Real Sociedad were beaten to a 1-0 loss by Barcelona. Barcelona pulled ahead soon on courtesy of Aubameyang’s strike, and they hung on for the triumph, showing up one of their finest defensive displays of the term. That is a critical three points for Xavi’s side.
During the second half, Barça was the second finest but clung on with a victory that places them again in the second spot. This is the very first time Real Sociedad have been defeated at home in LaLiga this year – or perhaps even conceded a goal. The Basques fall out on an opportunity to surpass Real Betis and are still in sixth place. Barcelona has yet more injury issues after Piqué, Araujo, and Alves all left the field exhausted.
It’s tough to overvalue the magnitude of this victory for Barcelona, who move to 2nd spot in LaLiga, six points higher than Real Betis in fifth place and eight points ahead of Sociedad. A setback would have inflicted massive damage to Xavi’s aspirations of heading the Catalan titans to Champions League qualification, but remarkable displays from Ter Stegen, Pique, Busquets, and DeJong culminated in a much-needed win.
As things hold, Barcelona will reclaim second place in LaLiga, pumping up their likelihood of qualifying for the Champions League whilst also dealing a major hit to Real Sociedad. Aubameyang shrugged Torres’ cross back to the house after Gavi managed to win the ball over in glorious style. Torres, Aubameyang, and De Jong have all been close to boosting Xavi’s cushion, but Isak wasted a potential to pull the host’s level on the brink of half-time.
Aubameyang’s first-half header earned Barcelona a thumping victory against Real Sociedad. The Blaugrana were compelled to pay in the second half, clutching to their slim advantage despite having lost several players to injury, with Sorloth wasting the hosts’ best attempts to equalise twice. It’s a 5th straight away league victory for Xavi’s squad.