Youth and experience proved the difference once again, as Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski combined for the third time in six LaLiga matchdays, completing a Barcelona turnaround to beat Real Sociedad 2-1 at the Estadi Lluis Companys.
Barca were quickly into their stride and putting pressure on Real Sociedad in all areas of the pitch, to the point where Sergio Francisco’s side could barely put a passage of play together.
An unbelievable save from Alex Remiro kept out Marcus Rashford’s drive after an intelligently-worked corner, and a five-man defence from the visitors stood firm against the continued onslaught.
With 20 minutes of the match gone, the Catalans had seen 89% of the ball, leaving Mikel Oyarzabal and his colleagues chasing shadows, but aside from Rashford’s effort and a long-range daisy cutter from Ronald Araujo, they had little to show for their dominance.
After a mistake in midfield from Barca debutant Dro Fernandez, Sociedad were three-on-two on the counter attack – however, Oyarzabal’s misplaced pass summed up their own shortcomings to that point.
Try as Barcelona might, they couldn’t break through, and at the half-hour mark, another quick break from the Basque giants saw Alvaro Odriozola eventually connect with a cross to put La Real one up.
Another extraordinary save from Remiro then prevented a certain own goal, with Pedri’s follow up somehow diverting wide off a perplexed Igor Zubeldia.
But Sociedad’s luck ran out with half-time approaching, when Rashford’s corner was met by a towering header from Jules Kounde to level proceedings.
A tremendous back and forth opened the second half, and Aihen Munoz’s drilled cross only needed a touch for the visitors to retake the lead, though it wasn’t forthcoming.
In any match against the Spanish champions, failures to convert are invariably punished, and the introduction of Lamine Yamal just before the hour had an immediate impact. Within a minute of his deployment, the teenage sensation’s driving run and perfect cross found Robert Lewandowski to thump home a trademark header.
Oyarzabal almost silenced a raucous home crowd straight after, but a poor first touch saw the chance disappear, and Barcelona resumed their confident ways.
Remiro was equal to fierce drives from Rashford and Dani Olmo, and an offside flag denied Lamine Yamal as Barca attempted to press home their advantage.
Their high line continued to leave them exposed, however, and Takefusa Kubo’s shot against the upright as well as another against the crossbar were two late wake-up calls en-route to another Barcelona success.
Far from being put off by a temporary home, Barcelona have now won 10 of their previous 12 matches played at the Estadi Lluis Companys, while inflicting La Real’s sixth loss in seven LaLiga away games.
On top of that, Barcelona now have 27 wins from their last 28 home league head-to-heads against Sociedad.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad)
