Barcelona had Robert Lewandowski’s first two La Liga objectives and the well timed substitution of Ansu Fati to thank for his or her 4-1 away victory over Real Sociedad to stand up and working for the season after being held by Rayo Vallecano in a irritating stalemate final weekend.
There was an electrical begin at Anoeta when Robert Lewandowski scored inside the primary minute after which Alexander Isak cancelled that out just a few moments later.
Lewandowski’s maiden aim in La Liga was timestamped at 44 seconds, an easy first-time end from simply exterior the six-yard field that took place after Alejandro Balde’s lung-busting run from deep down the left flank.
Frenkie de Jong was responsible of getting caught in possession when Isak levelled issues up. A by ball made its method to the younger Swede in the correct channel and he simply capable of elevate it over the onrushing Marc-Andre ter Stegen underneath strain from Eric Garcia.
The sport had a definite finish to finish really feel and Barça have been near restoring their lead when Ferran Torres fired simply vast of the put up from a very good place on the sting of the field. But then Ter Stegen beat away an effort from Mikel Merino, whereas Takefusa Kubo did not hit the goal on the rebound.
La Real thought they’d gone forward on the finish of the primary half, however Ter Stegen someway received rapidly right down to his left to divert David Silva’s shot vast of the put up.
The finish to finish really feel didn’t cease after half-time and it nonetheless appeared like each groups have been able to scoring. Only an offside flag denied the hosts a aim when Brais Mendez swung a deep free-kick into the field that Robin Le Normand stretched for – he could not have reached it however a bunch of La Real gamers in offside positions have been too near Ter Stegen’s line of sight.
Xavi turned to Fati from the bench with slightly below half an hour left and it made all of the distinction virtually immediately. The teenager’s backheel half volley performed in Ousmane Dembele to fireplace the Catalans again into the lead. Mere minutes later, Fati ghosted into an ideal place within the field and knocked the ball into the trail of Lewandowski, who once more made no mistake from shut vary.
The fast hearth double killed Real Sociedad’s spirit and it was little to shock to see the subsequent aim additionally come from the gold shirts of Barça. It was roles reversed from the group’s third aim, with Lewandowski turning improvised supplier with a backheel flick for Fati to calmly end.
GK: Marc Andre ter Stegen (c) – 8/10 – Made some necessary saves when it was nonetheless 1-1 that later proved important to the outcome.
CB: Ronald Araujo – 7/10 – Picked up a yellow card however was often trying to go the ball ahead into the attacking third.
CB: Andreas Christensen – 6/10 – Plenty of the ball, loads of passes.
CB: Eric Garcia – 5/10 – Arguably might have finished extra to cease Isak from getting his shot away for La Real’s aim.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – 6/10 – At fault for the early equaliser when he was dispossessed in a pricey space. Still handed the ball close to flawlessly.
CM: Pedri – 8/10 – Carried the ball properly and will at all times be relied on to transition the group from assault to defence.
RM: Ousmane Dembele – 8/10 – Seemed to be a very good attacking outlet when his teammates discovered him. It did not occur sufficient within the first half however he made an important contribution with what proved to be the decisive aim.
AM: Gavi – 6/10 – Did okay however not as concerned as Pedri.
AM: Ferran Torres – 6/10 – Went near scoring within the first half however wasn’t concerned sufficient and was later withdrawn.
LM: Alejandro Balde – 6/10 – Made the breakthrough doable along with his pushed run ahead. Lacking on the defensive aspect of the ball.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – 9/10 – At his medical greatest to interrupt the impasse within the opening minute and likewise put the sport to mattress in a while.
SUB: Ansu Fati (64′ for Torres) – 9/10 – Made all of the distinction in what had been a sport that might have gone both manner earlier than he arrived.
SUB: Raphinha (64′ for Balde) – 6/10
SUB: Jordi Alba (72′ for Dembele) – 6/10
SUB: Franck Kessie (85′ for Gavi) – N/A
SUB: Sergi Roberto (85′ for De Jong) – N/A
Head coach: Xavi – 8/10 – Bringing Fati on when he did modified the sport in an enormous manner. Also switched programs at 3-1 to assist see issues by.