The Camp Nou has been far from a happy hunting ground for Sociedad, who have not won at Barcelona’s home ground since 1991, yet they will have been more optimistic than usual about picking up the three points this time around.
After all, the Txuri-urdin are enjoying a fantastic season and came into the game on course to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, while there was a chance Barcelona could lack their usual energy and concentration after securing the league title last week at Espanyol.
And so it proved as, with the hosts starting slowly, Sociedad took the lead after just five minutes through Mikel Merino following some good work from Alexander Sorloth down the left flank.
Remarkably, that was only the third goal the Blaugrana had conceded at home in LaLiga this term, and, for a short period, their frustration at going behind propelled them forward.
Ousmane Dembele was denied by Alex Remiro, while Franck Kessie’s goalbound shot was deflected behind by Aritz Elustondo. Robert Lewandowski also wasted a marvellous opportunity to equalise, mistiming a free header with the goal at his mercy, but the visitors eventually composed themselves and created openings of their own.
Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen needed to produce a stunning save to deny Mohamed-Ali Cho, while Ander Barrenetxea twice failed to beat the Germany international from dangerous areas. Still, Imanol Alguacil’s men went into the break with a deserved lead as they looked to rewrite history.
Despite trailing in their penultimate home match of the season, Xavi’s men did not appear particularly eager to force their way back onto level terms. Instead, Sociedad looked far more likely to double their lead, with Sorloth threatening throughout.
In fact, the Norway international eventually proved to be his side’s hero shortly after heading Takefusa Kubo’s free-kick wide of the post, showing composure to finish off a swift counterattack with just under 20 minutes remaining.
In the final minute of normal time, Lewandowski headed into the top corner to halve the deficit but, ultimately, Sociedad held on to prevail and, as such, sit five points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal with three games to play. Whisper it quietly, but elite European football looks set to return to the Basque country.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Alexander Sorloth (Real Sociedad)
