A penalty goal tightens the F League standings before the derby
Barça suffer their first defeat of the season at Real Sociedad's ground
BarcelonaIs it possible to lose a match after having 80% possession? Is it possible to lose a match after having 34 shots on goal, 19 of them on target? Is it possible to lose if your opponents only manage one shot on target the entire match? The answer is yes. Barça suffered their first defeat of the season after losing 1-0 away to Real Sociedad. A penalty from Edna in the final stages of the first half was enough to tip the scales, securing the three points in the Basque Country and tightening the standings in La Liga just before El Clásico.
It was a demanding match after the international break. Partly because Real Sociedad are near the top of the table. But also because of the team's key absences: Kika Nazareth, Salma Paralluelo, Ewa Pajor, and Patri. Pere Romeu had to call up players from the reserve team to complete a squad of only 18. The result was surprising because the script of the match was very similar to most of the games played by the Blaugrana: monopolizing possession and shots on goal. But this time it backfired. Julia Arrula, with thirteen saves, was the star of Real Sociedad, who put in an extraordinary defensive performance to protect the lead. Barça tried until the very end. The rain falling in Zubieta made the match heavy and very physically demanding. Too much for a Barça side that, despite it being early November, is beginning to feel the effects of the accumulated matches and absences. The players weren't lacking in motivation, as they tried until the end. But they lacked ideas and fluidity with the ball. Nevertheless, they had clear scoring opportunities. They even managed to score in stoppage time, although Martine Fenger's header was disallowed for offside. The reserve team player made her first-team debut and was left disappointed. VAR reviewed the play and confirmed the offside position.
Despite the defeat, Barça continues to comfortably lead Liga F with 24 points, four more than Real Madrid and Real Sociedad. Their next match is a Champions League fixture against Oud-Heverlee Leuven from Belgium. And on Sunday, at Montjuïc, they face Real Madrid in El Clásico.