Thanks for joining me on what has been an exciting night. Barcelona looked all at sea in the opening 45 minutes but in the wind and the rain they recovered to show why they are running away with the league and maintained their unbeaten record. Anyway, until we meet again.
Mark emails to say it’s the best game he’s seen this season. Was it? The Sevilla derby wasn’t too bad last week...
Full-time: Real Sociedad 2-4 Barcelona
What a game that was! Real Sociedad looked like they were going to get a much-deserved win as they were the better team in the first-half but Barcelona showed what they are made of as Suarez and Messi led them to victory with some wonderful finishes. There is nothing for La Real to be ashamed of but it could have been so much more.
90+2 min: Pique goes in the book for a pointless foul on Oyarzabal.
90+1min: Three minutes are being added on here but the game is certainly over.
89 min: Denis Suarez is being sent on to enjoy the last few moments of the game, which is all the former Manchester City man will want.
88 min: Januzaj wins a corner after some decent footwork in the corner. Barcelona manage to clear it without much fuss.
It’s a stunning free-kick from Messi. The Barcelona No10 sends lifts the set-piece up and over the wall from 30 yards out and the ball hits the back of the net halfway up. Rulli didn’t move and there was no reason to, either.
GOAL! Real Sociedad 2-4 Barcelona (Messi, 85)
A sumptuous free-kick from Messi.
84 min: Luis Suarez is caught by Oyarzabal on the ankle and spends a few seconds holding his leg as a writhes around in pain.
Not a bad record...
⚽ @LuisSuarez9 ⚽
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 14, 2018
✅ 11th goal in last 11 matches
✅ 6 league games in a row with a goal
🔵🔴 #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/MpvKlsLaTC
82 min: Messi almost scores one of the goals of the decade as he chests the ball down, flicks the ball over his own head and then smashes a volley with his right from 20 yards but Rulli gets down to stop it and the ball is cleared before a Barcelona player can net the rebound.
79 min: Now it’s Barcelona’s turn to make a change as Digne replaces Andre Gomes, which the first thing the Portuguese has done tonight.
78 min: Sunderland legend Adnan Januzaj is coming on as Real Sociedad chase the game. Xabi Prieto is the man to make way.
76 min: Messi bends a free-kick over the wall from 30 yards but the ball bounces just wide of the post, not that Rulli was ever worried by the shot.
74 min: Barcelona and Real Sociedad are now playing against each other and the rain, which should make the last 20 minutes interesting. A ball to the back post from La Real is knocked back by Rodrigues to Oyarzabal who smashes a half-volley over from 20 yards.
Barcelona make the most of a mistake from Real Sociedad as Sureaz is played in by a txuri-urdin midfielder who headed the ball towards his own goal but could only find Luis Suarez who ran through and put the ball beyond Rulli.
GOAL! Real Sociedad 2-3 Barcelona (Luis Suarez, 71)
The Uruguayan completes the turnaround.
71 min: Sergi Roberto sends the ball down the line for Dembele who keeps it in, thanks to the rain, but then his cross into the box is straight at Rulli, even though he had plenty of time. Poor from Dembele.
70 min: Alba this time finds a team-mate from a cross but Suarez’s shot smashes straight into Navas.
69 min: Messi clips a pass to the back post where an onrushing Jordi Alba cuts the ball back to no one as Suarez is just behind his team-mate.
Sid knows...
Andre Gomes literally getting in the way there
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) January 14, 2018
Luis Suarez is influential...
1 - Luis Suárez has both scored and assisted in a single game for the first time in all competitions this season for @FCBarcelona. Push pic.twitter.com/BXdsbbgxNS
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 14, 2018
66 min: Terry Gibson points out that Andre Gomes should have gone off. I’ll be honest, I had already written the Portuguese’s name.
65 min: Here comes Dembele who is replacing goalscorer Paulinho. Maybe Barcelona will go more 4-3-3 now.
63 min: Messi does his best to take on the entire Real Sociedad team but is eventually stopped by Illarramendi and Zubeldia, the former is booked for the foul. It really is very wet in San Sebastian now.
62 min: A Real Sociedad corner comes to nothing as Willian Jose flicks his header well wide of goal.
61 min: Pique runs the ball into his own corner and fails to find a way out, so just kicks the ball out for a throw. Looks like Dembele is coming on for Barcelona. The rain is still pouring, updates on the old man snoring to come.
60 min: Sergi Roberto is booked for some shenanigans in the corner relating to a throw-in.
59 min: The few Barcelona fans who have made the trip to San Sebastian will at least get to sample the delights of the pintxos bars, where they can sample some crab, chorizo or maybe even some bacalao. Oyarzabal on for Juanmi for Real Sociedad now.
57 min: Canales is having a very good game but shooting from 50 yards off balance is ambitious. The ball lands comfortably in the arms of Ter Stegen.
56 min: Zurutuza is on the deck and looking like he wants to be replaced. Real Sociedad will be bringing on Zubeldia.
53 min: How will Real Sociedad react to losing a two-goal lead? Barcelona have their tails up now and will not be resting now the scores are level.
Messi finds space and runs at the Real Sociedad defence, before playing in Suarez who hits the ball first time from the left-hand side of the area and the ball loops perfectly beyond Rulli into the top corner. Perfect placement.
GOAL! Real Sociedad 2-2 Barcelona (Luis Suarez, 50)
That’s a stunning finish!
49 min: Messi has his best chance of the game as he goes round Rulli but the goalkeeper gets back up quickly as the Argentine tries to work a shooting opportunity and the No1 lands at his feet and blocks the ball out for a corner.
Sid points out...
When interviewed Paulinho recently, he said part of reason for failure at Spurs was playing on wing (he claimed)...
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) January 14, 2018
47 min: Canales dodges Vermaelen’s outstretched leg and then sends in a shot from 20 yards but it just bounces up into the arms of Ter Stegen. The Spaniard is having a great game tonight!
Kick-off: Real Sociedad 2-1 Barcelona
46 min: Here we go again!
Mark has emailed to say he wants Denis Suarez for Andre Gomes. Let’s hope so, then I can use my anecdote about interviewing Denis Suarez.
That’s what Paulinho is there for...
39' - Paulinho has scored in the first Barcelona's shot on target vs Real Sociedad (min. 39). Psychological pic.twitter.com/6jSKDRaKbR
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 14, 2018
On the upside for Barcelona they do have Dembele and Iniesta on the bench, so things can improve for them. Who will Valverde bring on first?
As Simon points out, Real Sociedad are not the only team to have cursed Barcelona...
“Real Sociedad are a decent team, nothing against them, but they’re not exactly the world famous Dundee United FC, are they? Played Barcelona four times in competitive matches, beat them four times. Easy. Zidane, call me (doing that thing next to ear with first and fourth fingers right now)...”
Updated
Half-time: Real Sociedad 2-1 Barcelona
The home team have been superior is every department and can feel aggrieved to not be further ahead. Willian Jose and Juanmi showed great finishing for their goals but Canales and Odriozola have also been superb for Real Sociedad. Barcelona showed what they’re capable of for their goal but have looked off the pace for the majority of the half.
45 min: Willian Jose earns himself a free-kick after holding off Busquets and Paulinho before almost sending a pass straight through for Canales to run on to.
43 min: Real Sociedad are looking to take the sting out of a Barcelona on the march as they look to take the one-goal advantage into the break. The Catalans look to have upped the tempo a bit but so has the home support as they get behind their team.
A lesson from Mark...
“I had a feeling we wouldn’t get a decision on Zidane until after this match.
“According to Google Translate, “lifeline” in Basque is “lerro”. Didn’t know that before.”
Eskerrrik asko, Mark.
A goal made in South America as Luis Suarez sprints into space down the left and then sends in a pinpoint pass for Paulinho to turn home from close range. Game on!
GOAL! Real Sociedad 2-1 Barcelona (Paulinho, 39)
A tap-in for Paulinho.
Updated
37 min: In the build-up to the Real Sociedad second, Andre Gomes gave the ball away under no pressure, which is pretty much his only involvement in the game as the hosts continue to dominate.
What a pass from Canales as he chips the ball over the Barcelona defence who fail to react as Juanmi runs onto the pass, tries to aim one across Ter Stegen but Sergio Roberto diverts the ball into the net at the front post.
GOAL! Real Sociedad 2-0 Barcelona (Juanmi, 34)
A deflected goal doubles the lead.
Updated
John has been on...
@Will_Unwin Sicknote Canales showing why he was touted as a future great of Spanish football until he started spending as almost as much time injured as Darren Anderton. He’s quality when on form but unfortunately that’s been in spurts during his injury ravaged career.
— John McEnerney (@MackerOnTheMed) January 14, 2018
31 min: Canales is at it again as he chests a pass from Willian Jose and smashes the ball towards Ter Stegen’s right-hand post but the goalkeeper gets down quickly to palm the shot wide.
30 min: Barcelona go close down the other end as Jordi Alba chases a ball into the area but a defender gets there first to steer the ball just beyond his own post.
28 min: A goal is ruled out after Rakitic is supposedly dispossessed illegally by Zuruzeta, followed by Willian Jose firing in a shot which is deflected into the net but the ref’s whistle had blown.
27 min: Former Real Madrid man Canales takes the ball in space, 25 yards from goal but his low drive goes straight into the arms of Ter Stegen.
26 min: More space down the right for Real Sociedad as they try to create enough space for a cross which eventually comes from Prieto but he fails to beat the first man.
24 min: Messi tries to take on Real Sociedad by cutting in from the left but his pass on the edge of the box is cut out. He certainly wants to get on the ball but he’s not shown anything close to his best so far.
22 min: Suarez is down with a sore bum after a very heavy fall following a robust challenge. Now he’s up.
21 min: Real Sociedad have enjoyed a lot of success down the right with Odriozola looking like he has the better of Jordi Alba and the Basque full-back is getting good support from Xabi Prieto.
19 min: Barcelona do not look panicked but they’re not at their speedy best currently. They almost concede a second as Canales gets plenty of space in the box but his fearsome left-footed strike is deflected over.
17 min: The crowd are now enthused following the opener, which is great news for Real Sociedad who also have a spring in their step.
14 min: Barcelona break from a Real Sociedad corner as Messi leads the way to the opposition penalty area. In the end, Rakitic pulls the ball back for Paulinho who has a shot blocked before the ref blows up for something or other.
An update on the inspirational singing from Kari (and Wikipedia).
“Not knowing Basque, I don’t know what she was singing, but I can tell
you that this was Maialen Lujanbio, a two-time champion in the Great
Bertsolari Championship, which is a Basque competition in traditional
improvised poetry where poets have to spontaneously compose poems on
the spot in strict meter on topics that are sprung on them. In case
you think the topics are ‘a spring day’, ‘sad clouds’ or ‘wet
Wednesdays in Stoke’, here’s a topic, according to Wikipedia, she was
given to compose on when she won in 2009: “Maialen, you are a doctor.
You’re observing two children suffering from cancer organising a
wheelchair race in a hospital corridor”.”
GOAL! The experienced Xabi Prieto swings in an absolutely stunning cross from the right wing to the back post where Willian Jose is waiting to head the ball into the wet surface and straight up into the top corner. Will Barcelona’s curse continue here?
GOAL! Real Sociedad 1-0 Barcelona (Willian Jose, 11)
The Brazilian heads home!
Updated
9 min: Sergi Roberto spots space down the right flank and runs onto a pass from Rakitic but the Spaniard’s low cross is cleared by a well-positioned defender. Messi has a go a few moments laters but curls one just wide from 25 yards out.
6 min: Messi takes the ball down on the edge of the area but his pass towards Sergi Roberto is gathered up by Rulli before the marauding full-back can get there.
5 min: All pretty even so far, apart from Suarez going on a his little dribble. Barcelona are getting their foot on the ball now, which they’ll hope is a sign of things to come.
3 min: Suarez goes on a run through the Real Sociedad defence but he is eventually stopped by Rulli diving at the striker’s feet. It was a brave thing for the goalkeeper to do, as proved by him colliding with a defender.
2 min: Paulinho has started the game on the right and Gomes on the left in something close to a 4-4-2, which will allow Messi to wander wherever he so wishes.
Kick-off!
Let’s get ready to rumble!
There’s some lovely singing in Basque, which is what we are all here for. No, I have no idea what she is singing, either. I am sure it’s delightful and good for the soul.
Charles is worried about Andre Gomes coming to England.
“Andre Gomes on the market? Please can no-one tell Arsène Wenger, because Gomes is exactly the wrong-trousers sort of player who might be thought to provide some creativity and reliability in midfield - afters all, that’s what Barcelona thought when they bought him. The worry is, apparently he’s valued at about 20 million euros, which will nicely jangle in Arsène’s pockets when Sánchez goes…”
Martin has been back on to explain that his life is better than mine.
“Messi + Single Malt sounds like an excellent combination. But since I’d have to fly in from Berlin and will probably miss the first half of the game if I do, I’d rather stick here with my glass of Argentinean Malbec and toast to that little magician,” Martin says.
Here come the players...both teams have some lovely jackets on as they walk out to Real Sociedad’s himno.
Remember to get in touch so we can interact like it is actually 2018. I can tell you about what it’s like to live in the Basque Country and fully explain that it rains there permanently. They have more rain than Manchester, which is where I am from, so I’ve spent a lot of my life being rained on.
As mentioned, Barcelona are rubbish (at the Anoeta).
7 - The seven games without a win at Anoeta (L5 D2) mark Barcelona’s worst streak as a visitor in La Liga this century. Hex pic.twitter.com/k0kzG5wTIH
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 14, 2018
We’re just 10 minutes from kick-off on this Sunday night as Barcelona look to further stamp their authority once again on a league which has not troubled them since season. Can Real Sociedad spring a shock? Let’s all hope so.
Luke has been in touch to say: “How’re things at Guardian Towers? My vague hopes for someone other than Barca or Real winning La Liga have been dashed again this season. Ah well. I guess the real romance of the league is seeing how few points Barcelona will drop this season.
“On a different note, I see that Adnan Januzaj is on Sociedad’s bench. Just what happened to him? I recall a time when he burst onto the scene at United and was feted as the next great thing in the making. Lack of application? Seems a shame.”
Well, things are wonderfully sober at Guardian HQ. Surely a glass of Rioja would be appropriate right now? What about some Txakoli?
Maybe the Basque rain will be Messi’s Tuesday night in Stoke, just to make it interesting.
For Januzaj, he has struggled since Moyes thought he was the future at Manchester United. Some have questioned his attitude but he has enjoyed the odd moment of success in Spain. Maybe Moyes should bring him back to England.
As ever, it is raining in the Basque Country...
📸 ¡No queremos que la lluvia ☔️ nos pare! Goazen!!! #RealSociedadBarça pic.twitter.com/ZSBMR3u1F1
— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) January 14, 2018
Martin emails to say my Sunday is his Sunday...
“...plus a glass of red wine.
“It’s very nice to watch and comment soccer for a living, but it takes a bit of the shine away without watching those pristine green pitches without a drink… or was that a flask of whiskey I just saw you quickly putting back in the top drawer?”
I would quite happily greet anyone at the doors to Guardian HQ if they bring booze. I got two bottles of single malt for Christmas and I’m here rather than drinking them.
Is Eusebio feeling the pressure? He spoke to Marca this week...
I’m the coach and I know what my job entails, but rather than thinking about negative possibilities I prefer to focus on working day by day and not thinking about the future.
Backed? I’ve always felt happy at this club, with everything I have around me, but I know I’m the coach and I depend on results, and that’s what I’m working for.
Andre Gomes has been linked with Spurs this month but he’s certainly still in Valverde’s plans. He gets starts on an infrequent basis so this is a further opportunity for him to show he is capable of being a Barcelona player, which many still doubt.
Following Manchester City’s 4-3 defeat at Anfield today, Barcelona are now the only unbeaten team in the ‘big five’ leagues in Europe, so that’s something to hold onto for them as they waltz towards the title.
Will this game be exciting as the Premier League one earlier?
Real Sociedad are not in the best of form at the moment, having lost five of their last seven games, something they’ll be hoping to arrest tonight. Head coach Eusebio is under a bit of pressure currently, so will not be too keen to face former club Barcelona at the Anoeta.
Obviously, you can come join in the chat by emailing me or tweeting me about how your Sunday is better than mine or, alternatively, your views on the match or football in general. The details are up above.
At Espanyol the ball has just hit the spider cam, so the match at the Anoeta has a lot to live up to.
This man will not be feature for Barcelona today...nor will Philippe Coutinho:
As we sit here, the Catalans and Basques are taking on one another in Barcelona, as Espanyol face Athletic Bilbao. The score is currently 1-1.
Ernesto Valverde does not want to focus on the poor record Barcelona have in San Sebastian, he told his press conference this week:
It’s a challenge for us. Everyone finds it tough there. Sometimes there are grounds where you find it harder to win than others, but that (Barca’s record) is the past. We need to write the future.
Updated
Team news
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Vermaelen, Jordi Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Paulinho, Andre Gomes, Luis Suárez, Messi.
Subs: Cillesen, Vidal, Digne, Dembélé, Mascherano, Iniesta, Denis Suárez.
Real Sociedad: Rulli, Odriozola, Llorente, Raul Navas, Rodrigues, Illarramendi, Juanmi, Prieto, Willian Jose, Canales, Zurutuza.
Subs: Ramirez, Zubeldia, Januzaj, Agirretxe, Aritz, Oyarzabal, Gorosabel.
Preamble
Kaixo and hola!
Barcelona are looking to get back their nine point lead over Atlético Madrid here, following the team from the capital’s victory on Saturday at Eibar. The Catalans are also in the Basque region of Gipuzkoa as they hope to dismiss Real Sociedad on their own patch in San Sebastian.
Every point Barcelona earn at the moment is just another reason for their fans to laugh at Real Madrid, who are already 16 points off their arch rivals following Zinedine Zidane’s side’s loss to Villarreal on Saturday.
The visitors have collected just two points from the last seven visits to the Anoeta, which is appalling by anyone’s standards, let alone Barcelona’s.
There will be no Philippe Coutinho for Barcelona as he is currently out injured after his massive move from Liverpool.
Real Sociedad have an injury problem of their own as Iñigo Martínez is missing from their defensive unit but Joseba Agirretxe and Adnan Januzaj have both returned to the bench.
Updated
