Real Sociedad 2-2 Barcelona: 3 reasons why the game ended in a draw

Real Sociedad hosted an in-form Barcelona this afternoon in the La Liga, a clash which Imanol Alguacil and his lads were intent on winning in a bid to reach 4th place in the table. Barcelona, however, were not going to go down to their first loss in five La Liga games easily. They were at the top of the domestic table, and did not intend to relinquish their tight lead over Real Madrid. At the end of it all, both teams had to share the spoils in a game that ended 2-2.

An energetic beginning for Sociedad effectively put Barcelona on the back foot for the first ten minutes. Before the visitors could settle into their rhythm, some shirt-dragging by Sergio Busquests during a corner-kick resulted in the referee pointing to the spot without question. 12 minutes into the game, Mikel Oyarzabal put La Real ahead with a well-taken spot-kick that sent Marc-Andre Ter Stegen the wrong way.

Both sides tested the respective goalkeepers with chances until Antoine Griezmann managed to execute a deft chip over La Real goalkeeper Remiro, after he was neatly played in by Luis Suarez. Unluckily for the hosts, Barca's swift goal came just minutes before half-time, and they had to relinquish their lead before entering the break.

Griezmann's goal was perhaps a force of motivation for the visitors, and only four minutes into the first half, Barca scored their second goal of the game to take the lead. In classic Blaugrana style, Busquets picked out Lionel Messi with a perfect pass just as the diminutive magician broke the offside trap with ease. Running at the goal, he squared the ball to Suarez, who scored a simple tap-in.

Ernesto Valverde's men continued to surge forward and create chances in search for another goal, but it was not to be. It was Real Sociedad, however, who did find a much-needed goal to pick up a point from the game. Nacho Monreal's powered cross into the box forced Ter Stegen to parry it away, but the ball only landed fortuitously for Alexander Isak who found the net without any difficulty

Promising chances were foiled or missed as the game progressed - including Merino's close header and Barca's appeal for a penalty - and eventually, it became clear that both sides would have to accept a draw as the best outcome of the game.

Let's take a look at three reasons why both teams ended up sharing the spoils.

#3 Barca found it difficult to control the proceedings

For a possession-oriented team like the Blaugrana, it seemed oddly interesting to watch Real Sociedad take charge of the entire game. While Barca seemed flustered and unable to find their rhythm for long minutes, La Real looked energetic, confident, and self-assured throughout the game, and it showed.

Sociedad powered through the middle of the park, effectively holding onto 54% of the possession throughout the course of the game. They also created a high number of chances, compared to a Barca side that showed sparks of brilliance every once in a while.

The visitors will certainly have their defence to thank, as the results could have been very different on another day.

#2 Real Sociedad couldn't make their chances count

While they kept cool heads and took charge of the proceedings, there was a lot of head-holding and face-palming due to the great number of chances Sociedad wasted throughout the course of the game. Every time La Real got on the ball, they drove forward with precision and intent, but everything ended up getting foiled in the final third.

Their first goal was a spot-kick well taken by Oyarzabal, and the second was thanks to a parried ball that found its way to Isak's foot. None of their well-planned attacks and defence-splitting chances yielded anything more than the home crowd lamenting.

If Sociedad had been more clinical in the final third, the scoreline would certainly look very different. Their missed chances lost them two much needed points today.

#1 Messi, Suarez, and Griezmann kept the team afloat

A notable mention here would be star defender Gerard Pique. The towering centre-back made his presence known to Sociedad, and was a rock in the defence for the Blaugrana. He made fourteen clearances during the game - more than the entire Real team put together. Asides this, he won five aerial challenges and blocked three shots - more than anyone else on the entire pitch.

Each member of the Barcelona attack contributed directly to at least one goal. Messi picked up an assist, Griezmann picked up a goal, and Suarez picked up both an assist and a goal. Without their much-needed contributions, Barca would have had no point to take home.

However, they picked up the rest of the team by the scruff of the neck and scored two goals to come from behind and salvage something.