No goal, no paradise. Despite being the better side in almost all areas, la Real fell to FC Barcelona 0-1 at the Reale Arena. An early goal by the blaugranas defeated a Real that played a magnificent match, except for the goal, which left them without an option to add points although they deserved it.
Despite the fact that la Real got off to a great start, it was FC Barcelona who took the lead. Torres lofted a ball into the back post for Aubameyang who headed home from close range. Sorloth responded with another good header that was saved by Ter Stegen. The home side recovered well from the hard blow. The culés had another string of good chances, with close-range shots from De Jong, Ferran and Aubameyang, which went narrowly wide. Just before the break, Imanol's side enjoyed the clearest chance. Sorloth did well to set up Isak but unfortunately he was unable to hit the target from 10 yards out.
After the restart, the realistas had another clear scoring chance. Sorloth caused problems in the box as he had a great chance at the far post that he put wide. La Real deserved to score the equalizer. Sorloth, omnipresent, had another chance that Ter Stegen saved in extremis. Barça regained their composure for a few minutes and Gavi was presented with a great chance that he scuffed wide. Could have been a second. La Real gave it their all in the final minutes and kept pushing for an equalizer but without avail.
The lack of accuracy condemned la Real. They played a very good game but lacked precision and accuracy on goals. Five finals to go. It's time to make the last effort. Aupa, Real!
Match sheet:
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Zaldua (cap)(Gorosabel, min.81), Zubeldia, Le Normand, Rico, Zubimendi (Guevara, min.92), Merino, Rafael (Guridi, min.81), Januzaj (Martín, min.86), Isak (Portu, min.86) and Sorloth.
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Alves (Dest, min.66), Araujo (Eric, min.55), Piqué (Lenglet, min.82), Alba, Sergio (cap), F. De Jong, Gavi, Dembelé, Ferrán and Aubameyang (De Jong, min, 82).
Goal: 0-1: Aubameyang, min.11.
Referee: Del Cerro Grande. Booked Le Normand for Real Sociedad and Araujo and Gavi for FC Barcelona.
Attendance: 35,128 spectators.