On May 9, 2015, FC Barcelona faced Real Sociedad at Camp Nou in a La Liga fixture. The match was significant for Barcelona, as they were closing in on the league title. Barcelona secured a 2-0 victory through goals from Neymar and Pedro in the second half, moving them closer to the championship.
Match Overview
Final Score:
- Barcelona 2 – 0 Real Sociedad
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona
Attendance: 86,047
Referee: Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva
Key Match Events
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 51′ | Goal: Neymar (Barcelona) – Header from a Dani Alves cross |
| 85′ | Goal: Pedro (Barcelona) – Spectacular overhead kick |
Barcelona struggled to break down a resilient Real Sociedad defense in the first half but found their rhythm in the second half, with Neymar breaking the deadlock and Pedro sealing the win with a brilliant acrobatic finish.
Player Performances
FC Barcelona
| Player | Position | Minutes Played | Goals | Assists | Shots | Pass Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudio Bravo | GK | 90 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Dani Alves | DF | 90 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 87% |
| Piqué | DF | 90 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 89% |
| Mascherano | DF | 90 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 91% |
| Jordi Alba | DF | 90 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 84% |
| Rakitic | MF | 78 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 85% |
| Busquets | MF | 90 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 92% |
| Iniesta | MF | 78 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 88% |
| Messi | FW | 90 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 83% |
| Neymar | FW | 90 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 80% |
| Suárez | FW | 83 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 78% |
Real Sociedad
| Player | Position | Minutes Played | Goals | Assists | Shots | Pass Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rulli | GK | 90 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Carlos Martínez | DF | 90 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 80% |
| Ansotegi | DF | 90 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 82% |
| Mikel González | DF | 90 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 83% |
| Yuri | DF | 90 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 81% |
| Xabi Prieto | MF | 78 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 85% |
| Bergara | MF | 90 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 87% |
| Granero | MF | 64 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 84% |
| Canales | MF | 82 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 81% |
| Vela | FW | 90 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 78% |
| Finnbogason | FW | 70 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 75% |
Tactical Analysis
Barcelona’s Approach:
Barcelona, under Luis Enrique, deployed their usual 4-3-3 formation, emphasizing possession and quick passing. They focused on creating width through Dani Alves and Jordi Alba, while Messi and Neymar looked to penetrate the Sociedad defense with dribbles and quick combinations.
Real Sociedad’s Strategy:
Real Sociedad, managed by David Moyes, set up in a compact 4-4-2, aiming to frustrate Barcelona and hit them on the counter-attack. Despite a solid defensive effort in the first half, they struggled to maintain their shape under constant pressure from Barcelona’s attackers in the second half.
Key Statistics
| Statistic | Barcelona | Real Sociedad |
|---|---|---|
| Possession (%) | 73 | 27 |
| Shots on Target | 9 | 2 |
| Total Shots | 20 | 7 |
| Corners | 7 | 3 |
| Fouls | 10 | 14 |
| Offsides | 2 | 1 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 3 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Pass Accuracy (%) | 88 | 78 |
| Saves | 2 | 7 |
Post-Match Reaction
Luis Enrique praised his team’s persistence and ability to break down a well-organized defense. Neymar’s goal was crucial in breaking the deadlock, and Pedro’s acrobatic effort was a testament to Barcelona’s flair and attacking prowess. David Moyes acknowledged his team’s strong defensive performance but lamented their inability to sustain it for the full 90 minutes.
Summary
This match showcased Barcelona’s dominance in La Liga, as they continued their march towards the title with a decisive win over Real Sociedad. The victory highlighted the quality and depth of Barcelona’s squad, particularly in attack, where Neymar and Pedro were the standout performers.
For further details on the match, including highlights and additional statistics, you can visit Sky Sports
