Barcelona Stun Dominant Sociedad with Unbelievable Victory, Girona Take Top Spot in La Liga
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez admits that football can sometimes be unpredictable, as his team managed to secure a last-minute victory over Real Sociedad. Despite not playing well for most of the match, Barcelona snatched the win with Ronald Araujo’s goal. Xavi suggests that the Clasico defeat still lingered in the minds of his players, resulting in a lack of intensity. However, he acknowledges the importance of the three points.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez expressed his thoughts on the “inexplicable” nature of football following Ronald Araujo’s last-minute winner that secured an undeserved 1-0 victory for Barcelona against Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday. Despite struggling to create clear chances throughout the game, Barcelona managed to snatch the win with Araujo’s header. This victory places Barcelona in third position, two points ahead of Atletico Madrid and one point behind second-placed Real Madrid.
This result comes after Barcelona’s disappointing defeat in the Clasico against Real Madrid, where they felt they deserved to win. Xavi acknowledged that his team may have been affected by the aftermath of that game, as they lacked the intensity they desired against Real Sociedad. Xavi introduced Robert Lewandowski into the starting lineup, but the Polish forward had little impact on the match.
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Real Sociedad dominated the first half, creating better chances but failing to convert them. Barcelona improved in the second half, tightening their defense and reducing spaces for the hosts’ attacking players. Pedri made his return from injury to add more control to Barcelona’s midfield, and they had a late opportunity to score through Gavi, but were denied by Sociedad’s goalkeeper.
However, Araujo’s late goal secured the win for Barcelona, prompting Xavi to express his satisfaction with the victory. Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal admitted that his team should have capitalized on their chances earlier in the match.
In another match, Girona continued their impressive start to the season with a comeback victory over Osasuna, which propelled them to the top of the league. Girona coach Michel acknowledged that his team is not competing with Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid, but rather with the teams aiming to establish themselves in the top four.
Other results included Real Betis defeating Real Mallorca 2-0, and a 1-1 draw between Celta Vigo and Sevilla. Nabil Fekir made his return from injury for Betis as a substitute.
