Barcelona 4-2 Real Sociedad: La Liga post-Messi gloom with win over Real Sociedad
Barcelona started life after Lionel Messi with a 4-2 win over Real Sociedad as the Camp Nou came to terms with the departure of the legendary number 10.
With fans back inside the stadium for the first time in nearly 18 months, Messi’s name chanted in the 10th minute following the 34-year-old’s shock exit and subsequent transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Barca proved they can still win without Messi, with Gerard Pique getting his team off the mark with a headed finish from a Memphis Depay cross. Martin Braithwaite made it 2-0 on the stroke of halftime with a header of his own after being picked out by Frenkie de Jong.
Braithwaite scored his second and Barcelona’s third of the night by pouncing quickly on a Jordi Alba cross that was carried out by Alex Remiro, effectively securing the points for the Catalans.
Substitute Julen Lobete got one back for Real Sociedad with a well-taken finish back across goal and into the far corner of the net before Mikel Oyarzabal gave the visitors a real chance of a comeback with a stunning freekick strike from 25 yards out.
Despite some late nerves, it was too little too late for Real Sociedad as Barca scored a fourth in stoppage time through Sergi Roberto and matched Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid in starting their campaign with a win.
He might not be Messi, but Memphis already looks like he will be a good fit for Barcelona. Braithwaite was impressed, but the Dutchman was the best player on the pitch, particularly in the first half when he created four big opportunities.
Memphis was in the mood to entertain from the start, but there was also a final product to his play. What’s more, he frequently tracked back to help out his teammates defensively. Memphis has waited a long time to prove himself at the Camp Nou, and on this showing, he’s not going to let the opportunity pass him by.
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