Left-back Jordi Alba produced a rare right-footed winner as measured La Liga champions Barcelona did just enough to dispatch Real Sociedad 2-1 on Saturday night.
A first half of few chances at Camp Nou came to life before the interval when uncapped French centre-back Clement Lenglet rose to flick home countryman Ousmane Dembele’s corner for his first top-flight goal for the leaders.
La Real, however, remained undaunted and midfielder Mikel Merino’s slide-rule pass was well converted by forward Juanmi past the hour mark. Parity would last for only two minutes as Alba then cut inside and curled home an unstoppable third goal of the campaign, restoring a nine-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid with five fixtures to fulfil and keeping their weekend opponents down in 10th.
Here are the Barca player ratings:
BARCELONA (4-3-3)
Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 6: Looked on with despondence when Juanmi slid in the leveller. Only faced two shots on target, despite La Real’s promise.
Nelson Semedo – 6: Portuguese right-back’s first La Liga start in three weeks was a solid, if not spectacular, affair.
Gerard Pique – 5: Movement of Juanmi left the veteran centre-back flatfooted for visitors’ goal. Might have longed for another rest.
Clement Lenglet – 7: Measured header broke the deadlock towards end of first half. Battled away with Jose.
Jordi Alba – 7: Cut inside and finished with real aplomb, via his unfavoured right boot. What a performer.
Arturo Vidal – 5: If the Chile battler was meant to keep a lid on Sociedad, his return of zero tackles or interceptions didn’t help.
Arthur – 7: Brazil centre midfielder’s enforced removal on 55 minutes after a collision was only true worry of night. Recovered 94.9-per-cent pass accuracy.
Ivan Rakitic – 7: The Croatia midfielder’s work, as usual, was understated. Led the way with 63 passes as he, effectively, filled in for the rested Busquets.
Lionel Messi – 6: Talk of a hat-trick to reach 600 goals for Barca did not bear out, for once. Didn’t really look like scoring.
Luis Suarez – 5: Uruguay centre forward produced only one attempt on goal. A rare game spent as a passenger in 2019.
Ousmane Dembele – 7: Recovery from injury continued with this cameo, containing the corner for Lenglet’s opener.
SUBSTITUTES
Sergio Busquets – 6: Played longer than expected after Arthur suffered a knock.
Philippe Coutinho – 6: Made no real impact, notching one shot and one key pass.
Sergi Roberto – N/A: Just the four touches for the 89th-minute replacement.
