La Real fell to FC Barcelona in its debut at the Reale Arena. After a remarkable first half which ended in a 1-1 draw, two goals by the visitors in two minutes put the game to bed and left the txuri urdin with no options to clinch their first three points at home.
The match got off to a stunning start. A very dangerous attack by the locals gave way to a lethal counter attack by Barça. Lewandowski put his team ahead on 1’. A blow from which the realistas recovered marvelously. Kubo and Silva stole a ball which they gave to Isak, who beat Ter Stegen with a complicated lob. A frenetic start that gave way to minutes that were hectic. Barça showed all their speed whereas the txuri urdin displayed their combination of control and verticality. De Jong’s left-footed shot went wide whilst Merino and Kubo could have added a second in two actions. It was a beautiful first half that ended with a very clear chance for the txuri urdin. However, Ter Stegen saved Silva's shot.
After the restart, Brais free kick ended up in the net but it was scrubbed for offside. The players did not touch the ball, but the referee considered that they had influenced on the action with Ter Stegen. La Real were doing well, but two fateful minutes condemned them. First, a left-footed cross by Dembelé and then Lewandowski's second goal of the night. Next, Ansu Fati made no mistake to put the game to bed.
La Real could not make a good start at home. It was not easy. Let's think about Elche now, go Real!
Match sheet:
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aritz (cap)(Gorosabel, min.78), Zubeldia, Le Normand, Aihen, Zubimendi, Merino (Karrikaburu, min.78), Silva (Turrientes, min.70), Brais Méndez, Take (Cho, min.69) and Isak (Navarro, min.69).
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen (cap), Araujo, Christensen, Eric, Balde (Ansu Fati, min.64), De Jong (Sergi Roberto, min.85), Gavi (Kessie, min.85), Pedri, Dembelé (Jordi Alba, min.71), Ferrán (Rapinha, min.64) and Lewandowski.
Goals: 0-1: Lewandowski, min.1. 1-1: Isak, min.6. 1-2: Dembelé, min.66. 1-2: Lewandowski, min.68. 1-4: Ansu Fati, min.79)
Referee: Munuera Montero. Booked Aritz for Real Sociedad and Araujo for FC Barcelona.