La Liga, Anoeta - Real Sociedad 1dad (Alba og 2) Barcelona 0
Barcelona failed to make the most of Real Madrid’s slip-up against Valencia, suffering defeat themselves to David Moyes’ Real Sociedad side. Luis Enrique made a number of surprise selections, with both Lionel Messi and Neymar left out of the starting line-up as the Barca boss looked to freshen up his team, but the decision backfired almost immediately when Jordi Alba headed into his own goal within three minutes. The Catalans struggled to find any sort of rhythm in the first half, with Luis Suarez toiling due to a lack of service from those around him. And with Real Sociedad holding form chances were at a premium for Barcelona. Messi was introduced at the break, replacing Munir El Haddadi who made scant impression in the first half, but not even Barcelona’s talismanic number 10 could spark their ailing frontline into life. However, Neymar - who was also introduced in the second half - had grounds to feel aggrieved in stoppage time, when he was penalised for kicking the ball from goalkeeper’s Geronimo Rulli’s hands.
But the Sociedad number one looked to have thrown the ball cleanly into the air, meaning the goal he subsequently scored should have stood. Just two points now separate the top three teams in La Liga following Real Madrid’s defeat and Atletico Madrid’s victory over Levante on Saturday, with the Spanish title race tightening after the winter break. Meanwhile, Moyes was left to savour one of the most famous nights of his career as he produced a response to his many critics.
KEY EVENTS 3’ - GOAL! Real Sociedad 1 Barcelona 0: What a start for Sociedad! Prieto's cross from the left side is headed into his own net by Alba. Sociedad have the lead!
22’ - XAVI FREE-KICK: That wasn't too far away! Xavi lines up the freekick from about 20 yards out, curling his shot towards goal. But his effort flashes over the crossbar, with Rulli scrambling to reach it.
34’ - PENALTY CLAIM: Was that a penalty kick? Inigo's arm looked to be outstretched when Pedro's cross came into the box, but the referee shakes his head, much to Barcelona's anger. That looked to be a handball, for sure.
61’ - PRIETO HEADER: Real Sociedad come very close to doubling their lead! De La Bella swings an excellent ball into the box, with Bravo getting underneath it. Prieto rises highest but heads just over the bar.
63’ - NEYMAR CHANCE: Huge chance for Barcelona! Neymar dribbles the ball into the path of Messi, who seemed to create a shooting chance out of nothing, but Inigo makes a crucial last ditch challenge.
86’ - RULLI TO THE RESCUE: Great intervention from Rulli in the Real Sociedad goal! Suarez breaks through and tries to round the keeper but he gets there first to make an interception to stop the Barca striker.
87’ - RULLI SAVE: And now a huge save from Rulli! Suarez heads towards goal from close range, forcing the Real Sociedad keeper into a stop, pushing the ball high into the air. Great stop from the youngster.
93’ - NEYMAR DISALLOWED GOAL: Right at the end of the game Real Sociedad are let off! Neymar nicks the ball from Rulli after the goalkeeper had thrown it into the air to kick it, but the Brazilian is penalised when his goal should have stood!
KEY STATS Real Sociedad are the first team to win in Liga home games against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the same season since Sevilla in the 2006/07 season. With two, Jordi Alba has scored more own goals than any other player in La Liga this season.
TALKING POINT How will Luis Enrique explain his baffling team selection? When the Barcelona team sheet was submitted two players were notable in their absence: Messi and Neymar. The former spent the winter break flying to South America and Japan for marketing purposes, so was Enrique punishing Messi? If he was, the Barca boss cut off his nose to spite his face. His selection will be ruthlessly picked apart in the Catalan press.
MAN OF THE MATCH Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad): The centre-back has been a mainstay of the Real Sociedad team for so long, it’s easy to forget that he’s only 23. And this was one of Martinez’s best performances for the club, dealing with everything Europe’s most dangerous frontline threw at him all game. He was impressive in the air, his man-marking was impressive and was impressive in bringing the ball out of defence too.
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Sociedad: Rulli 6, De La Bella 6, Inigo 8, Ansotegi 6, Martinez 6, Granero 6, Markel 6, Castro 7, Canales 7, Prieto 6, Vela 6. Subs: Finnbogason 6, Pardo, Yuri.
Barcelona: Bravo 6, Alba 5, Mathieu 5, Mascherano 6, Montoya 6, Iniesta 5, Busquets 5, Xavi 6, Pedro 5, Suarez 7, Munir 5. Subs: Messi 6, Neymar 6, Alves 5.
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