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  • Sports - Football - Scores & Fixtures
  • Updated: January 13, 2021

Real Sociedad vs Barcelona: End To Trophy Drought

Real Sociedad vs Barcelona: End To Trophy Drought

Real Sociedad would lock horns with Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup mini-tournament as the winner will face either Real Madrid or Athletic Bilbao in the final scheduled to be played in Spain rather than Saudi Arabia.

Lionel Messi led-Barcelona finished last season trophyless and would look to bounce back to glory days with their first trophy since 2018-2019 season.

After a poor start to the season with 4 losses, 4 draws Barcelona's 3 games winning streak has propelled them to 3rd in La Liga with 7 points from the top spot.

Ronald Koeman has been able to get some steam off him with consecutive wins and a trophy will give him somewhat of a job guarantee even after the election at the Catalonia club.

Messi, Pedri, Griezmann and Dembele are pulling in the same direction at the moment which is really crucial for the Blaugrana with the return of Champions League football at the horizon -  to face Pochettino's PSG - a self-proclaimed foe of the Espanyol's derby rival.

READ ALSO: Spanish Super Cup: Barca vs Sociedad, Real vs Athletic

Real Sociedad were early pacesetters in the La Liga for the 2020-21 season but consecutive losses against Barcelona, Levante, and Atletico Madrid have seen them dropped to 5th on the standings.

They had been without a trophy since winning the Segunda division in 2009-10 season - they could have had the chance to clinch the Copa del Rey last season but the COVID-19 enforced lockdown took that from them.

The ripple effect of the Copa del Rey final gave them direct qualification for the Spanish cup - which is to be played by the winner of the League, runner-up in the league, winner of the Copa del Rey and the runner up in the latter.

After over 6 games unbeaten run in all competitions, Barcelona ended their streak with a defeat at the Camp Nou which opened the door for other teams to trample on the Anoeta outfit.

Sociedad have made significant changes in the summer to the side who are into the Europa last 32 to face Manchester United later in February especially with the signing of former Manchester City playmaker David Silva.

TEAM TALK - BARCELONA

Barcelona are currently in top form especially with Lionel Messi's back to his scoring form -- his trademark move of scoring from set-pieces. Griezmann is also back to his stride that saw him leave Sociedad to Atleti and now Barcelona.

Lenglet, Ronald Araujo, Jordi Alba and Sergino Dest are all proving to be effective in both defending and pushing the ball forward into the opposition final third.

The return of Andre Marc Ter-Stegen between the sticks has given some solidarity to the defensive line even when their frailties are left bare in a counter-attacking pattern.

If things remain the same, Barcelona are favourite to progress into the final -- clinching the trophy for the 18th time in the club's history .

TEAM TALK - REAL SOCIEDAD

Sociedad are 4th on the scoring chart in La Liga Santander this term with 29 goals behind Barcelona (37), Atletico (31), Real Madrid (30).

Though thanks to 6 penalty goals more than any other side in the Spanish top flight but they have been able to covert 80 of their shot on target to goals which is remarkable for Imanol Alguacil's side.

Sociedad's top scorer Oyarzabal (7 goals) in all competition is fit, partnered by the Swedish Alexander Isak (6) would be the tip of the spear in the attack on Wednesday night.

An early goal will be all they need as Barcelona has been known to concede goals very early in the game.

Spanish shot-stopper Alex Remiro needs to be on his toe to be able to combat Messi, Griezmann, Dembele and Pedri attacking quartet as they could be telepathic.

It would be a game of real challenge as both sides. are looking to end their trophy drought and hunger could be the difference going forward.

There would be no chance for home advantage as fans would be not be allowed nor is the game played on home turf, the location is in Cordoba at the Nuevo Arcángel.

 

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