Barca’s winning streak halted by Real Sociedad

messi takes on two real sociedad players

It had to happen one day and Tito Vilanova said that Barca would lose and would have to take the rough with the smooth. Yesterday, that day arrived for Barca with a defeat at the Anoeta stadium against Real Sociedad. It was unthinkable to even think that Barcelona would draw this match let alone lose it after leading by 2 goals to nil.
Barca defender Gerard Piqué was sent off early in the second half for two silly yellow cards, although deserved and Chory Castro equalised for the hosts making it 2 apiece. No one expected that a dramatic extra-time goal from Imanol Agirretxe would give  his team a 3-2 victory over Barca.

Barca was set to win the league without losing a single game and this season was going to be a record breaker.

In addition to their first setback of the season, the Catalan giants were stopped in their tracks on the ground that has become somewhat problematic for them in recent years.

Even with Pep Guardiola, there seemed to no way to win at the Anoeta stadium. In the 2010-2011 season Real Sociedad won 2-1 and in the 2011-2012 Barca snatched a 2-2 draw. Now, under the guidance of Tito Vilanova, the mould doesn’t seem to want to beak for him either.

This magnificent Barca team had pieced together 10 straight wins and just one more win for Vilanova and he would have crushed the records achieved by Guardiola’s Barca in the 2010-2011 season along with Mourinho’s Real Madrid of 2011-2012.

Just one more win and a new record was in the bag, but it ended up being a unique opportunity that went begging. Now to be crowned the best away team in history, Barcelona must beat the 16 away wins in a season that Real Madrid achieved.

Barca do not have much margin for error to do this, although they are more than capable. The calendar for the second half of the league includes nine away games. One has been played and there are eight left in complicated stadiums. The Catalans must visit Valencia, Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid – four tough contenders when it comes to defending their home ground.

What remains good about the Barca team is that it’s goal-scoring form is fantastic. Barcelona have already notched up 37 goals in away games – just 14 away from matching the 51 goals knocked in by Real Madrid a year ago. This goal record alone looks like being beaten by Barca.

Therefore, all praise goes to Real Sociedad for a great match and having the patience and stubbornness to believe in themselves to take on Barca and beat them at home.

About Barca Blogger

My name's Steve aka Barca Blogger and one of the founding members of the team at Barcelonafcblog.com. I've been around since the blog started and we aim to bring you the most up to date information on this great club.

Comments

  1. So disappointed! I do not agree with Messi that Barca had to lose at some point, thats pessimism, reality is that you do not HAVE to lose, watch the game which I am sure Barca will do and see all the mistakes- a lot,
    1. to much possession in the second half in their own goal area, drove me nigh crazy watching it.
    2. Real Soc were diving a lot and Ref gave to many Yellow cards to Barca, and an unnecessary Red to Pique, The Ref’s are getting a bit sensitive to their personal game these days. Barca do not give up and keep playing as good as you usually do, do not be intimidated by media or Ref’s, and Messi keep scoring the Goals, it is the Goals that win Barca the Titles. Go for it!!!

Trackbacks

  1. Información Bitacoras.com…

    Valora en Bitacoras.com: Barcelona’s magnificent run of 10 away game wins hit a brick wall last night against a very strong Real Sociedad side at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastián. Barca were winning by 2 goals to one at half time but the tables w…..