It was just last weekend we have had some excellent football matches. And yet, somehow, this weekend seemed to never arrive. I almost felt like we were off for another international break. I have no clue as to why this week went by so so slow. The weekend could not have come fast enough.
But now that it is finally here, time for some football. The premier league kicked this game week off with Man City demolishing Bournemouth and Newcastle united clinching a crucial 1-0 victory over Arsenal.
But now's the game I have been really waiting for as Barca travel away to Real Sociedad, who have remained unbeaten at home for the last 10 months. Barcelona will be hoping to end that streak as we really can not afford to drop any more points after last weekend's defeat at the el classico.
Barca lining up with a different formation which shows Xavi is trying to do something different to take down this formidable Real Sociedad side.
We are lining up with 3 central defenders which is good to see. We have leaked way too many goals this and we are not even halfway through the season. So solidifying the defense first is important. This is also the first time this season we are seeing the trio of Araujo Kounde and Inigo Martinez play together at the heart of our defense.
The midfield however is interesting with Cancelo and Balde taking up the wide positions. It will enhance their attacking threat while the three man defense also provides solidity against the counter.
However with only felix and lewandowski up front, we might go back to seeing difficulty breaking the Real Sociedad defense. However, I think Xavi's thinking here is that, Fermin Lopez often finds himself in good attacking positions near the edge of the box and in the box, so he will sort of serve as a false 9...? We'll see.
And I think we will see Raphinha and Lamine Yamal introdiced at some point, but I really don't wanna see Lamine Yamal play the right wing. I have said it last week, and I will say it again - Playing Lamine at the right wing completely wastes what he could have potentially brought for us. Hence, Raphinha and Yamal can not take the pitch together.
Start!
Sociedad attack really really early forcing a save from ter stegen.
Horrible mistake from Joules Kounde almost lead to Sociedad's opening goal. This is going to be a long night.
Nearly 15 minutes in and it's been all Real Sociedad so far. Barca haven't seem to have woken up yet. They have been very very sloppy and playing catch up.
Barca just hanging by the thread here. Another golden opportunity for sociedad. Barca are losing the ball too casually. 5 chances for Sociedad within 15 minutes!
The new system is clearly not working for barca. Question is how soon does Xavi make the switch.
Oh, chance for Gavi! Should have taken the shot.
After 20 minutes, Barca are just starting to get into the game - unacceptable.
Zubimendi is a real quality player, can see why Xavi really wanted to buy him in the summer. I think we should go back for him next window as we still need a pivot.
Oh my world! Ter Stegen drops the ball and Real Sociedad were almost 1-0 up, block from Gavi saves us for now. Barca pinned in their own half. Seems like only a matter of time Sociedad will take the lead. Let this half just be over man!
Barca giving the ball away like charity!
Half Time!
Barca are lucky to still be in the game.
So, no change for Barca at half time..? Interesting. I would have liked at least 2-3 changes given how abysmal our first half performance has been.
Just like the first half, pretty sedated stuff from barca. At least we are not near conceding a goal every three minutes.
And finally we have the changes. Ferran torres takes Lewandowski's place, and after a long injury break, Pedri returns in place of Fermin Lopez. Let's hope these changes positively impact our play.
It's almost like Sociedad are playing Jurgen Klopp's gegen press football! Man they have been relentless! Haven't given Barca any breathing space.
Pedri looks very rusty, expected given the lengthy period of time he has been away injured.
Raphinha and Lamine yamal comes on in place of Joao felix and Joao Cancelo. I really do not see why Xavi keeps deploying Lamine Yamal on the right.
Ter Stegen to Barca's Rescue again!
Our biggest problem today has been losing the ball too easily and not winning balls back at all. Staying up till 4 am for this game seems like a bad idea now. Barca players have looked utterly clueless and completely out of sync.
What a chance for Gavi in the dying minutes and he smashes it straight at the keeper. And seems like that's that.
0-0 at Full time!
Well scratch that! Ronald Araujo of all people have won it for barca! Gundogan has had a stinker of a game, but he comes clutch with a perfectly measured cross for Araujo!
And this time, that should be it!
Barca win it by 1 goal!
Unlucky for Real Sociedad, were clearly the far far better team!
Barca need to massively improve on their away form. Horrendous today.
Next up Shaktar in the champions league!