Barcelona record back-to-back wins to get within six points of La Liga summit

On Dec 17, 2020

Barcelona 2-1 Real Sociedad: Frenkie de Jong completes fine comeback as Ronald Koeman’s side record back-to-back wins to move within six points of LaLiga summit

Real Sociedad were aiming to extend their lead at the top of LaLiga
The visitors took the lead after 27 minutes when Willian Jose scored
Barcelona responded four minutes later when defender Jordi Alba struck
Frenkie de Jong put Barcelona got the winner two minutes before half-time

Published: 17:34 EST, 16 December 2020 | Updated: 19:22 EST, 16 December 2020

Barcelona got their second home win in five days but Antoine Griezmann’s awful luck in front of goal continues. #

The French striker missed from two yards out when it would have been easier to score but the gaff didn’t stop Barca moving up to fifth in the table.

Griezmann had a chance to score in the first half but after rounding Real Sociedad keeper Alex Remiro, he hit his shot against the crossbar. In the second period he slid in to finish inside the six-yard box but despite the open goal he sent the ball into the arms of Remiro.

Frenkie de Jong’s strike shortly before half-time proved the match-winner on Wednesday

Victory over Real Sociedad now has Barcelona six points behind Atletico Madrid at the top

The keeper could not believe his luck and Griezmann could not believe his miss. ‘The shot against the bar was bad luck,’ said Ronald Koeman after the game. The less said about the other miss the better.

As it was Barcelona still ran out comfortable winners and Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil admitted: ‘This was the best Barcelona we have seen for a long time. Even Messi was tracking back and winning the ball.’

A radiant Koeman said: ‘We were fantastic in the first half and we should have scored more goals. We deserved to come back and win the game. We never deserved to be behind in the first place.’

Barcelona went behind when Brazilian forward Willian Jose converted from close range

Willian Jose points to the back of his shirt after scoring the goal that put the visitors ahead

Barcelona full back Jordi Alba scores the equaliser from inside the Real Sociedad area

The visitors took the lead on 27 minutes through Willian Jose. The Brazilian striker turned the ball in from close range after being selflessly set-up by Portu.

But it lasted just four minutes as Jordi Alba restored parity. He doesn’t score many curling right-foot shots and this was one to savour as he ran onto a Pedri assist.

Frenkie de Jong then completed a fine team move just before half-time and, although the goal was ruled out for offside, the video assistant referee reversed the decision and Barcelona went in at the break ahead.

Alguacil’s praise for Messi was well deserved and Jordi Alba picked up the man of the match award but Pedri was perhaps the standout player. In ahead of the dropped Philippe Coutinho, he completely justified his selection ahead of the former Liverpool man.