Real Sociedad 2-2 Barcelona
Critics say this Barcelona side is not playing well – and to an extent, this SBOBET observer would agree.
However, in travelling to the Basque Country, it was easy to forget not only were the Catalans top of La Liga but they had just sealed their 150th Champions League win as they reached the knockout stages for the 19th season in a row.
If this is below par, then most clubs the world over would take it!
Highlights of the game
The pre-match La Liga 2019 news saw Jordi Alba ready to start after recovering from an injury, while Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic retained his spot in the starting line-up.
For the hosts, an injury to Artiz Elustondo and the suspension to Robin Le Normand meant Igor Zubeldia dropped back alongside Diego Llorente at centre-back, so Ander Guevara featured in midfield.
Imanol Alguacil’s side had struggled at home recently, with just two victories – against Real Betis and Eibar – in their last five outings.
Yet just 11 minutes in and they were celebrating after home pressing caused Barca to lose their defensive shape.
Llorente had his shirt pulled in the box by Sergio Busquets and Mikel Oyarzabal clinically converted from the spot, sending goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way.
The opener buoyed Sociedad’s confidence and they made much of the running for the remainder of the first half, including going close to a second from an Alexander Isak header.
It seemed there may be more fuel to the fire for the Barca’s critics, but up popped the one player home fans would have dreaded getting on the scoresheet.
Antoine Griezmann has been whistled by the crowd every time he’s returned since leaving Sociedad for Atletico Madrid in 2014 – the French World Cup winner came through the academy at La Real before becoming a star in La Liga during his spell in the first team.
Though, here he was, clipping home an equaliser after receiving a Luis Suarez pass. To his credit, the Barca number seven refused to celebrate against his former club.
Despite being second-best for spells, it was further proof why Barcelona can often win when it matters the most.
Sure enough, just four minutes after the restart, the La Liga 2019 betting odds turned in their favour once more.
Busquets lifted a ball over the top to captain Lionel Messi and the Argentinian wizard – recently voted the world’s top player of 2019 – unselfishly squared for Suarez to fire the champions in front.
If Alex Remiro had not denied Griezmann or Gerard Pique seen a header cleared off the line moments later, the contest could have been beyond the home side, but they kept battling and Martin Odegaard – on-loan from Barca’s arch-rivals Real Madrid – worked hard to push the hosts forward.
In fact, it will be a surprise if the Norwegian isn’t given the opportunity next season to play regularly in a Madrid shirt.
They were duly rewarded on the hour when Isak rifled home after ter Stegen had parried away a delivery from former Arsenal man Nacho Monreal.
It was to prove the 20-year-old Swede’sfinal contribution but the belief in the hosts’ ranks remained. It required desperate defending from Barca to keep them out with Willian Jose and Mikel Merino seeing efforts saved and blocked.
Rakitic went close at the other end before there was some late controversy involving a possible penalty for the visitors for a shirt pull on Pique by Llorente, but overall the draw was a fair result after a scintillating 90 minutes of football.
Sociedad, for now, are up to fourth in the table.
Key statistics
This was Griezmann’s second goal at Anoeta since leaving Real Sociedad in 2014. He also bagged for Atletico in October 2015.
Messi has assisted five of Suarez’s last six club goals.
Barcelona have conceded three penalties this season. That is the most in a season since 2014-15 when they gave away five.
Barca had less than 50 per cent possession – only the fourth time in the top flight under coach Ernesto Valverde. Two have been against Sociedad and the others against Real Betis and Las Palmas.
What’s next?
Sociedad face minnows Becerril in the second round of the Copa del Rey on Thursday night (December 19). They then meet Osasuna next weekend before La Liga pauses for a brief winter break.
Barca host Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the new season – a match which last season led to Real sacking their manager – before hosting Alaves a week today.
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