Barcelona suffer a setback in Anoeta

Anoeta played host to one of the most frenetic Liga BBVA matchday 25 encounters. Real Sociedad beat Barcelona 3-1 in a match full of intensity and good football. As a result of this defeat, the Catalans slip from top spot in the Liga BBVA, while the Basques finish Saturday in fifth place.

Real started the match with the intention of making up for the last game between the sides, when Barcelona knocked them out of the Copa del Rey. Carlos Vela had two chances during the first half hour which preceded the home side’s opening goal. In the 32nd minute, Vela found Gorka Elustondo who sent his shot towards Víctor Valdés’ goal only to see the ball take a deflection off Alex Song before beating the Barcelona keeper. Messi equalised shortly afterwards with a shot from outside the box in the 36th minute.

Jagoba Arrasate’s men came out after the break with all guns blazing and managed to score two goals within fifteen minutes of the restart to kill off the game. First Antoine Griezmann got on the end of a long pass from Vela before slotting the ball past Valdés, and four minutes later, David Zurutuza made the most of a defensive error by the away side to effectively seal the victory for Real. Gerardo Martino’s team tried to narrow the gap through Messi and Neymar but were unable to get back into the game. The Basques could have extended their lead even further towards the end of the match when Vela hit the post. For yet another season Anoeta has proven itself to be a difficult ground for Barcelona, who have not won in San Sebastian for seven years.