Real Sociedad 2-2 Barcelona: 4 Talking Points as Blaugrana are held away from home

Barcelona played out a 2-2 draw with Real Sociedad at the San Santisteban, with a 12th-minute penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a second-half strike by Alexander Isak cancelling out goals from Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez.

Both sides came into the clash in fine form, with the Catalans sitting joint-top while Sociedad were a little behind in 4th-place.

The hosts started on the front foot and put Barcelona under pressure in the early moments of the game and were deservedly in front when Oyarzabal converted from 12 yards after Diego Llorente was felled in the box by Sergio Busquets.

From then on, it was one-way traffic and Real Sociedad could have gone 2-0 up but for some poor finishing. Barcelona struggled to get a foothold in the game but pulled a goal from nothing when Antoine Griezmann levelled matters with his 6th goal of this season in the 38th minute.

Luis Suarez put Barcelona in the lead two minutes into the second half but Isak ensured both sides shared the spoils in the 62nd minute. Here, we shall be highlighting four talking points from the matchday 17 fixture.

4. Barcelona fail to build on recent momentum

It is no secret that Barcelona struggled in the early part of the campaign and posted consecutive disappointing results by losing to Leganes and drawing with Slavia Prague in the Champions League. The Catalans have, however, rallied back from that stalemate and won six consecutive matches in all competitions, with impressive wins over Dortmund, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan recorded in this sequence.

The most impressive was the 2-1 victory with a second-string team away to an in-form Inter Milan who had everything to play for. In light of that win and the rest afforded to key first-team players, Ernesto Valverde would have sought to build on that to make it seven consecutive wins but Real Sociedad put up a masterclass to put spoil Barcelona's plans.

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3. Real Sociedad continue impressive start to campaign

Real Sociedad have been one of the most impressive teams outside the traditional clubs in LaLiga this season and came into this clash occupying the final Champions League spot. The Basque outfit have been moulded into a compact side very difficult to break down under Imanol Alguacil's management and their charge upfront has been led by players like Oyorzobal, Martin Odegaard, Portu and Alexander Isak.

Despite the pedigree and quality of players available to their visitors, Sociedad took the game to Barcelona and put them on the back foot for most of the match.

With the draw, they move one point clear of Getafe into 4th place after 17 matches which is not bad considering that they have played Barcelona, Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, and Real Madrid.

2. Barcelona hand initiative to Real Madrid ahead of crunch El Clasico

Real Madrid and Barcelona are the two biggest teams in Spain and are always in the running for trophies both domestically and on the continent. This season, both sides have overcome poor starts to consolidate their positions joint-top of the standings.

Local political tension earlier in the season led to a postponememt of thr first El Clasico of the season and both sides have gone head to head in their quest for dominance. Barcelona held the advantage coming into this week owing to their better goal difference but this advantage is in danger of being wiped out.

The draw saw Barcelona move one point clear of their eternal rivals but a victory for Real Madrid against Valencia would wipe out this advantage and swing to pendulum in their favor ahead of the El Clasico.

1. Antoine Griezmann comes good on return to Sociedad

Antoine Griezmann was made Barcelona's marquee signing of the summer when he completed a protracted transfer from Atletico for the sum of €120m. It has, however, not gone to plan for the French international but he is slowly getting into gear for the Blaugrana.

The 28-year-old was handed his professional debut by Real Sociedad in 2009 and he spent five years at the club before going on to achieve superstardom at Atletico. He marked his return to the club with a well-taken goal, calmly dinking the ball over Alex Remiro after being played through by Luis Suarez to give Barcelona the impetus when they looked devoid of ideas.

This was almost identical to his goal against Mallorca last week and is indicative of a man regaining his identity. Five of Griezmann's six goals have opened the scoring for Barcelona and with Real Madrid coming up, fans of the club would hope he can keep up his recent form.

Edited by Vishal Subramanian

Real Sociedad 2-2 Barcelona: 4 Talking Points as Blaugrana are held away from home | LaLiga 2019-20

4. Barcelona fail to build on recent momentum

3. Real Sociedad continue impressive start to campaign

2. Barcelona hand initiative to Real Madrid ahead of crunch El Clasico

1. Antoine Griezmann comes good on return to Sociedad