If Real Madrid were flat soda in the early match, Barcelona were a bottle of soda with pop rocks dropped inside from the opening kick. Barcelona went on the attack from the opening whistle, pressing the Sociedad defense and barely missing an early goal as Messi and Affelay couldn't finish great chances. After the early flurry, Barca settled in to their typical style of possessing the ball and frequent, accurate passes.
Real Sociedad Vs. Barcelona: Some Xavi Magic Helps Give Barca A 1-0 Lead At Halftime
In the 12th minute, Dani Alves was forced in to action after a nasty tackle from behind on Martin Montoya by Raul Tamudo. Tamudo was shown a yellow card and Montoya left the pitch with what looked like a shoulder or collar bone injury. Two minutes later, Sociedad nearly took the lead after the before mentioned Tamudo just missed wide to the right after a beautiful chip found the forward breaking in on Jose Pinto. It was a busy stretch for Tamudo who Ray Hudson called, “Class in a Glass”.
It was inevitable that Barca would find a goal and it was another masterful bit of creation from Xavi Hernandez in the 29th minute that set things up. The "mutant fly eyed" midfielder (another Hudson-ism) sent a great pass from near the midfield line that sliced through the Sociedad defense like a hot knife through butter. Lionel Messi attempted to get to the pass, but missed, and the ball found Thiago (who appeared to be Xavi's target all along) who had beaten the last defender. Thiago's shot went off the inside of the crossbar and in to the Sociedad net for the young midfielder's second goal on the season.
Xavi and Messi had a laugh during the celebration as Xavi apparently told Messi that ball wasn’t for you. It was a tremendous reaction from Messi to even be close to the pass and an amazing bit of vision and skill by Xavi to see the opening at hit Thiago with a 30+ yard pass.
Despite Sociedad’s best efforts, Barcelona are doing everything right so far as they are 45 minutes from extending their lead over Real Madrid in the league table to 11 points.
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