as Barcelona lost their second league game in a row after losing the Clasico to Real Madrid last week. The result blew the title race wide open with Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid separated by just four points.
