Defeat ends Barça’s 7 month unbeaten run

Barcelona (FCB).- Seven and a half months –and 32 games- after their last defeat, Barça lost just their second game of the campaign in Anoeta this evening, as Real Sociedad beat them 2-1 and kept them from equalling their own record run of 32 unbeaten games held since the 1979/80 season.

Barça began well, with Thiago opening the scoring just before the half hour, but faded after the break, as they lost possession and control when Ifrán and Xabi Prieto turned the result around. After Madrid’s 2-3 defeat against Zaragoza, Barça now need 4 points to take the title.

Montoya injury

Guardiola sent out a new looking starting 11, with Fontàs as left back and Montoya, who was unfortunately carried off injured after just 15 minutes following a foul by Tamudo, on the right. Xavi sat in the middle, Thiago and Keita either side of him and Jeffren and Afellay played out wide. Alves came on for Montoya and the team didn’t look to be missing the regulars as they began to turn on their usual style.

Beautiful Thiago goal

Knowing the importance of a win, Barça were putting together some great moves and on 29 minutes, Xavi saw Thiago as he slipped into space and played the perfect pass through for the youngster to chip over Bravo for a beautiful opening goal.

Ifrán draws hosts level

The second half saw Real, themselves desperate for points, fight back and pin Barça back. Lasarte threw on Zurutuza and Ifrán for Rivas and Tamudo and Ifran got the equaliser as the hosts robbed Barça of possession and control.

Real take the lead

Barça were then hit by three tough blows –a wrongly disallowed goal from Milito and his injury- which meant he was subbed by Busquets - as he scored and then Real’s taking the lead with a Xabi Prieto penalty after a Mascherano foul. Pinto very nearly stopped Prieto’s penalty, but the damage was done and although Barça pushed hard till the end, it wasn’t to be and they went down to just their second defeat of the campaign..

 

THE DETAIL

Goals

0-1, Thiago (min 29)

1-1, Ifrán (min 71)

2-1, Xabi Prieto (pen, min 82)