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Barcelona’s mission for a top-four surface took a big action forwards on Thursday as Xavi’s males saw off fellow European hopefuls Real Sociedad.
The Catalan side were on top in the very first half and excellent worth for their lead, which came through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s header, however they took their foot off the gas after half-time and had Marc-Andre ter Stegen to thank for maintaining their lead.
Barcelona were a little lucky not to go behind at an early stage. Some nervy play around the back saw Alexander Isak press Ter Stegen into a genuine issue, however his clearance struck the Swede and went directly broad.
Just a couple of minutes later on, the visitors were commemorating as Aubameyang headed house from a couple of backyards out. An outstanding passing relocation resulted in Ousmane Dembele striking the post, however Gavi recycled ownership and discovered Ferran Torres, whose lobbed pass put it on a plate for Aubameyang.
Things got a bit scrappy after that and Barcelona’s next genuine possibility would not come for another 20 minutes. It was Frenkie de Jong who came close, side-footing an effort from the edge of package that wasn’t far at all.
Chances were particularly hard to come by for Sociedad. Alexander Sorloth had a chance from a cross however his header wasn’t especially hard for Ter Stegen to handle.
Before the very first half was up, Torres and Aubameyang both came close to including a 2nd objective, however each wound up shooting broad, and Barcelona were almost made to spend for their profligacy as Isak rejected a great possibility to equalise soon prior to the break. The young striker went through one on one, however might just drag his effort broad.
Within minutes of the 2nd half start, Sorloth missed out on a caretaker. Adnan Januzaj’s cross discovered him at the back post however the Norway worldwide could not manage his strike and sent it flying broad.
Sorloth came calling once again soon prior to the hour mark, drawing a remarkable stop from Ter Stegen to safeguard Barcelona’s lead. The visitors were hanging on for a while as La Real took control of the video game, controling ownership and asking genuine concerns of Xavi’s males.
Januzaj sent out in another hazardous cross which went all the method through a congested box and once again required a reflex save from Ter Stegen as it looked predestined for the side netting.
Barcelona gradually began to become the 2nd duration and with 17 minutes to go, they had their very first genuine possibility. This time, it was Gavi who discovered some area in package, however the young midfielder could not manage his effort and sent it broad.
The visitors handled to hang on and protect a big 3 points, however they actually paid the cost for it. Ronald Araujo, Gerard Pique and Dani Alves all went off hurt, while Jordi Alba played through a nasty knock for the whole 2nd half.
Barcelona are back up to second now, with a six-point cushion and a video game in hand improving their top-four cause.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 8/10 – A nervy minute early on however recuperated well. Made an outstanding conserve to reject Sorloth and increased to every difficulty that came his method.
RB: Dani Alves – 5/10 – A challenging one. Played more as an inverted midfielder and did an excellent task of assisting spray balls around the pitch, however left Dembele to look after himself out on the right and was normally out of position when his protectors required a choice. Not sure this method was the ideal one. Limped off through injury.
CB: Ronald Araujo – 7/10 – Struggled without Alves’ assist on the protective end however whatever he might manage was unbelievable. A genuine problem for Sociedad prior to injury required him off early in the 2nd.
CB: Gerard Pique – 7/10 – His management made an enormous distinction however Pique got an early injury which restricted his participation.
POUND: Jordi Alba – 5/10 – Offered extremely little going forwards and simply as unstable at the back. Fortunate that Isak can’t strike a barn door nowadays.
DM: Sergio Busquets – 7/10 – Offered some great control in the midfield fight. Shielded his defence well.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – 7/10 – Ran the program for Barcelona. Given a great deal of obligation in Pedri’s lack and didn’t let Xavi down.
CM: Gavi – 6/10 – Some outstanding energy in midfield and his pushing was actually remarkable, although his death wasn’t constantly precise. Great work rate for the opener.
RW: Ousmane Dembele – 6/10 – A genuine risk on the ball however his shooting simply wasn’t sufficient.
ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 7/10 – A regular strike to open the scoring however guilty of being a little inefficient sometimes.
LW: Ferran Torres – 5/10 – Got the help for Aubameyang’s opener however that was practically the only favorable effect he had.
SUB: Eric Garcia (54′ for Araujo) – 5/10 – Barcelona’s efficiency fell off when Garcia began.
SUB: Sergino Dest (64′ for Alves) – 6/10 – Offered more together with Dembele.
SUB: Luuk de Jong (82′ for Aubameyang) – N/A
SUB: Clement Lenglet (82′ for Pique) – N/A
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