A dominant display by Hansi Flick’s men as Barca beat Real Sociedad 4-0 at the Montjuic. Gerard Martin and Marc Casado scored their first goal for Futbol Club Barcelona and Dani Olmo bagged two assists along with the MVP award for the match.
Early minutes of suffering
In the opening minutes of the game, Barca struggled to control the game. La Blaugrana were attacking but didn’t have the game under control as Real Sociedad had a fair part of possession. Real Sociedad scored in the 3rd minute, but luckily for Barca, the referee called offside.
A red card that changed the game
In the 17th minute, Lewandowski flicked a ball for Dani Olmo, who was through on goal. Although it would be unfair to give the credit for Barca’s success in this game solely to this moment, a sending-off for Aritz Elustondo shifted the odds in their favor. Barca achieved a numerical advantage in every area of the pitch and attacks kept flowing for them.
Lamine and Olmo’s combined magic for Martin’s goal
In the 25th minute, Lamine Yamal danced past defenders on the right and gave a pass to Dani Olmo, who, instead of taking a shot, cleverly lifted into the path of Gerard Martin, who struck it in. The La Masia graduate celebrated his first goal for Barcelona by kissing the badge.
Marc Casado gets lucky
Just four minutes after the first goal, Dani Olmo took a shot from outside the box, which appeared to be wide. However, a touch by Marc Casado deflected it in, giving Alex Remiro no time to react. The youngster celebrated mildly by kissing the badge as his teammates congratulated him.
Ronald Araujo: right place, right time
At halftime, Barca looked firmly in control and poised for victory, with more goals anticipated in the second half. La Blaugrana did not disappoint as a corner from Raphinha met Lewandoski’s header, which forced a save out of Remiro. Unluckily for him, Ronaldo Araujo was in the perfect position to head it in to score his 2nd goal of the season.
Strategic substitutions by Hansi Flick
Up until now, Pedri, as usual, was running the show with plenty of attempts to get on the score sheet, one of which hit the post, which could have a Worldie and a half. Considering the important match against Benfica in the Champions League round of 16 on 6th March, Hansi Flick called important players off. The good score allowed Barca to feel comfortable, prompting Flick to substitute Raphinha, Cubarsi, and Pedri.
Lewandowski extends his lead for Pichichi
Ronald Araujo, hungry for another goal, took a shot against Real Sociedad’s low block, which, just like Dani Olmo’s shot, appeared to be going wide. However, Robert Lewandowski flicked it in the other direction and sent Remiro the wrong way, as the ball ended in the back of the net. Lewandowski scored his 21st goal of the season in La Liga, extending the difference from Kylian Mbappe to four goals.
Fermin Lopez and Hector Fort entered the game in the 71st and 76th minutes, respectively. Lamine Yamal continued his efforts to score a goal but to no avail as it ended 4-0 at the Montjuic, taking Barca on top of the table with 57 points.