With a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday and a point difference, Lamine Yamal’s return from injury helped Barcelona to top La Liga.
After Real Madrid’s rivals Atletico Madrid lost 5-2 in a Saturday derby, Hansi Flick’s side had a chance to take the lead over Xabi Alonso’s side.
Real Sociedad took the lead in the first half thanks to Alvaro Odriozola, but Jules Kounde equalized for the Spanish champions.
Robert Lewandowski scored the winner just moments after being substituted for second-half substitute Yamal, who had groin injuries for the previous four games.
Kounde told Movistar, “I’m very happy for (Yamal) and very pleased that we will need him back on the pitch.”
After the city council earlier this week denied them a permit to reopen their Camp Nou home, Barcelona held the game at the Olympic stadium, where they have played for the past two seasons.
In addition to replacing injured goalkeeper Joan Garcia with Roony Bardghji on the right wing, Flick also made the debut of 17-year-old attacking midfielder Dro Fernandez.
In the opening period, Barcelona had a difficult time stopping Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro.
Marcus Rashford was denied in the opening period by the Spain international.
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Rashford, who is out on loan from Manchester United, is finding his footing at Barca thanks to Lewandowski’s superb through ball, which he fired from a tight angle across the face of goal.
After 31 minutes, Real Sociedad gave Barca a sharp counterattack to start the scoring.
Ander Barrenetxea’s cross was completed by former Real Madrid defender Odriozola.
Remiro was once more in their path when Barcelona increased their lead when a Koundé cross was deflected in his direction.
Bardghji’s effort was also headed away for a corner by Remiro, who scored the equalizer for Barcelona.
In midweek, Rashford, who had an assist from a corner against Real Oviedo, whipped it to the near post, where Koundé headed home from.
Yamal’s Retainment
Before the hour mark, Yamal was introduced after the teenager recovered from his groin issue, and Dro was replaced by Dani Olmo at half-time.
Yamal immediately made an immediate impact after being chosen as the second-best player in the world on Monday at the Ballon d’Or gala.
Just over a minute after being introduced, the 18-year-old crossed for Lewandowski to head home from the post.
Remiro denied Rashford and Olmo with two more excellent saves, while Szczesny pulled one back from Oyarzabal for La Real, which gave Barcelona a few scares.
Both sides hit the crossbar repeatedly, and the game became more and more chaotic.
Real Sociedad worked the ball to Takefusa Kubo, who crashed a shot against the woodwork while Kounde was daydreaming in midfield.
The hosts were unpunished when Barcelona broke away and Lewandowski was sent off for him. Ferran Torres hit the crossbar successfully to put the game to bed.
We suffered too much in our final 25 minutes, Kounde said, “It was a challenging game.”
“The first 70 minutes were quite good, we could have scored more goals,” I thought, but I disliked how it ended.
On Wednesday, Barcelona will play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, which will also take place at the Olympic Stadium.
Real Sociedad have a difficult start to the season, finishing 17th, but they have been improving and will take comfort from the strain Barca has placed upon.
Odriozola remarked, “I’m proud of the team’s work despite the defeat.” “We have had a difficult start, and today we showed up.”
Source: Channels TV
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