Barcelona’s wait to seal a clean sheet record in La Liga continues after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad.
The newly-crowned champions have picked up 25 clean sheets this season, one behind the all-time record of 26, but hopes of tying that record here were dashed after just five minutes.
Alexander Sorloth troubled Jules Counde with the ball and squared for Mikel Merino, who slotted the ball between the legs of an angry Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Despite that early shock, Barcelona created plenty of problems with constant high pressing and Alex Ramiro needed to be alert to keep out a header from Ousmane Dembele, Martin Zubimendi’s brilliant interception shortly before Frank Casey to prevent them from tying the score.
Robert Lewandowski missed his standards and missed several great chances to double their advantage before Sociedad collapsed at the other end. Ander Barentexia missed either side of an excellent Ter Stegen save to deny Muhammad-Ali Cho.
Barcelona ended the first half on top and that intense pressure continued after the break, but Sociedad always looked dangerous and after missing Sorloth’s header, the towering striker made no mistake as he slotted home a Zubimendi pull-back. Tapped.
The second goal turned the game on its head, with Sociedad more confident knowing they had extra cushion for the remaining 20 minutes and Barcelona knowing there was nothing left to play for.
However, that didn’t stop Barcelona from pulling one back in the dying embers. Ferran Torres’ cross was whipped straight at Lewandowski, who headed home to reduce the gap to just one goal.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6); RB: Alejandro Balde (7); CB: Jules Counde (5); CB: Andreas Christensen (6); LB: Jordi Alba (7); DM: Sergio Busquets (7); cm: Frank Casey (6), cm: Frankie de Jong (7); RW: Rafinha (7); scheduled tribe: Robert Lewandowski (7); LW: Ousmane Dembele (8)
substitute: Marcos Alonso (6), Anu Fati (6), Ferran Torres (7), Erik Garcia (N/A), Pablo Toure (N/A)
GK: Alex Ramiro (6); RB: Aritz Elstundo (6); CB: Igor Zubeldia (7); CB: Robin Le Normand (7); LB: Diego Rico (7); cm: Martin Zubimendi (8); cm: Mikel Marino (8), cm: Asir Elaramendi (6); AM: Ender Baranetaxia (6); AM: Muhammad-Ali Cho (7); scheduled tribe: Alexander Sorloth (9)
substitute: Takefusa Kubo (6), Andoni Gorosabel (6), Pablo Marin (6), Carlos Fernandez (N/A), John Pacheco (N/A)