Barcelona’s impressive run hit a bump as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad, only their second La Liga loss so far of the 2024-25 season. Missing their teenage sensation Lamine Yamal due to injury, Barca looked unusually off-balance and uninspired.
Sociedad, who had struggled to find consistency this season, found an opportunity to outplay the league leaders and took it with confidence.
Real Sociedad’s victory didn’t come by chance; they came out hungry from the first whistle, driven to make a statement. Sheraldo Becker’s first-half goal proved decisive, with the forward expertly finishing after a well-worked buildup. Sociedad could have easily doubled or even tripled the lead, as they created several excellent chances, pressuring Barca’s defence and exposing gaps throughout the evening.
Barcelona, known for their creativity and fluid attacking play, looked oddly flat without Yamal, who had been pivotal in their recent successes. The 17-year-old star missed the match due to a knock sustained during their Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade.
Yamal’s absence was noticeable, especially as Barca struggled to create meaningful chances, failing to register a single shot on target. Some fans and pundits reckon his absence tilted the scales in Sociedad’s favour, with the team missing the spark that he so often provides on the wing.
The night’s frustration was compounded for Robert Lewandowski, who thought he had equalised for Barca late in the first half. However, his goal was controversially ruled out for offside—a decision that sparked debate among fans and had Hansi Flick on the sidelines voicing his disapproval. With limited chances and no breakthrough, the Catalan side was left looking at their first setback in several weeks.
Barcelona had previously been on a strong run, winning four consecutive matches at Sociedad’s home ground in San Sebastian. But on this visit, the team looked far from the dominant side they’ve been this season, as Sociedad’s disciplined defence and quick counterattacks unsettled them.
Frenkie de Jong, typically a central figure in midfield, had a quiet performance and was eventually replaced by Dani Olmo. Yet Olmo’s introduction brought little change, as Barca’s attack remained disjointed and struggled to penetrate Sociedad’s back line.
For Barcelona fans, the lack of attacking cohesion was concerning, especially with Real Madrid close behind them in the title race. Madrid now sits six points back with a game in hand, adding to the pressure on Barca to stay consistent. With the season at a crucial turning point, Barcelona can’t afford more missteps if they hope to maintain their lead.
Meanwhile, Sociedad, who hadn’t started their season as well as they would have hoped, finally delivered a performance to remind everyone of their potential. For them, this victory could signal the start of a turnaround, as they demonstrated the kind of quality that could push them higher up the table if they maintain it.
As for Barcelona, Hansi Flick now faces the challenge of reshaping his team to cope without the young brilliance of Lamine Yamal if his absence is extended. With high-stakes games looming, including matches against title rivals and European fixtures, Barcelona will need to rediscover the cohesion and attacking threat that has defined their season so far.
Fans will be hoping that the defeat was just a minor setback rather than the beginning of any sustained dip in form.
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