Barcelona has had to swallow a defeat in its own Spotify Camp Nou. Xavi’s team, which officially became champion last week, turned out to be the lesser of Real Sociedad on Saturday evening: 1-2. Before the break, a mistake by Jules Koundé led to Mikel Merino’s opening goal, after which Alexander Sørloth made it 0-2 fifteen minutes before the end. Robert Lewandowski’s connection goal came too late. Thanks to the victory, number four Sociedad is now five points clear of Villarreal, which hoped for a victory from Barça after its late victory earlier in the day. However, the fourth Champions League ticket seems to go to the Basque Country.
Despite the fact that the national title has already been won, trainer Xavi chose to let many of his best players start against Sociedad. However, there were three changes compared to the championship game with Espanyol (2-4 win). Jordi Alba, Franck Kessié and Ousmane Dembélé replaced Ronald Araújo, Pedri (both injured) and the suspended Gavi. Frenkie de Jong was back in the base. At Sociedad, former FC Groningen striker Sørloth started in the striker.
Oh dear! Koundé goes into the ???????? ??
Barcelona falls behind against Real Sociedad at home… ??#ZiggoSport #LaLiga #BarcaRealSociedad pic.twitter.com/hamiIXzGVV— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) May 20, 2023
Sociedad had a dream start in the Spotify Camp Nou, because after five minutes it was 0-1. Jules Koundé lost the ball around the halfway line, Sørloth put the ball wide and Merino hit Marc-André ter Stegen. In the following phase, Barcelona was close to the equalizer several times. For example, goalkeeper Álex Remiro saved a header from Dembélé, Martín Zubimendi narrowly prevented Kessié from scoring with a tackle and Lewandowski headed over from close range.
On the other side of the field, Sociedad was also close to scoring the second goal of the match three times after half an hour and thus doubling the score. However, the visitors did not score before the break, because Ander Barrenetxea (shot straight at Ter Stegen), Mohamed-Ali Cho (rescue Ter Stegen with foot) and again Barrenetxea (spooned the ball over) were unable to finish their chances.
The champion has it ???????????????? ??
What should have been a big party seems less fun, Real Sociedad makes it 0-2… ??#ZiggoSport #LigaPortugalbwin #FCFFCP pic.twitter.com/w1QzPYYiLT— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) May 20, 2023
Barcelona was also uninspiring after the break. Xavi’s side played at a slow pace and it was clear that Sociedad still had a lot to play for. After 65 minutes, Sørloth should have made it 0-2. The Norwegian received an excellent cross, but headed wide about two meters from goal. Sørloth got another big chance not much later and this time it was a hit. Zubimendi served the completely uncovered Sørloth, who coolly shot the ball behind Ter Stegen with his left: 0-2. The goalkeeper prevented Diego Rico from celebrating a goal in the final phase. Lewandowski headed in the 1-2 just before time, but an equalizer was no longer possible.