Real Sociedad frustrate Barcelona at their best

Some days, nothing goes right no matter how well you play. 

That was the story for Barcelona on Sunday at Anoeta, where they produced a footballing masterclass that still did not bring victory. The Blaugrana ran into everything imaginable. First, a Real Sociedad side in outstanding form that somehow won 2–1. Barcelona had three goals ruled out by VAR, saw a Real Sociedad goal stand without VAR intervention, had a penalty overturned by VAR, and hit the post five times. On top of that, Remiro was sensational. Barcelona remain top, but Real Madrid are now just one point back.

Barcelona without Raphinha

That Raphinha is a decisive figure is no secret. So with the Brazilian unavailable, the Barça coach chose not to make a like-for-like change by starting Marcus Rashford, instead altering the system. Dani Olmo and Fermín López were pushed inside alongside Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, a gamble designed to dominate possession at the expense of cutting edge.

That lack of bite was evident in a first half that was nonetheless a Barcelona exhibition. They dismantled Real Sociedad, led by an imperious Lamine Yamal, who suffocated the side coached by Alberto Matarazzo after an early scare when a goal was scored from a clear offside just 27 seconds in.

Barcelona come so close

From there on, it became a matter of millimeters, something all too familiar at Anoeta. Last season, Robert Lewandowski had a controversial goal ruled out by the tip of a foot. This time it was the heel of Lamine Yamal. It was not the only disallowed goal before halftime. Another from Fermín was overturned after VAR spotted a foul on Takefusa Kubo, and a clearer one from De Jong was also chalked off. To cap it all, a penalty awarded in stoppage time for a foul on Lamine Yamal was canceled because of an earlier offside. Add Olmo’s poor finishing on two clear chances created by Lamine Yamal, a dazzling solo run that went unrewarded, and Remiro’s brilliance, and Barcelona’s frustration began to boil over.

That frustration deepened when Oyarzabal scored. Barcelona appealed for a foul on Olmo in the buildup, but this time VAR did not intervene.

Barcelona losing at half time

So the first half ended with Barcelona knowing they had produced one of their best opening periods of the season, yet heading to the locker room behind. The challenge was preventing discouragement from setting in after being repeatedly undone by fine margins. Real Sociedad, for their part, prepared to keep suffering, grit their teeth, and search for a miracle.

The second half picked up where the first left off. Within two minutes of the restart, Barcelona had already hit the post twice. The pressure continued, relentless but luckless.

Barça make changes

After another chance was denied, this time by Remiro saving Ferran Torres, Hansi Flick turned to his bench. João Cancelo, Rashford, and Lewandowski were introduced more in hope of changing the tide than improving the performance. It did not work. Lewandowski’s first effort was turned onto the crossbar by a flying Remiro.

Barcelona finally broke through thanks to another inch-perfect delivery from Lamine Yamal, headed home by Rashford. It looked as though the job was done, but it was clearly not Barcelona’s day. Especially with Pau Cubarsí at the back. The young center back was again too soft in the very next move, allowing Guedes to restore Real Sociedad’s lead.

Cubarsí redeemed himself moments later by clearing Ander Barrenetxea’s header off the line after a play in which the Barcelona goalkeeper appealed for a foul.

With the game wide open, Barcelona hit the woodwork again, this time through Jules Koundé. Flick went all in just before Carlos Soler was sent off for a second reckless challenge. Late on, Rashford struck the post for the fifth time on a night when absolutely nothing went Barcelona’s way.