Barcelona Player Ratings: Sociedad Defeat La Liga Leaders

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Post on Nov 11, 2024

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Barcelona Player Ratings: Sociedad Defeat La Liga Leaders

Barcelona's reign at the top of La Liga came to an abrupt end on Sunday as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad at the Anoeta Stadium. The result ended their 11-game winning streak and handed the title race a significant shake-up. Here's a breakdown of the Barcelona players' performances:

Ter Stegen (5/10): The German keeper was let down by his defense on numerous occasions. While he made a couple of decent saves, he could do little to stop the goals from David Silva and Alexander Sorloth.

Koundé (6/10): Solid in defense, Koundé offered a threat going forward with some dangerous runs. However, he was caught out of position on the first goal and struggled to contain Sorloth throughout the game.

Araujo (6/10): The Uruguayan defender put in a typically committed performance. He won several aerial duels and showed his usual strength in the box, but he also struggled to cope with Sociedad's attacking dynamism.

Christensen (5/10): A disappointing outing for the Danish center-back, who looked shaky and indecisive. He seemed to lack the pace to deal with the Sociedad attackers, and his positioning was questionable on multiple occasions.

Balde (6/10): Barcelona's most consistent performer on the day, Balde displayed his pace and attacking instincts down the left flank. He caused numerous problems for the Sociedad defense but lacked the final ball in the attacking third.

Gavi (6/10): The young midfielder was lively and energetic, but he struggled to impose himself on the game. He made some promising runs and tried to break through the Sociedad lines, but his decision-making was often erratic.

De Jong (6/10): A competent performance from the Dutch midfielder, who controlled the tempo and provided a stable presence in the middle of the park. However, he lacked the killer passes that could unlock the Sociedad defense.

Pedri (7/10): Barcelona's best player on the pitch, Pedri displayed his exceptional technical ability and vision. He dictated the pace of the game and created numerous chances for his teammates. He also contributed to Barcelona's goal, playing a neat one-two with Raphinha.

Raphinha (7/10): The Brazilian winger was a constant threat, showing his trickery and pace on the right flank. He scored Barcelona's only goal with a well-taken finish and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet again.

Lewandowski (6/10): The Polish striker worked tirelessly but was largely frustrated by the Sociedad defense. He was unable to get into dangerous positions and lacked the service he usually receives. He did, however, provide the assist for Raphinha's goal.

Fati (5/10): Came on in the second half but struggled to make an impact. He lacked the sharpness and dynamism that would have been useful against the Sociedad backline.

Overall: Barcelona were simply outplayed by a vibrant and organized Real Sociedad side. While their attack showed flashes of brilliance, their defense was far too vulnerable, and their midfield lacked the control and creativity required to break down a stubborn Sociedad team. This defeat serves as a wake-up call for Xavi's side, highlighting the need for improvement in several areas if they are to maintain their title aspirations.