Barcelona faced a surprising 1-0 loss against Real Sociedad in LaLiga on Sunday, marking the end of their impressive seven-match winning streak across all competitions. Sheraldo Becker scored the decisive goal for the Basque team in the first half, leaving Barça in a rare position of defeat after not losing in over a month. This match represented only their second loss in the domestic season, highlighting the challenge they encountered against a dominant home side.
Despite going into the match with the most potent offense in Europe’s top five leagues, boasting 40 goals, Barcelona struggled significantly, failing to register any shots on target throughout the match. They currently maintain their lead in the standings with 33 points, holding a six-point advantage over Real Madrid, who have a game in hand. Atletico Madrid trails in third with 26 points, while Real Sociedad sits in eighth place with 18 points.
The absence of teenager Lamine Yamal, who was sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained during their Champions League match against Red Star Belgrade, was felt in the game. Barcelona believed they had taken the lead early when Robert Lewandowski scored a rebound in the 13th minute, but the goal was disallowed by VAR for offside.
Real Sociedad took control following this, with Barcelona goalkeeper Iñaki Peña making a crucial save against a free kick from Mikel Oyarzabal. Becker capitalized on a defensive lapse to score in the 33rd minute after outrunning the offside trap. The home side continued to create and miss several chances, with Barça’s defense under significant pressure as they narrowly avoided going into halftime at a greater deficit.
In the second half, while Becker squandered more scoring opportunities, Peña remained vigilant, making key saves against attempts from Oyarzabal, Take Kubo, and Brais Méndez. Barcelona came close to equalizing with Fermín López’s deflected strike in the 57th minute, which was expertly managed by Sociedad’s goalkeeper, Álex Remiro.
Barcelona’s Pedri acknowledged the difficulties presented by Real Sociedad’s pressing game, expressing optimism about the team’s overall performance. “We weren’t accurate today, and I think it’ll be a one-day thing. The team is doing well and it’s nothing to worry about,” he said, reinforcing the mindset that this setback is simply a hurdle to overcome. With the international break ahead, the team plans to regroup and learn from this experience.
In summary, this defeat may serve as a valuable lesson for Barcelona, encouraging them to refocus and enhance their performance as the season progresses. The team’s strong position at the top of the table demonstrates their ongoing potential, promising an exciting path ahead.