Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad – La Liga – March 7, 2020

On March 7, 2020, Barcelona faced Real Sociedad in a La Liga match at the Camp Nou. Barcelona secured a narrow 1-0 victory, with Lionel Messi scoring the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the late stages of the match.

Key Statistics and Analysis

1. Scoreline and Goal Timings:
   • Barcelona: 1 (Lionel Messi 81′ (pen.))
   • Real Sociedad: 0
2. Possession:
   • Barcelona dominated possession with 56%, while Real Sociedad had 44%. Barcelona’s control of the ball allowed them to dictate the pace of the game, though they found it challenging to break down Real Sociedad’s well-organized defense.
3. Shots:
   • Barcelona registered 13 shots, with 5 on target, reflecting their efforts to press forward and create scoring opportunities. Real Sociedad had 10 shots, with 2 on target, but they were unable to convert these into goals.
4. Passing Accuracy:
   • Barcelona had a high passing accuracy of 88%, completing 590 passes out of 670 attempts. Real Sociedad’s passing accuracy was slightly lower at 83%, completing 446 passes out of 539 attempts. Barcelona’s ability to maintain possession and circulate the ball effectively was a key aspect of their play, though Real Sociedad’s defense remained resilient.
5. Defensive Statistics:
   • Barcelona made 14 tackles compared to Real Sociedad’s 19, showcasing Real Sociedad’s efforts to disrupt Barcelona’s rhythm and regain possession. Both teams were defensively solid, with few clear-cut chances being conceded.
6. Set Pieces:
   • The decisive goal came from a penalty after a VAR review, which adjudged a handball by Robin Le Normand inside the box. Lionel Messi calmly converted the spot-kick, placing the ball past the goalkeeper to give Barcelona the lead. Despite multiple corners and set-piece opportunities, neither team was able to capitalize on them outside of the penalty.
7. Individual Performances:
   • Lionel Messi was once again the key player for Barcelona, scoring the winning goal and being heavily involved in Barcelona’s build-up play. Marc-André ter Stegen made some important saves to preserve the clean sheet. For Real Sociedad, Mikel Merino and Martin Ødegaard were influential in midfield, helping to transition from defense to attack, but they were unable to unlock Barcelona’s defense.
8. Tactical Overview:
   • Barcelona, under Quique Setién, employed a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on controlling possession and using their width to stretch Real Sociedad’s defense. Real Sociedad, managed by Imanol Alguacil, set up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, emphasizing defensive solidity and looking to counter-attack when opportunities arose. The match was tight, with few clear chances, and ultimately decided by the penalty.
9. Disciplinary:
   • The match saw three yellow cards, all for Real Sociedad (Nacho Monreal 17′, Robin Le Normand 80′, Ander Guevara 89′). The fouls were largely tactical, aimed at breaking up Barcelona’s play and preventing dangerous attacks.
10. Corners and Offsides:
    • Barcelona won 6 corners compared to Real Sociedad’s 5. Neither team managed to make a significant impact from these set-pieces, reflecting the organized defenses on both sides. Barcelona were caught offside twice, while Real Sociedad had one offside call, indicating both teams’ attempts to stretch the opposition’s defense.

Summary

Barcelona’s 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou was a hard-fought win that kept them in the race for the La Liga title. The match was closely contested, with both teams showing solid defensive organization and discipline. Despite dominating possession, Barcelona struggled to create clear chances against a well-organized Real Sociedad side.

The game was ultimately decided by a penalty in the 81st minute, converted by Lionel Messi after a VAR review confirmed a handball by Real Sociedad’s Robin Le Normand. Messi’s goal was enough to secure all three points for Barcelona, who were in need of a win to keep pace with their title rivals.

Real Sociedad, despite the loss, put in a commendable performance, particularly in defense, where they limited Barcelona’s opportunities. However, they were unable to find a breakthrough at the other end, and Barcelona’s experience and quality eventually told.

This match highlighted Barcelona’s reliance on Messi for moments of inspiration, as well as their ability to grind out results even when not at their best. The victory was crucial for Barcelona as they continued their pursuit of the La Liga title during the 2019-2020 season.