Barça lost 0-1 in a match in which they were unable to find any answers to the difficulties posed by Real Sociedad. The Barça players left the field visibly unsatisfied, as the defeat came at a key moment in the season.
With this defeat, Hansi Flick recorded his second consecutive defeat against Real Sociedad, which increases doubts about the team's solidity away from home.
Problems at the Goal
One of the main problems that Barça faced during the match was getting the ball out.
Real Sociedad, as usual, pressed very well and Barça players had serious difficulties in overcoming that pressure. During the match, Barça's players tried to solve the situation by talking amongst themselves to create play from the back.
Casadó, one of the most outstanding youngsters in the team, was key in those moments of dialogue. He tried to mediate between Íñigo Martínez and Iñaki Peña, who seemed unable to find the necessary connection in that exit. As for Pedri and Cubarsí, they also exchanged a few words, looking for solutions to the pressure exerted by the locals.
Íñigo Martínez's Warning
One of the most tense moments of the night occurred when Íñigo Martínez, after a difficult ball, warned his teammate Iñaki Peña.
The Basque footballer, visibly frustrated, said to the goalkeeper: "Iñaki, don't give me that ball, I'm not alone. I'm going to lose it." It was a clear sign of the discomfort felt by the Barça players at not finding a clear and effective way out.
Minutes later, Iñaki Peña sent a long ball to Lewandowski but the Pole didn't fight for the ball, which was left to the Real defense. The ball reached Sucic, who headed it into the goal. Cubarsí, slipping, allowed the goal in the first minute of the second half.
Flick's Astonishment and Cubarsí's Bewilderment
The cameras captured the astonishment of coach Hansi Flick after Real Sociedad's goal. The German coach couldn't believe how his team had conceded such an early goal and after such an unfortunate play. Meanwhile, Cubarsí, visibly affected by his mistake, was pulling the grass off the field, a gesture that showed his discomfort with what had happened.
The goal marked a turning point for Barça, which was never able to react strongly enough to tie the game. Although the team tried several times, the lack of effectiveness in the final meters contributed to the defeat.