I'm bias on this post but it is what it is, I cant control the games neither probably do you and a young Barcelona FC is doing very very well on 2023.
Barcelona FC goes on to the semi finals after wining over Real Sociedad in the Spotify Camp Nou, a match in my opinion where I actually have to give it to Real Sociedad since it was 10 against 11, after 7 fouls against 2, 7 for Real Sociedad the referee had enough and call a red card on Brais Melendes after stepping on Busquets, after receiving a yellow card for a foul on Lewandowski, here the clips.
Foul on Lewandowski at 35:44
Alternative Link
https://waaw.to/f/gVW2YaBgeriz
Foul on Busquets at 37:40
Alternative Link
https://waaw.to/f/gVW2YaBgeriz
Basically the Referee had enough and make an example out of Brais Meledes, unlucky for him was his second foul on a game that was a bit rough on this futbol cup cake era we live in.
Even when I'm a Barcelona fan I have to give this game Real Sociedad because despite only having 10 men playing they had a couple of plays that could have end on a goal but they couldn't define them, obviously so early on the first half they were down one men and Barcelona had an advantage, so far on 2023 I have seen Barcelona play very well but not every time at a level where they just dominate the game 1:1, what Im going to say hurts to Real Madrid fans but the Barcelona I want to see on every game is when they won the Super Copa de España, even though was not Real Madrid best day, Barcelona dominate the mid field, against Real Sociedad being in advantage of 1 men I didn't see the same dominance and definition.
Barcelona first opportunity comes at minute 27:19 when Dembélé the man of the night, filters a pass to Lewandowski, here the clip
Alternative Link
https://waaw.to/f/gVW2YaBgeriz
Then at minute 28:34 Barcelona had again a play that started with Dembélé but they could not finish it, it was a bit tight and complicated, something only up to the caliber of Messi or Ronaldinho, here the clip
Alternative Link
https://waaw.to/f/gVW2YaBgeriz
At this point of the game Barcelona havent score but they are clearly about to break Real Sociedad defense, I have to be impartial and say that they were not dominating the middle field as in other games but they were clearly getting into Real Sociedad danger zone. Take in consideration that many though Barcelona wouldn't perform because of the economical problems the club have gone through and the amount of young stars but this really reminds me of the times when Ronaldinho lead the path to Messi, not saying Barcelona has equally stars at the moment but Lewandowski and Busquets with much more experience are leading young stars like Gavi.
Going into the second half of the game Barcelona FC starts puttin more pressure and taking advantage of that 11 over 10, at minute 50:05 Araujo creates a play after a foul on Dembélé, but again they couldn't score, it was tight, here the clip
Alternative Link
https://waaw.to/f/gVW2YaBgeriz
But then again Barcelona was getting closer and closer until the man of the night, today Dembélé really work and was efficient, some say during the world cup he did not perform as much as in club season but tonight he was on almost every play and fighting every ball.
Minute 51:23 Dembélé scores, Barcelona 1-0 against Real Sociendad and so far moving to the next round, here the clip
GGGOOOOLLLLLL BARSA BARSA BARSA BARSA BARSA GOOOOOLLLLLL Dembélé
Alternative Link
https://waaw.to/f/x9hvgJcUTce5
After this play the game continues and even with a men down by Real Sociedad it was very even with goal scores attempts by both sides
- Alexander Sorloth at 57:57
- Gaby at minutes 67:10
- Roberto Navarro 87:44
Last five minutes of the game were fought to the end
Alternative Link
https://waaw.to/f/l4yw4AKeEhhk
Here the last five minutes of the game and we were still getting goal attempts, Real Sociedad fight until the end, coming from a 21 games with out of 28, the most games win in straight in history for the Real Sociedad, but Barcelona goes into the next round, as a Barcelona fan Im ruling for them and so far Im really proud of what they have accomplish, the year is still young and many games to play for many other trophies to come.
Lets go Barcelona!!!!