Barcelona Vs Sociedad 4-2: Blaugrana Starts Era Without Messi, Braithwaite Becomes Field Star

Martin Braithwaite (Twitter @FCbarcelona)

JAKARTA - Barcelona started the era without Lionel Messi with a 4-2 victory over Real Sociedad in the opening weekend of La Liga at Camp Nou, early Monday.

Launching Antara, since the beginning of the match, Barcelona dominated possession and made it difficult for the visitors to develop their game.

In the 19th minute, Barcelona successfully opened the scoring through Gerard Pique's header utilizing a Memphis Depay free kick. Score 1-0 to the Blaugrana.

A good start. pic.twitter.com/YRUWPuPeji

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 15, 2021

The lead was continued by Barcelona, who continued to dominate the game, but had to wait until first-half injury time to double their lead through Martin Braithwaite's goal, which headed in Frenkie de Jong's cross.

After the break, Barcelona did not relax their possession of the ball. Meanwhile, Sociedad tried to make changes by pulling out David Silva and Adnan Januzaj.

In the 59th minute, Braithwaite scored his second goal to widen Barcelona's lead to 3-0. The former Leganes striker swiftly grabbed a wild ball from goalkeeper Alex Remiro's imperfect save on Jordi Alba's pull pass.

Winning three goals to make Barcelona began to appear relaxed. As a result, Sociedad was able to take advantage of the home team's negligence in the 82nd minute through Julen Lobete's action after working with Ander Barrenetxea to reduce the 1-3 lag.

Goals Real Sociedad. Julen Lobete. 3-1. #BarçaRealSociedad

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 15, 2021

The goal lifted Sociedad's spirits and three minutes later Mikel Oyarzabal fired a free-kick over the live fence and beat goalkeeper Neto to make it 2-3.

Sociedad's hopes of an equalizer were dashed after Barcelona sealed their win to 4-2 in injury time through Sergi Roberto's goal completing a cross from Braithwaite.

This victory makes Barcelona sit second in the 2021/22 La Liga standings with 3 points. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad had to settle for sitting in 19th place with no points.

Lineup:

Barcelona 4-3-3: Net ; Sergino Dest (Emerson 71'), Eric Garcia (Ronald Araujo 83'), Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba; Frenkie de Jong (Sergi Roberto 71'), Sergio Busquets (Nicolas Gonzalez 83'), Pedri; Antoine Griezmann, Memphis Depay (Clement Lenglet 90'), Martin Braithwaite

Real Sociedad 4-2-3-1: Alex Remiro; Joseba Zaldua (Andoni Gorosabel 66'), Artiz Elustondo (Jon Pacheco Dozagarat 81'), Robin Le Normand, Aihen Munoz; Portu (Julen Lobete 66'), Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Adnan Januzaj (Ander Barrenetxea 46'); David Silva (Jon Bautista 46'), Mikel Oyarzabal