Five speaking factors from Barcelona 1-2 Real Sociedad

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A defeat and a trophy

Barcelona nonetheless in social gathering mode

Barcelona slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad on Saturday, simply the fourth time they've misplaced all season in La Liga.

The group have been partying exhausting all week, and it actually confirmed, as La Real struck early and by no means actually regarded again in opposition to the hungover hosts.

The guests may actually have had extra objectives, however Marc-Andre ter Stegen impressed once more, whereas Barca did handle to get one again late on by means of Robert Lewandowski.

Barcelona’s defeat means little within the grand scheme of issues, however Xavi gained’t need his group to fizzle out totally of their previous few video games.

Video games in opposition to Real Valladolid, Mallorca and Celta Vigo should nonetheless be negotiated, and Xavi will need his gamers to be rather a lot higher than they had been right here.

Araujo’s absence tells

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Barcelona had been with out Ronald Araujo, Pedri and Gavi for the match, but it surely was the defender’s absence that was probably the most notable.

The Catalans conceded twice to take their tally to fifteen for the season in La Liga. With Araujo on the pitch, Barca have solely conceded 5 objectives in La Liga this season. That’s some statistic.

With out Araujo within the group, Barca additionally conceded from open play for the primary time at dwelling all season. Beforehand, the one gamers to have overwhelmed Ter Stegen at dwelling in La Liga had been Araujo himself and Joselu from the penalty spot.

Barca have loads of high quality in defence this season, with Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen, but it surely’s clear that Araujo stays Barcelona’s greatest and most necessary defender.

Zubimendi reveals why Xavi needs him

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Martin Zubimendi shone for Real Sociedad on the Camp Nou and put within the form of efficiency that confirmed precisely why Xavi needs him at Barcelona.

The midfielder was described as “extraordinary” by Xavi in his pre-match press convention and positively lived as much as his repute.

All of Real Sociedad’s play appeared to contain Zubimendi sooner or later. He additionally arrange the second objective for La Real by robbing Frenkie de Jong and setting the guests off on a counter that was completed by Sorloth.

But the possibilities of Zubimendi truly signing for Barca look nearly non-existent. The participant retains insisting he’s completely satisfied at Real Soceidad, signed a brand new contract final 12 months and has a price ticket Barca can’t afford.

Lewandowski a step nearer

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Saturday evening was one other sport and one other objective for Robert Lewandowski who's inching nearer to choosing up the Pichichi award.

The Poland worldwide now has 22 for the season in Spain’s high flight and is 5 away from Karim Benzema forward of Real Madrid’s journey to Valencia later right this moment.

But it won't matter what the Frenchman does as Lewandowski is ending the season again within the objectives.

Saturday’s effort was his fifth in his final 5 video games and there are absolutely extra to come back with three video games of the season left to play for Barcelona.

Can Ter Stegen nonetheless snatch report?

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Lewandowski could also be marching in direction of the Pichichi however Ter Stegen’s hopes of creating historical past took a blow in opposition to Real Sociedad after conceding twice.

The league report is presently held by Deportivo La Coruna who conceded simply 18 objectives and stored 26 clear sheets through the 1993-94 marketing campaign.

Ter Stegen has 25 clear sheets to date and has conceded 15 objectives, which means he’s nonetheless on the right track to beat the report but it surely’s going to be shut.

The German wants yet one more clear sheet to equal the the report however two to personal it outright, and likewise must concede lower than three objectives in his final three video games.

Barca return to motion with a visit to relegation-threatened Real Valladolid earlier than ending off in opposition to Real Mallorca and Celta Vigo.

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