SM
Aston Villa vs. Liverpool: 7 hrs 8 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
BL
La Liga
Sep 24, 2013 at 7pm UK
 
RS

4-1

Neymar (5'), Messi (8'), Busquets (23'), Bartra (77')
FT(HT: 3-0)

Match Analysis: Barcelona 4-1 Real Sociedad

:Headline: Match Analysis: Barcelona 4-1 Real Sociedad: ID:106973: from db_amp
Sports Mole dissects the action as Barcelona record a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad.

Barcelona welcomed Real Sociedad to the Camp Nou on Tuesday looking to continue their 100% start to the season.

The home side were 2-0 ahead inside eight minutes with goals from Neymar and Lionel Messi, before Sergio Busquets made it three after 23 minutes.

Barcelona continued to dominate in the second period, but Sociedad cut the deficit to 3-1 after 64 minutes when Alberto de la Bella scored from close range.

However, the scoring was not finished, with Marc Bartra making it 4-1 to the home side in the latter stages.

Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two La Liga rivals.

Match statistics:

Barcelona:
Shots: 16
On target: 8
Possession: 71%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 6

Sociedad:
Shots: 9
On target: 5
Possession: 29%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 12

Was the result fair?

There is not any possible situation where anything other than a comprehensive Barcelona win would have reflected the events at the Camp Nou. The Catalan outfit were stunning in the early stages as they moved into a two-goal lead, but they were guilty of missing chances in the second period. Sociedad certainly improved after the interval, but it was a case of too little too late for the Champions League participants.

Barcelona's performance

Had Barcelona continued their tempo from the first period into the second, they could have reached double figures this evening. It came as no surprise when they eased off in the latter stages, but the damage had already been done. They have drawn some criticism this season, but the league table shows them top with six wins from six matches. It was another incredible attacking performance from the Spanish champions.

Sociedad's performance

The only positive that Sociedad could take from this match is the fact that they ended a run of three matches without a goal. It might have been a different story had they taken a couple of opportunities in the early stages, but they caused their own problems with desperate defending. They certainly overachieved last season and now they have Champions League commitments to balance. It could be a difficult campaign for Sociedad.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Andres Iniesta: The Spaniard was not among the goals this evening, but he was in spectacular form in the middle of the park. His contract situation with the club shows no sign of ending, but he remains, alongside Messi, their most important player. Everything that the midfielder did at the Camp Nou radiated class.

Biggest gaffe

It would be no exaggeration to call Sociedad's defending in the first period appalling. In fact, there isn't a strong enough word that could be used to describe just how bad it was for a team that finished fourth last season. In fairness, they improved in the second half, but the damage had already been done in the early stages.

Referee performance

Jesus Gil had a successful 90 minutes of action this evening. He was sensitive to a couple of late challenges in the first period, but refused to look to his book despite calls from both sets of players. He was hardly seen throughout the evening, which is always a good sign for a referee. Neither manager will have had any complaints about his night's work.

What next?

Barcelona: The Catalan outfit will attempt to continue their winning run when they travel to Almeria this weekend.

Sociedad: Sociedad will attempt to pile more misery on struggling Sevilla when they welcome Unai Emery's side this weekend.

amp_article__106973 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2013-09-25 14:04:27:
html db last update - 2021-02-02 02:08:29 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid35286178225690
2GironaGirona35236675443175
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico35224964392570
5Athletic Bilbao351711757352262
6Real BetisBetis35141384641555
7Real Sociedad341412848351354
8Valencia35139133739-248
9Villarreal35139135960-148
10Getafe351013124148-743
11AlavesAlaves35119153440-642
12Sevilla351011144749-241
13Osasuna35117173953-1440
14Las PalmasLas Palmas35107183044-1437
15Mallorca35714142840-1235
16Rayo Vallecano35714142743-1635
17Celta Vigo35810174053-1334
18CadizCadiz35514162449-2529
RGranada3549223668-3221
RAlmeria35211223570-3517
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .