After the victory of Atlético de Madrid against Eibar on Saturday, FC Barcelona received Real Sociedad at Camp Nou as part of the 33rd day of liga. In case of victory, the Catalan club could take back nine points ahead on his Atletico . And Ernesto Valverde's team dominated Real Sociedad 2-1.
Four days after knocking out Manchester United in the quarterfinals of the Champions League (1-0, 3-0), FC Barcelona found this Saturday La Liga. On behalf of the 33rd day of the championship of Spain, the defending champion crossed the line with Real Sociedad. Strong leader, Barça had the mission to find his nine points ahead of Atlético de Madrid, scorer a little earlier in the day Eibar thanks to Thomas Lemar (1-0). Opposite, Imanol Alguacil's team, tenth with 41 points, wanted to knock down the Catalan club, undefeated in official matches since 23 January, to temporarily take the ninth place at Betis Sevilla. For this meeting, Ernesto Valverde kept his 4-3-3 but threw Semedo, Vidal and Dembélé. On the Basque side, Imanol Alguacil also came out 4-3-3 with his trio Juanmi-Willan José-Oyarzabal in attack.
After a start of the game a bit boring, the Blaugranas were getting a first chance free kick. In front of the surface, Messi darted and sent the ball into the Basque wall (11th). In the game, Ernesto Valverde's men could not find spaces in the middle of Real Sociedad's defense. For their part, Imanol Alguacil's players tried to negotiate a few blocks but Ter Stegen had a rather quiet first half. On the other side of the pitch, still on free-kick, La Pulga was close to the opening score as his coiled shot went just over Rulli's net (27 '). But finally, Real Sociedad got the biggest opportunity in the 36th minute. Found by Rubén Pardo, Juanmi stumbled on Ter Stegen and Willian Jose did not fit behind the empty goal. Nevertheless, Barça settled in the opposing camp and finally found the flaw.
First goal of the season in Liga for Clément Lenglet
After a first alert on a clear center of Jordi Alba (38th) and a parade of Rulli in front of Suarez (42nd), Lenglet opened the scoring with a header from a corner of Dembélé (45th). Thanks to this first La Liga goal from the French defender, Barça led the break. At the end of the locker room, visitors came quickly to set fire to the Catalan camp. In two opposing actions, Ter Stegen saved FC Barcelona (51st, 52nd). But the men of Ernesto Valverde did not show a very good face in this second act, like this incomprehension between the German guard and Jordi Alba that could have been expensive. Dembélé tried to wake his teammates, however, in vain since his shot flirted with the opposite amount (58th). Behind, Messi found Llorente on his way (61st). And by dint of pushing, Real Sociedad equalized after the hour of play.
Not attacked in the midfield, Merino delivered a marvel of pass to Juanmi. In the area, the latter was ahead of Ter Stegen and sent the ball at the bottom of the nets at the end of the race (62nd, 1-1). Unfortunately for the visitors, their joy was short lived. For only two minutes later, Jordi Alba restored the advantage to the Blaugranas with a nice shot from the right foot (54th, 2-1). In front of the scoreboard, the Spanish champions in title then tried to drive the point. Served by Suarez, Rakitic saw his shot end in the small outside net (79). For his part, Vidal missed very little of the third goal Catalan since the Chilean international did not fit his attempt at the far post on a free kick shot by Messi (81). In the end, FC Barcelona won 2-1 against Real Sociedad. The Catalan side will face Spain on Tuesday against Alavés on day 34 of La Liga, while Real Sociedad challenge Villarreal on Thursday.
