La Liga: Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona

Posted on | May 3, 2007 | No Comments

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has been pushing his squad all week in the training ground, as he is quite aware that another slip up in this game could well mean saying goodbye to a third consecutive league trophy. Not all is happiness and light in camp Barca. Although have they putting on a brave smile and refusing to be baited, it’s clear that the dressing room is being divided by its big name stars. The most recent rumour has eight-year-old Argentinean sensation Lionel Messi getting his agent to meet with representatives from Inter Milan. Maybe it will come to nothing, but it is a clear sign that the ‘dream team 2′ is about to wake up. Last weekend Barcelona beat lowly Levante one goal to nil at home, but from the way they played and the dubious goal that won the game, Barcelona have a long way to go to get back their Champions league winning form. What we are seeing here is a team full of nerves. They know that anything other than three points against Real Sociedad will see them lose their leaders position, as second placed Sevilla take on third placed arch-rivals Real Madrid.
As for Real Sociedad, they have curiously won they same amount of points as Barcelona in the last seven games; four wins, two draws and two defeats. They are currently second from bottom and three points behind fellow strugglers Levante and Celta de Vigo, so a home win this weekend is vital to them. I think we could be seeing a great escape for Real. Although they lost last weekend, at home they are starting to play very solid football and are going to cause Barcelona all sorts of problems.
Historically, Barcelona suffer at the Anoeta Stadium. Last year they grabbed it two goals to nil, but then that was an entirely different Barcelona, without the tiredness that is showing now.
I am going to plump for a draw in this match. Real Sociedad probably don’t have the strength to finish off this Barcelona team, but then again Barcelona’s legs are getting heavier and heavier.
Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Related posts:

1. La Liga: Real Sociedad vs. Celta
2. La Liga: Nastic vs. Real Sociedad
3. La Liga: Real Sociedad vs. Athletico Madrid
4. La Liga: Valencia vs. Real Sociedad
5. La Liga: Real Sociedad vs. Racing de Santander

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