Hansi Flick's men went into San Sebastián with a target on their backs. If you've been following the whirlwind that is La Liga this month, you know exactly why. After the high of lifting the Supercopa trophy in Saudi Arabia just a week ago, people were asking: who won the barcelona game today?
Well, it was a battle. A grind. The kind of game that defines whether a team actually has the legs to go the distance or if they're just riding a temporary wave of momentum. Coming off a 2-0 win over Racing Santander in the Copa del Rey just three days ago, the fatigue was visible.
What happened at the Reale Arena?
Barcelona faced a Real Sociedad side that is fundamentally different under Matarazzo. They’re disciplined. They’re annoying to play against. Honestly, the first half felt like watching a chess match where both players were terrified of making the first move. Flick stuck with his guns, but the absence of Raphinha in the starting lineup—due to that lingering knock—was a massive blow to the creative flow.
The match ended in a hard-fought encounter where the tactical setup of the home side nearly nullified the league leaders. While Barca controlled 64% of the possession, turning that into clear-cut chances was a nightmare. Robert Lewandowski was isolated for long stretches. It’s funny how a team can score five against Athletic Club one week and then struggle to find a seam in the defense the next.
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The fallout from the Supercopa high
Winning the Supercopa de España 3-2 against Real Madrid on January 11th was supposed to be the catalyst for a dominant January. And in many ways, it has been. But the human element of football is real. You can't fly to Jeddah, play two high-intensity matches, fly back to Spain, travel to Santander for a cup tie, and then expect to blow the doors off Real Sociedad in their own backyard.
Real Madrid actually put the pressure on earlier this weekend. They beat Levante 2-0. Kylian Mbappé finally looked like he was having fun again, scoring his 19th of the campaign. That result cut the gap at the top to just one point before Barca even stepped onto the pitch today.
- Current League Standing: Barcelona remains top, but the cushion is paper-thin.
- The Raphinha Factor: His fitness is now the primary concern for the medical staff.
- Rotation Woes: Flick’s decision to rest Pedri for the first 60 minutes was a gamble that almost didn't pay off.
Why this result matters for the title race
If you're wondering about the significance of who won the barcelona game today, look at the calendar. We are entering the "clutter" phase of the season. The Champions League returns in just a few days with a trip to Prague to face Slavia.
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Managing the squad isn't just a suggestion anymore; it’s a survival tactic. Joan García, the man between the sticks, had to make three crucial saves today to keep things from spiraling. He's been a revelation since returning from injury, basically cementing his spot over the veteran options.
The fans in the away section were loud, but you could sense the tension. Every time Real Sociedad broke on the counter through Oyarzabal, the collective breath of the traveling Culés was held. It wasn't pretty football. It was survival football.
The Lewandowski and Torres dynamic
Flick mentioned in his pre-match presser that he values the "players who finish matches" as much as those who start them. We saw that today. Ferran Torres put in the work, but he doesn't occupy defenders the way Lewandowski does. When Robert is on the pitch, the gravity he creates opens up space for Lamine Yamal. Without that synergy, Yamal often found himself double-teamed on the wing, forced to play backward passes rather than taking his man on.
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It’s easy to look at the scoreline and feel underwhelmed. But league titles are won in these cold, damp January fixtures. They aren't always won with 4-0 thrashes at the Camp Nou. Sometimes, they're won by refusing to lose when your legs feel like lead weights.
Moving forward to the Champions League
The focus now shifts immediately to Europe. Slavia Prague awaits on Wednesday. That’s the thing about being at a club like Barcelona; there is no time to celebrate or mourn. You get on the plane, you eat your pasta, you watch the film, and you go again.
The medical team will be working overtime on Raphinha’s recovery. They need his verticality. Without him, the team looks a bit too much like the "circular" Barca of two years ago—lots of passes, not enough penetration.
If you're tracking the title race, keep an eye on Real Madrid’s internal drama too. Even though they won this weekend, the fans at the Bernabéu were whistling their own players. The pressure is mounting on everyone.
Next Steps for the Blaugrana:
- Assess Raphinha's availability: He needs to be at least 80% to travel to Prague.
- Midfield Refresh: Frenkie de Jong needs a full 90 minutes to get his rhythm back after the red card in the Supercopa.
- Defensive Drills: The high line was caught out twice today; Flick needs to tighten the coordination between Araujo and Martinez.
- Recovery focus: The squad has less than 72 hours before the next kickoff.