La Liga Matchday 15: Barcelona Stick Five Past Real Sociedad, Real Madrid Ruthlessly Dispose of Real Zaragoza

Real Zaragoza came out all guns firing, but they were quickly reminded of the enormous gulf in class between themselves and tonights rivals Real Madrid, as Mourinhos men picked them off with three sucker punches at just the right time. The opening ten minutes was all Zaragoza, but having failed to turn their initial supremecy into a goal, Real Madrid took over with the sort of ruthless counter attacking football that will serve them well in their battle at the top with Barcelona.

Just when they were beginning to get a foothold in the match, Real Madrid scored with their first real chance. Marcelo, who out in an exceptional performance, recieved an outrageous backheel from Cristiano Ronaldo before sending a superb crossfield pass through to Mesut Ozil who slotted past Leo Franco. Karim Benzema then had a glaring chance to make it two, before two goals either side of half-time killed Real Zaragoza off.

When Barcelona play like this, there’s just no stopping them. When you have the three Balon D’Or finalists in your starting XI in Xavi, Messi and Iniesta, you know you have a special team on your hands. Obviously to those who follow Barcelona, it’s nothing new, but it still doesn’t stop you from watching on in awe as Barca go from game to game, tearing into their opposition with ruthless efficiency, churning out a brand of football the like of which we are unlikely to see for a long time.

Pep Guardiola stated after the match that the Camp Nou crowd are a lucky bunch to be living this moment with their team. To be able to enjoy the magic that Iniesta and Leo Messi produce week in week out. Tonights victims were La Liga surprise package, newly-promoted Real Sociedad. Entering the match in sixth place, Martin Lasartes side will have been quietly confident of producing an upset. Not a chance.

Barcelona vs Real Sociedad (Sunday)

If ever there was a time to face Barcelona, Real Sociedad will surely feel that Sunday night is not it. Barca are on an astounding run of fives games, 21 goals scored, 0 conceded. Scary statistics indeed, especially when you throw in a 5-0 win over Real Madrid and a mammoth 0-8 thrashing of Almeria. The Catalans will be without Jeffren who strained a stomach muscle in the midweek Champions League tie against Rubin Kazan, but both Seydou Keita and Bojan make returns to the first-team squad. With the exception of Espanyol, Real Sociedad have been this seasons surprise package and enter the match in sixth place in the league. Both manager Martin Lasarte and star midfielder Xabi Prieto have stated that anything is possible in football, and Hercules proved it with their win at the Camp Nou earlier in the season. Catch Barcelona on an off-day and they might spring a surprise but the odds are heavily stacked against them.