Real Sociedad 1-0 Barcelona

Barcelona was not able to take advantage of Real Madrid loss at Valencia and go top of la Liga table after a 1-0 loss last Sunday at Anoeta.

Real Madrid 2-1 loss against Valencia meant that a victory of Barça will put the Catalans at the top of La Liga, but Jordi Alba’s goal in his own net just two minutes into play at San Sebastian stopped this opportunity.

Barcelona in the last six games at Anoeta, home of Real Sociedad, have drawn two and lost four of the matches. And this defeat has also broken their 11 game unbeaten run, with their last loss against Celta Vigo in early November.

Luis Enrique started the match with two of his starts benched, Lionel Messi and Neymar, after both men had an extra two days Christmas break and returned later than the rest of the team.

But unsurprisingly, both entered the game trying to equalize the score; Messi at half-time and Neymar shortly after. Luis Enrique attempts to bring the three points to Barcelona wasn’t successful and Sociedad lifted themselves three places thanks to the points.

Barça fell behind in the opening exchanges and a corner taken short to Sergio Canales ended with Alba heading the ball into his own net and Claudio Bravo unable to stop it.

Barcelona first effort came late in the match, and did not arrive until the 21st minute with a curled 25 yard free kick of Xavi.

Although Barcelona were dominating the possession, they were not able to score and former Real man Canales was a threat on the counter-attack.

Geronimo Rulli, Sociedad goalkeeper, stopped Pedro effort with his legs while Barcelona continued to press for and equalizer.

Ather the interval, and with Messi in the pitch, Barcelon kept their dominance but the goal did not come.

In the last minutes of the game, a neat interplay between Iniesta and Alba allowed Xavi to have a good opportunity, but his effort was again stopped by Rulli.

Just minutes after, Rulli raced to stop Suarez attempt to go round him and score, but the goalkeeper reacted and kept out the Uruguayan from the net.

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