Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona – Spanish La Liga Review (Part 3)
On the other hand, Real Sociedad played their first team and tried to take advantage of Barcelona playing their second choice team.
Martin Lasarte decided to play Claudio Bravo in between the two poles. Bravo was assisted by four defenders: Vadim Demidov, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Martinez-c24468.
Real Sociedad fielded a 4-3-3 formation with Antoine Griezmann, Markel Bergara and Xabi Prieto in the mid-field. The front three were http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Raul-c30652 Tamudo.
As the game kicked-off, Josep Guardiola’s men pushed forward in order to take an early advantage. With a number of young players in the team, Barcelona tried to put pressure on Real Sociead. A goal finally came for Thiago Alcantara, who was able to chip
the ball over Bravo to give Barcelona the lead.
In the second half, substitute Diego Ifran was able to equalise and later http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Javier-Mascherano-c18071 gifted the home team with a penalty, which was converted by Xabi Prieto to seal the game for Sociedad.
Real Sociedad started the game well. With Barcelona having a three man mid-field, it was hard for them to create chances as the home team build pressure and did not allow Barcelona to play free flowing football.
The first real opportunity of the game fell to Real Sociedad, when Tamudo found himself alone in the penalty area after a wonderful cross from Xabi Prieto. Even though Tamudo connected well, his shot drifted wide off the target.
After the first opportunity was wasted by Real Sociedad, Barcelona finally started to find their feet on the ground. The Catalans settled well into the game and started to move the ball around to trouble their opposition.
After dictating play for a few minutes, the Spanish Champions finally made a break-through. It was near the half hour mark when Barcelona moved the ball around and settled outside the oppositions’ 18-yard box.
A pass from Xavi Hernandez almost found http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-c34888 Alcantara picked the ball outside the box and got past his marker to lob the ball over the
on-rushing Claudio Bravo. It was an outstanding goal scored by the young http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 star.
With the first goal being scored in favour of Barcelona, the Catalans took advantage of the lead and started to pass their way out of the first half. The Spanish Champions looked as if they were comfortable with a 0-1 away win, as it would have taken them
eleven points clear from Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga.
Messi still wanted to become a part of something up front. The Argentinean had an opportunity to score from right outside the 18-yard box. Messi dribbled past two players and took his shot on goal, which was deflected by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vadim-Demidov-c35769. The ball was volleyed
towards the goal but it could not really find the target.
Barcelona were in complete control of the game in the first half as the referee blew the half-time whistle. The Spanish Champions were looking strong with their passing and moved the ball around well, to tire their opposition.
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