Real Sociedad vs Barcelona summary: score, goals, highlights, LaLiga Santander
Real Sociedad 1-4 Barcelona: how it happened
Barça pick up solid win
The scoreline of 1-4 could be seen as flattering to Barça given the impressive performance put in by their hosts on Sunday night, but the signs were there throughout. What seemed to turn those signs into goals was the introduction of Ansu Fati. What a talent!
As I mentioned earlier in the coverage, there are still question marks around some of the defensive aspects of the team, but that creativity and attacking threat that they now carry will cause problems for any team, especially as they get more pitchtime together.
Xavi is delighted with that, speaking immediately after the final whistle about how the players put in to action much of what they've been training on, especially in the second half, being more composed in possession when in the opposition half.
Next up: Valladolid on Sunday 28 August (with a Man City friendly before that)
Peep, peep, peeeeeep! The final whistle blows and it's a job very well done for Xavi's men.
There will be three added minutes here.
The game now feeling like both sets of players are settling. At one goal difference, and even two with the amount of time still on the clock, hope existed. That fourth goal took out all the Basque wind from the sails and there's even a hint of a swagger about Barça.
The hosts are trying to get themselves another goal before time runs out - a win is now beyond them - but even a goal is looking so much less likely than before. Barça have quickly turned a balanced game into one they are very much managing out.
What an introduction the young Spaniard has been from Xavi. Barça fans must be licking their lips at his return following that horrible injury.
A cool finish to the side of Remiro after latching onto a neat Lewy back flick. Game over.
The mood around the Anoeta has changed. There is still the noise you'd expect from this group of supporters - and they know their heroes will never give up the cause - but Barça have the look of a team in control of proceedings.
More subs being made (you can see them in the 'line-ups' tab above) in the hope of changing fortunes.
Lewandowski makes it three before we have a chance to settle.
For all the spectacular goals he's scored, he's also bagged many, many from right in front of the target. Right place, right time, stroked home with the confidence of a man who's targeting a birthday hat-trick.
Dembélé puts Barça ahead after linking up with recently-introduced Ansu Fati. A sweet strike with his left foot from the left across the front of Remiro into the right side-netting.
More possession in the final third from Barça but the space is very limited and hence a killer pass all the harder to find. Lewandowski is not getting much of the ball and - I may regret saying this - is potentially not the front man Xavi thought he needed.
That said, he's just picked out a crossed ball outside the area with a high foot and got a shot away with his second touch. No doubting he's top notch!
Barça have managed to create a couple of decent chances in recent minutes, the best falling to Gavi who was just outnumbered by blue and white stripes but this game remains really balanced.
Sociedad started last season brilliantly and have shown tonight that they still have enough quality to do the same again this year. Keeping it going till the end is always the biggest challenge.
La Real goal ruled out
A bit of a lull in any significant play is ended with a free-kick to the hosts, deep on the right.
The dead ball curves inwards and goes straight in at the far post but the flag goes up on a number of players in offside positions, at least a couple making attempts to touch the ball in front of Ter Stegen. Pretty clear decision to rule that out.
We often focus on the attacking and creative aspects of this new Xavi team, and understandably so, but questions remain over the defence he is building. Eric Garcia and Araujo are in the side tonight and have been far from dominant, while Dest doesn't appear to be popular with the coach.
Time will tell if a solid framework is found.
The first two minutes are like a game of hot potato, neither set of midfielders managing to hold on to the ball for more than the briefest of periods.
Peep! Real Sociedad, shooting from left to right as I look on, get the second half underway.
The players are heading out of the tunnel and we are almost ready to go again. Can we expect a similar start to the first 45? Here's hoping...
Half-time mutterings
What a blistering start we had to the game! A Lewandowski first for his new club could have put a dampener on things inside the first minute but within five we had a leveller, and one I should apologise for.
My real-time version of events suggested the dink over Ter Stegen was significantly helped with a deflection. I've since watched the replay a couple of times and can give all the praise to Isak. What a finish, at pace, and following a great run.
Two top strikers showing us how nets can be attacked.
At the break, I'd not put much money on picking a winner. If I had to though, based on what I've seen, it would be the visitors. Yes, La Real have threatened, and definitely will have chances in the second half, but I expect Barça's control to grow.
Prediction: 2-3
Peep! The half-time whistle blows and we can all take a breather.
After that Silva scare, Barça have reacted well and both Gavi and Lewandowski almost got on the end of tidy passes but Remiro came out on top on both occasions.
Those appear to be the final plays of the first half.
We'll be having an extra two minutes here in Anoeta
Ter Stegen denies Silva
Good period of Barça possession, without causing too many issues to the home defence, comes to an end with a sharp interception.
That allows a controlled counter to develop which ends with a fabulous save from Ter Stegen to deny David Silva. The former Valencia and Man City star had pulled away from his marker inside the box, was found with a cutback from the right, and placed it perfectly inside the near post... until a German hand was stuck out.
I should point out, for those that have not been paying attention, that the early Lewandowski goal quickly put an end to any thoughts of a new Barça record being set.
They'd never gone four league games without scoring...
This is like two middlewieghts going at each other, both jabbing, sometimes frantically, other times more measured, and trying to find that crucial gap or lapse in concentration.
Isak goes over in the area and the nearby stands scream for a penalty. It never was, and most probably know that.
The pattern of the game (how on earth did we get half and hour in?) is settling to Barça having a slower, more Xavi-like attacking style, with some exceptions thrown in where appropriate.
Although La Real are also enjoying a decent amount of possession, they are much more threatening on the counter and have those aforementioned weapons at their disposal.
"Oooooh... Ooooohh!" goes the crowd.
After a lot of too-ing and fro-ing, another streaming counter has the home crowd raising the volume. Merino down the left has a chance and stings the hands of Ter Stegen. The rebound falls to Kubo who steps inside a defender then fires just wide.
Birthday goal
As I said in the build-up, Lewy would love a match ball to take home on his special day. Scoring the first inside a minute gives him a decent chance.
More fabulous play from both sets of players, at least in an attacking sense.
First it's the hosts, bombing forward with plenty of purpose and almost fashioning a shot but just not getting the space to do so, given the numbers in the Barça area.
From that, Pedri batters away down the left wing, at rather a surprising speed, I have to admit. He feeds Dembélé and Barça create a couple of half chances before being forced to recycle it back to the French forward who fires in a very tempting cross for Lewy. Defenders win.
Isak appears, unsurprisingly, to be the man targeted every time La Real get possession in the middle of the park.
That space in behind the Barça defenders could be a happy hunting ground for the speedy Swede.
Decent strike from Ferran Torres but it's blocked well before it can cause too much damage. Both teams looking to get control but neither managing it quite yet.
Isak has something for the crowd, a stunning break and goal.
The Swede is released down the right channel and as he sprints into the area it initially appears that he's dinked it over Ter Stegen at an incredible angle but his effort is aided by a deflection of the sliding defender.
Still, it's all square and the noise levels are cranked up.
The game has started at a lightening pace and that goal from the Pole came immediately after superb build up and decent chance from the hosts.
Let's see what else they have to liven up a still enthusiastic crowd.
Barcelona kick-off, La Real attack, Barça break, Lewandowski scores.
I'll elaborate in a moment
Peep! We're underway
OK, the anthem has been sung - hairs standing up - the players and managers have done their politeness, and now we are ready to get the show on the road.
Isak is a homer
This is proving to be a good place for recent goals for Alexander Isak who has scored three of his last four league goals at home.
It's also where he scored his only career goal against Barcelona. Just saying!
No Busquets, no goals
The two points in the title are not directly related but both are on the mind tonight.
That goalless draw against Rayo Vallecano also saw Sergio Busquets pick up a red card and so is out for this clash. Can you believe that is just his second red in 452 league appearances?
The other thing about the lack of goals last week is that it threatens a worrying record being logged.* If Xavi's new-look side fail to bother Remiro's net then it will be the fourth in a row. They have never gone that long before without scoring in the league (the current run of three hadn't happened since 2003).
*For the record, I don't think it will
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/diarioas/WICG7LXGVGO2HN5ZYXVJI36MS4.jpg)
In case you missed it, Barça's rivals Real Madrid (we're assuming the blaugrana will be able to make a better attempt at pushing them this year!) have two wins from two this season, along with Villarreal, Osasuna and Real Betis.
If you want to relive Los Blancos' 4-1 win against Celta, here you go...
Kubo habla español
In case you were wondering - as many do about foreign players coming to Spain - young Kubo has a very decent grasp of the local language.
Here he is giving a message to the Txuri-Urdin fans.
No doubt you'll be hanging around with me till the full-time whistle but if you're one of those who prefers seeing the actual game rather than just someone else's words about it, check out this handy guide to how you can watch.
La Real vs Barça: starting player thoughts
So, what is your take on those starting line-ups? (Feel free to actually answer that in the comments section)
I have to say that I'm rather excited about watching the link up between David Silva, Kubo and Isak from the off.
For the visitors, clearly there is an incredible amount of attacking talent, young and old, to whet the creative appetite, and it's notable, given all the off-field chat, that Frenkie de Jong takes his place in that midfield.
Starting XI: Barcelona
Ter Stegen; Araújo, Éric, Christenssen, Balde; De Jong, Gavi, Pedri; Ferran, Dembele, Lewandowski
Starting XI: Real Sociedad
Remiro; Elustondo, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Aihen Muñoz; Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, David Silva; Kubo, Brais Méndez, Isak
Is Kubo the La Real deal?
Many remain excited by the progress of 21-year-old Takefusa Kubo, who became the second youngest player to score on his LaLiga debut for the club since the turn of the century.
It looks as though he'll start tonight in front of his home crowd but will know that a win here would be just the second time they've opened the season with two victories in 13 league campaigns.
What a way to do it...
Lewandowski hoping for more celebrations
Every day we're a little bit older and once a year we get to blow out some candles to acknowledge the ticking of time.
Today is the chance for new Barça striker Lewandowski to do just that and he'll be hoping to get a match ball to take home too.
Fancy his shirt? Here's your chance...
LaLiga: how they stand
OK, OK, I know we've only had one game of the season but everyone loves a glance at the table (just ask Arsenal fans in the EPL each year before a ball has even been kicked!)
Anyway, all this graphic shows is that La Real collected three points first time out - a 0-1 victory in Cádiz - while the Camp Nou saw no goals when Rayo came to town.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Basque Country welcomes Barça boys
San Sebastián is undoubtedly one of the best cities Spain has to offer - if you haven't already been there please aim to do so.
Xavi and his players arrived there earlier and were signing stuff for the fans.
The Reale Arena awaits
Apologies if during the forthcoming hustle and bustle of the match I refer to our hosting venue tonight as the Anoeta Stadium. It's currently known as the 'Reale Arena' for sponsorship purposes. (Truth is, I don't actually care very much but don't tell them that!)
FYI the capacity here in beautiful San Sebastián is 39,500 and we can expect it to be full to the rafters come kick-off.
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona live: welcome
Hello and a very warm welcome to our latest live coverage from LaLiga Santander.
It's only the second week of the new season but already the exceptionally high demands on FC Barcelona mean that only a win at the Anoeta tonight will be good enough, with their opening day home draw still in mind.
La Real, however, have their own ambitions, and beating one of the pre-season favourites for the title will certainly help with those.
Stay with me as I keep you across all the action and a few other bits and bobs along the way.