Barcelona fell to a 1-0 defeat in opposition to Actual Sociedad on Sunday night, recording their first loss on the Anoeta since 2016.
The Catalan giants appeared a shell of their ordinary selves once they travelled to face La Actual within the league, lacking the likes of 17-year-old Lamine Yamal. Normally dependable stars Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha have been unable to get something previous Sociedad, whereas Barca failed to attain a single objective for the primary time in 31 years.
The league leaders might be happy to see a global break across the nook after trying each fatigued and sloppy.
How the sport unfolded
It was end-to-end soccer from the offset within the Basque Nation.
Barcelona thought that they had ran away with an early lead simply minutes into the conflict, as assured striker Lewandowski fired a shot into the again of the web. The Catalan aspect loved momentary celebrations earlier than VAR dominated the Polish worldwide’s effort narrowly offside.
Clearly motivated by Barca’s shut effort, Sociedad leaped into motion. Takefusa Kubo virtually put his aspect forward on the half-hour mark, flicking a left-footed assault from the proper aspect of the field in direction of Inaki Pena. The Barca shot-stopper made a intelligent save to disclaim the hosts the lead, however it did not take lengthy for Sociedad’s efforts to materialise.
Sheraldo Becker made his strike rely moments later, beating Pau Cubarsi to the field earlier than sending the ball into the underside proper nook of the web.
La Actual set the tone for the remainder of the half, dominating possession and ending Barca’s hopes of stealing one again. The guests have been fortunate to return to their dressing room only one objective behind the high-flying hosts.
When play resumed, Barca nonetheless appeared a great distance off their ordinary greatness. They struggled to take care of possession, create possibilities and finally threaten their opponents.
The Catalans simply couldn’t discover a means again into the sport, with virtually each participant on the pitch failing to drive any advancing play. Because the minutes ticked by, it turned clear that La Actual had derailed the Spanish leaders.
Barca headed into the November worldwide break off the again of their second La Liga lack of 2024/25.
GK: Inaki Pena – 6/10 – A really inconsistent displaying from Pena between the sticks. His distribution and eagerness to clear the ball away from his field proved harmful on a number of events, whereas his lack of ability to deal with Sociedad’s excessive press made him a legal responsibility at instances.
RB: Jules Kounde – 5/10 – The often dependable Kounde appeared to falter when met with La Actual’s assault. He usually appeared stranded on the proper, making an attempt to play the ball ahead whereas none of his teammates have been forward of him.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – 5/10 – Cubarsi was nervy, maybe after his damage in midweek. He made a number of line-breaking passes, however was no match for the likes of Becker.
CB: Inigo Martinez – 6/10 – Like his teammates, Martinez had an uncharacteristically poor outing. He appeared sluggish when pressured to compete with La Actual’s midfielders and misplaced essential passes.
LB: Alejandro Balde – 5/10 – Balde misplaced virtually all of his crosses and struggled to facilitate any possibilities for his aspect. The left-back struggled to outsmart Kubo – permitting his opponent to run away with possibilities,
DM: Marc Casado – 6/10 – Appeared to look extra assured when Dani Olmo got here into the sport at half-time, however nonetheless made virtually no affect in midfield. Cascado refused to get entangled in any helpful duels.
DM: Frenkie de Jong – 4/10 – De Jong performed simply 45 minutes however had a really lengthy night in opposition to La Actual. Health points have plagued the midfielder, and as soon as once more he was hesitant to get caught in. Left the sphere in discomfort.
RW: Fermin Lopez – 4/10 – Got here into the sport instead of Lamine Yamal however made no comparisons with the proficient teenager. Lopez didn’t ship a single likelihood or shot on the right track, failing to supply something from the proper.
AM: Pedri – 6/10 – Shifted in direction of the left aspect of the pitch within the second-half and was capable of provide extra from there. Was pressured to cowl for quite a lot of his teammates, forsaking his ordinary duties.
LW: Raphinha – 6/10 – Struggled to obtain any service from his teammates and subsequently discovered it laborious to aim any pictures within the closing third. His technical skill solely went thus far on this recreation.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – 5/10 – Was unfortunate to see his first try dominated offside, however Lewandowski had virtually no involvement within the recreation after his preliminary strike.
Substitutes
SUB: Dani Olmo (45′ for De Jong) – 5/10
SUB: Ansu Fati (68′ for Lopez) – 6/10
SUB: Gavi (84′ for Kounde) – N/A
SUB: Pau Victor (90′ for Pedri) – N/A
Subs not used: Sergi Dominguez, Ander Astralaga (GK), Wojciech Szczesny (GK), Andreas Cuenca, Gerard Martin, Pablo Torre.
Supervisor
Hansi Flick – 5/10 – Flick will happy to see the November worldwide break on the horizon after Sunday’s defeat. His aspect appeared drained and weak in opposition to La Actual.
