After what feels like a long time away, we are finally back to La Liga action. Our second of the new year, and just like it was for our first, away at Espanyol, it’s yet another huge game against a tricky opponent. Live from San Sebastián at 9pm local time, it’s Barça up against Real Sociedad. Games away to Sociedad are always difficult, no matter the occasion, so let’s jump straight into the preview!
A Quick Look at our opponent:
When we take a look at our opponent, Real Sociedad, they aren’t having a great season for their standards. Immanol Aguacil is no longer their coach, and to be honest, they’ve struggled to find any sort of consistency under their new coach. Obviously in recent years, we’ve been used to seeing Real Sociedad fighting for the European spots and getting far in domestic completions too, like the Copa Del Rey. A trophy they actually won only a few years ago. Right now however, they’re nowhere near that.
Floating in 12th place in the table, Real Sociedad are not the team they once were. But that doesn’t mean we can just rock up thinking that it’s going to be a straightforward game. Despite their situation, they’re nowhere near still have players like Oyarzabal, like Kubo who can do damage and in general, they’ve struggled have got a solid team that should be doing better in the league. The atmosphere too, is going to be hostile, like it always is so it’s going to be an awkward and tricky game to navigate. Physically too, you can imagine it will be a testing match under the lights.
Predicted lineup:
Looking at our potential lineup for the game, we went strong in midweek against Racing Santander, and I can only see us going strong once again. From the game in midweek, I can only see a couple of changes. In defence, id be dropping Gerard martin, he didn’t really have a great game the other day but unfortunately he is the only left sided defender we have at the club. Cubarsi needs someone more experienced and of better quality alongside him, to get the best out of Pau too. Martin just isn’t the guy.
In midfield, Bernal had a solid first half and is slowly aging in more power and confidence, but for tonight’s game, its obviously going to be Pedri and Frenkie, with Fermin ahead of them. Who had a great cameo against Racing, that changed the game for us.
In attack, with Lewa coming in as the number 9, Ferran will probably start on the bench. Raphinha isn’t fit enough to play, so Rashford will probably replace him. And then of course, Lamine Yamal doing his magic off the right hand side.
My starting XI:
Joan Garçia
Kounde- Eric- Cubarsi- Balde
Pedri- Frenkie
Yamal- Fermin- Rashford
Lewandowski
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