Barcelona 3-2 Real Sociedad: Catalans Pick Up Crucial Victory With Scrappy Win Over Sociedad

Barcelona kept up the pressure on leaders Real Madrid with an undeserved 3-2 victory over Real Sociedad, who were unlucky not to come away with at least a point from the Nou Camp. Barcelona went into this one hoping to put a disastrous week behind them, which saw the Catalans lose ground in the title race with a 2-0 defeat away at Malaga, and concede three away to Juventus in the Champions League. In the poor defeat to Malaga, Brazilian star Neymar saw red, meaning Paco Alcácer earned himself a starting place alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

With Barca six points behind Real Madrid in the title race and facing the leaders at the Bernabeu next week, they needed a fast start and a win in this one. However it was Real Sociedad who came flying out of the blocks, showing no fear and intending to put Barca under pressure to nick an early goal. Their first opportunity came from Yuri Berchiche, who was found from a neat flick by Willian Jose in the penalty area. The Spaniard's effort was powerful and heading into the bottom corner, only to be denied by the outstretched leg of Gerard Pique.

As time passed Barca started to grow into the game, with Suarez and Messi finding more space behind the Sociedad back-line. And after 17 minutes, the home side took the lead. Alcácer worked tenaciously down the left, battling past Joseba Zaldúa and Illarrmendi to find Suarez open in the middle. The Uruguayan played the ball onto Messi, and from 30 yards out he pinged the ball sweetly into the bottom left-hand corner, leaving Rulli with no chance.

POSTED BY:OPUOMONI PRIYE

DATE:04/16/2017