La Liga: Frenkie de Jong and Barcelona seal the comeback over Real Sociedad

Jordi Alba and Frenkie de Jong found the net when Barcelona rallied to claim a 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad.

Ronald Koeman made the audacious decision to remove Clement Lenglet from his starting lineup, opening Ronald Araujo and Oscar Mingueza as center-back with Pedri also included in the Barça team above Philippe Coutinho.

It was the visiting winger who opened the scoring before half an hour when Willian José converted a Portu cross to the back post from close range. However, Real Sociedad’s advantage did not last long, as Alba finished off with his right foot three minutes later.

The change was completed when De Jong found the back of the net at an Alba center. The flag was initially raised for offside, but the VAR review showed that the Dutchman was onside when the pass to center was played.

Real Sociedad applied some pressure in the final stages but could not find an equalizer, with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen making a double stop to deny Alexander Isak. The victory brought Barcelona to fifth place in La Liga, closing the gap with the top of the table at six points.

The La Liga table doesn’t look like Barcelona would like, but it certainly looks much better than it did a few weeks ago. This result lifted the Catalans to fifth place and their streak of matches over Christmas means they could pick up some momentum. They have games against Valencia, Real Valladolid and Eibar before the turn of the year. Three wins out of three will see Barcelona continue their recovery after a difficult autumn period.

The two goals for Barcelona came from Alba. The left-back scored a shocking draw with his right foot moments after Real Sociedad took the lead and it was his excellent cross into the six-yard box that gave De Jong the opportunity at home plate to give Barça the advantage on the shot from halftime. Alba continues to be a departure for the Catalans on the left. It gives them some energy and attack drive. This was a demonstration of what it offers.

Barcelona – ter Stegen 6, Araujo 6, Mingueza 6, Dest 5, Alba 8, Busquets 6, de Jong 7, Messi 7, Griezmann 6, Pedri 7, Braithwaite 6. Subs – Pjanic 5, Lenglet 5, Alena 5, lasts 4 .

Real Sociedad – Remiro 7, Le Normand 6, Zubeldia 6, Monreal 5, Zubimendi 5, Guevara 5, Merino 7, Portu 6, Jose 7, Januzaj 7. Subs – Isak 6, Sagnan 3, Navarro 5, Berrentxea 5.

28 ‘GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Real Sociedad: Real Sociedad takes the lead at the Camp Nou! A corner routine sent Portu to the baseline, crossed to the back post and José was available to hit the net from close range! A fantastic play from the away side and they are 1-0 up!

31 ‘GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Real Sociedad: The Real Sociedad advantage did not last long! Messi connected a cross to the back post, Griezmann’s pass to the center was deflected in Alba’s path and the left-back found the upper corner of the net with an impressive shot from the right.

39 & # 39; Off the crossbar! Centimeters from being a second goal for Barcelona! Griezmann jumped around Le Normand and Remiro, but the angle was tight and he breaks his strike against the wood!

44 ‘GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Real Sociedad: After a review of the VAR, it was decided that De Jong’s goal should be kept! It was a good shot from the Dutchman after a strong work by Alba on the left wing. The flag was raised for offside, but replays show De Jong managed to hold the line when the pass was made.

54 ‘How did that not come in ?! What an amazing lady! Alba was played to the baseline by Pedri, her center in the middle was good, Griezmann had an open goal, two meters away, and sent his shot into Remiro’s arms!