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Barcelona rallied to beat La Liga leaders Real Sociedad 2-1 at the Camp Nou on Wednesday to climb to fifth place in the table.
Willian José opened the scoring against the game’s streak in the 27th minute, but goals from Jordi Alba and Frenkie de Jong gave Barça the lead before the break.
The loss was Real Sociedad’s first away from home this season and allowed Atlético de Madrid to surpass them at the top of the table on goal difference.
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Positive
Barça was good for 45 minutes and had the bad luck to be left behind. They could have scored three or four in the first half, settling for two when they came from behind to win for the first time this season. After the break, they showed the other side of their game, digging to maintain their lead while The real pushed. This was Barça’s most complete performance in La Liga in months.
Alba’s departure from the left, Pedri’s role in a three-man midfield and the young center-back couple of Ronald Araujo and Oscar Mingueza stood out.
Negative
Coach Ronald Koeman’s main complaint this season has been not to take risks and that was Barça’s problem here again, although this time it did not torment them again.
Antoine Griezmann was good, he took good positions and that’s why he had so many chances, but some of his failures, namely the two-yard fault in the second half, were unforgivable. Martin Braithwaite also missed a good opportunity and Barça were forced to hold out at the end.
Manager rating out of 10
6 – Koeman was rewarded for his bravery as he pitted Araujo and Mingueza ahead of the more experienced Clement Lenglet, while Pedri fitted much better in midfield three than Philippe Coutinho on Sunday against Levante.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players submitted after 70 minutes are not rated)
GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 6 years old – He got to work for his clean sheet at the end, making a brilliant save from Alexander Isak after pouring out Willian José’s original effort.
DF Sergino Dest, 6 – Pedri’s good cross to head from the start and he worked hard on defense.
DF Ronald Araujo, 6 – Strong and fast but a bit hasty. I came out with a couple of challenges in and around the area that could have been penalized.
DF Oscar Mingueza, 7 – Well played. Quick on the ground and good on the ball. That said, his only mistake came close to scoring a goal for Real Sociedad. Luckily, Pedri came back to help him.
DF Jordi Alba, 8 – He delivered his goal brilliantly with his weaker right foot, setting up the other goal for De Jong and putting another on a layup for Griezmann. He now has six assists and one goal to his name this season.
MF Sergio Busquets, 6 – Another low-key performance that ended early in the second half after a reservation for an awkward challenge.
MF Frenkie de Jong, 7 – A second encouraging performance in a week. He has more license to get ahead in a three-man midfield and capped his display with a goal.
MF Pedri, 7 – He does not stop running and pressing but he can also play. He had highlights on both ends: Braithwaite trained brilliantly in the first half and tirelessly covered Mingueza in the second half, taking a hit off the post in the process.
FW Antoine Griezmann, 6 – He missed a babysitter from two yards but played well and could have scored three on another night. Also, he hit the bottom of the bar and saw another well-saved shot.
OF Lionel Messi, 7 – His fingerprints were on both goals despite not setting them up. He played selflessly for much of the night.
FW Martin Braithwaite, 6 – He worked hard and offered pace and overall strength. I missed a great opportunity.
Substitutions
MF Carlos Alena, 5 – A couple of good runs off the ball but too imprecise.
DEL Francisco Trincao, 5 – A couple of nice touches but they gave the ball away in dangerous areas.
MF Miralem Pjanic, N / R – He took over from Pedri after he hurt himself sliding towards the post.
DF Clemente Lenglet, N / A – He entered through Mingueza, who was struggling with cramps at the end.
