The impressive run of Barcelona came to an unexpected halt as they were defeated 1-0 by Real Sociedad in a LaLiga EA Sports match on Sunday. Despite remaining top of the table, the loss to a team that had previously struggled at home was a major setback for Barcelona, who have now suffered their second league defeat of the season.
The absence of young star Lamine Yamal, sidelined with a contusion from a recent Champions League clash against Red Star Belgrade, proved to be a crucial factor in Barcelona’s disappointing performance. Without Yamal’s creativity and dynamism, Barcelona lacked the sharpness and fluidity that have defined their play this season. This defeat came just after their loss to Osasuna in Pamplona, and although they still lead the table, the Catalans’ vulnerability was exposed.
Real Sociedad, who had not beaten Barcelona at home since April 2016, played with confidence and determination. Despite their poor home record and fatigue from a Thursday Europa League fixture, Imanol Alguacil’s side showed resilience and flair. They outplayed Barcelona in several phases of the match, forcing the visitors to chase the game from the outset.
The only goal of the match came in the 33rd minute from Sheraldo Becker, whose strike was enough to seal the victory for Real Sociedad. Barcelona’s frustration was compounded when a Robert Lewandowski goal was ruled out for offside by VAR early in the match. The disallowed goal highlighted the lack of precision and sharpness in Barcelona’s attack, which was further hindered by their inability to break down Real Sociedad’s defense.
Without the creative spark of Yamal, Barcelona struggled to create meaningful chances. The team lacked coherence in their attacks and failed to capitalize on the limited opportunities they had. Real Sociedad, on the other hand, had several chances to extend their lead but managed to hold off Barcelona’s late pressure, securing a historic win.
This defeat marks a rare instance where Barcelona fell behind and was unable to recover. While they remain six points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, who have a postponed match against Valencia due to the DANA storm, Barcelona will need to regroup and regain their form. This loss to Real Sociedad serves as a reminder of how even the top teams can falter, especially when key players like Yamal are missing.
