Rather a lot was mentioned in regards to the weird aim distinction between Barcelona and Actual Sociedad forward of final night time’s conflict at Reale Area. The previous, in any case, are La Liga’s top-scoring facet whereas the latter had recorded the least objectives within the league.
A parallel script, nevertheless, was round their comparable defensive document the place the Basque facet narrowly edged Barcelona. That, in the long run, was sarcastically the deciding issue.
Hansi Flick’s facet struggled to interrupt down La Actual’s defence all through the 90 minutes and had been outplayed in largely all features of the sport. The one aim got here from Sheraldo Becker within the thirty third minute and that proved to be decisive.
Barça Common brings you three takeaways from Actual Sociedad 1-0 Barcelona.
Humbled ultimately
A periodic actuality verify is critical for each workforce, even Europe’s most dominant forces and final night time supplied precisely that for Barcelona. In any case, it highlighted a number of deep-seated issues and issues that should be addressed.
Sunday night time’s efficiency was underwhelming from the Catalans throughout the sphere. The defence regarded leakier than normal whereas the likes of Pedri in midfield regarded comparatively exhausted.
Even the attackers Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski had been removed from their influential greatest within the last third and regarded moderately fatigued and the commentary attracts severe consideration as to if Flick’s system is sustainable in the long term.
With the brand new dynamics demanding loads from the gamers bodily, it’s not straightforward to maintain the identical stage week in and week out for the complete season and the truth that gamers like De Jong and Lewandowski left limping confirms that worry.
Sunday can nicely to dismissed as an off night time for the complete workforce and there might not be a lot to learn into because the two-week hiatus might serve them nicely. Credit score the place it’s due, nevertheless, Actual Sociedad had been very spectacular with their play.
La Actual pressed relentlessly for 90 minutes, stopping Barcelona from having any sort of momentum or grip on the sport. Lamine Yamal’s absence solely helped them as Barcelona’s counter-attacking risk was considerably decreased.
On the ball, their play was chic as they slipped by the excessive defensive position with ease and beat the offside entice with exactly timed runs from the second line.
Actual Sociedad’s efficiency final night time will function a template for all groups going through Barcelona right here on. Flick didn’t have the solutions yesterday however should conjure options quickly.
The VAR tragedy strikes
VAR had been very form to Barcelona up till final night time’s conflict, regularly ruling out opposition objectives rightly for offside with little to no controversy. Simply when it was showing to be too good to be true, tragedy struck and the Blaugrana’s nemesis struck tragically.
Lewandowski’s aim final night time will likely be talked about for the months to come back given the match state of affairs, the ultimate consequence and the atrocious name that was made regardless of the presence of semi-automated VAR and it’s clear that no quantity of expertise can guarantee 100% precision.
The Polish striker initially opened the scoring within the first half with a well-worked end and celebrated the aim rightfully. In actual fact, Barcelona took the aim without any consideration and even the replay confirmed him to be clearly onside.
The semi-automated VAR, nevertheless, misinterpret the defender’s foot to be Lewandowski’s and deemed him to be offside from a place the place he was clearly onside, denying Barcelona the lead.
Had the guests scored first, the story might nicely have taken a distinct flip. In any case, they had been wanting good till that time limit.
Undoing of the benefit
Barcelona earned a hard-fought and strong six-point lead over Actual Madrid two matchdays in the past enjoying in El Clasico and successful at Santiago Bernabeu.
All of that went to useless final night time because the Catalans dropped three full factors and had been unable to even salvage a draw towards Actual Sociedad.
For all their constructive showings in La Liga this season, Barcelona have dropped factors purely in losses and their two defeats are equal to a few attracts.
Their lead over Los Blancos is now decreased to a mere six factors. Contemplating that the arch-rivals have a recreation in hand, furthermore, it might boil down to only three factors.
Nonetheless, the Barcelona followers will hope that Flick can establish the difficulty and are available again with higher dynamics within the subsequent recreation.
