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Real Sociedad logo
La Liga | Gameweek 2
Aug 21, 2022 at 9pm UK
Reale Arena
Barcelona logo

Real Sociedad
1 - 4
Barcelona

Isak (6')
Elustondo (21'), Le Normand (41')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Lewandowski (1', 68'), Dembele (66'), Fati (79')
Araujo (51')

How Barcelona could line up against Real Sociedad

How Barcelona could line up against Real Sociedad
© Reuters
Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up in Saturday's La Liga clash with Real Sociedad.

After Barcelona dropped two points against Rayo Vallecano in a 0-0 draw at Camp Nou on matchday one, head coach Xavi could be considering changes for his side's trip to Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Sergio Busquets received a second yellow card in injury-time against Rayo so he will serve a one-match suspension, with Franck Kessie and Frenkie De Jong battling to replace him in the deep-lying midfield role.

Given that both midfielders made a positive impact on the game after coming on during the second half, Xavi could elect to start both of them, with Gavi making way after a below-par performance.

That would free up Pedri to be a more creative influence in the final third, with Kessie and De Jong providing greater physicality and mobility for what represents a tough away match.

In defence, new signing Jules Kounde has still not been registered, with the club needing to move more players off their wage bill before they can do so. Andreas Christensen had a decent debut following his move from Chelsea, and he could be partnered by Sergio Araujo, who struggled at right-back against Rayo but looked more assured after moving inside to his preferred central role.

That would leave Sergi Roberto as the primary option to provide more natural ability at right-back, with Eric Garcia dropping out of the starting XI.

In attack, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski both blanked on debut but they will almost certainly start again, with Ansu Fati potentially replacing Ousmane Dembele on the left flank after an extremely bright cameo.

Ferran Torres was an unused substitute after his recent foot injury, so the former Manchester City forward will hope to receive crucial minutes from the bench this time around.

Barcelona possible starting lineup: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Christensen, Araujo, Alba; De Jong, Kessie, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Fati

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Written by
Brett Curtis
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How you voted: Real Sociedad vs Barcelona

Real Sociedad
14.1%
Draw
18.3%
Barcelona
67.6%
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Barcelona attacker Raphinha celebrates scoring against Real Madrid on July 23, 2022
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Barcelona19122551222938
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Mallorca199371921-230
6Villarreal177642928127
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Osasuna186752327-425
10Celta Vigo187382728-124
11Real BetisBetis176652021-124
12Sevilla176471823-522
13Rayo Vallecano175661920-121
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe183781115-416
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1743101629-1315
19Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512
20Valencia162591424-1011


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