La Liga 2016/17: Real Sociedad 1-1 FC Barcelona: 5 Talking Points

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 27:  Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona duels for the ball with Asier Illarramendi and Xabier Prieto of Real Sociedad during the La Liga match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and FC Barcelona at Estadio Anoeta on November 27, 2016 in San Sebastian, Spain.  (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
FC Barcelona were lucky to draw against Real Sociedad as the hosts made life difficult for them

#5 Luis Enrique makes a puzzling substitution

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 22:  Luis Enrique manager of Barcelona speaks to the media during the FC Barcelona press conference at Celtic Park Stadium on November 22, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland.  (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The pressure on Luis Enrique increased after a disappointing performance against Real Sociedad

Enrique opted to play Andre Gomes ahead of Dennis Suarez as the Portuguese looks like a player who the manager prefers over the young Spaniard, having also started in their Champions League game against Manchester City.

Gomes could not influence the game yet it was Ivan Rakitic who made way in the second half for Dennis Suarez.

Suarez made a huge impact but it should have been Gomes who should have been replaced as he failed as he wasn’t influential on the game and also lost possession on a number of occasions. Luis Enrique described the draw as a miracle but it could have been a different story had Suarez started the game or Gomes been benched for the second half.

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