Barcelona 2-1 Real Sociedad: Tello nets first league goal and Messi is also on target but champions are unconvincing in victory

Guardiola's much-changed team secured a vital win against the Basque side despite missing a host of chances in the first half.

Barcelona ran out 2-1 winners in their La Liga clash against Real Sociedad at Camp Nou on Saturday evening, despite the away side's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo making a number of fine saves.

Goals from Cristian Tello and Lionel Messi had given the home side a 2-0 lead in the second half, but a well-taken goal from Carlos Vela in the latter stages of the game meant Pep Guardiola's side endured a tense finish as Sociedad threw men forward in search of a draw.

Both sides missed opportunities in the opening exchanges, with first Bravo and then Victor Valdes being forced into making smart saves to keep out efforts from Lionel Messi and Diego Ifran respectively.

Tello broke the deadlock after nine minutes with a cool finish under Bravo after Messi had made amends for his earlier miss by playing a wonderfully weighted ball through to his younger team-mate.

The Sociedad keeper was again on hand to thwart Messi just minutes after Tello's opener when he saved well from the Argentine after he had raced on to a neat Cesc Fabregas pass.

A combination of profligate finishing and good goalkeeping kept the score at just 1-0 in the first half.

Early in the second period another good save from Valdes stopped Antoine Griezmann from making the scores level after the Frenchman burst past Javier Mascherano.

The match became more competitive in the second period as Sociedad's midfielder began to get on the ball more and create some goalscoring opportunities.

However Barcelona nearly went further ahead when Isaac Cuenca shot against the bar with an effort that Tello followed up on and struck an effort towards goal that would have made it 2-0 if Dani Alves had not got a touch from an offside position.

After missing a series of chances in the opening 70 minutes Messi eventually gave Barcelona a two-goal cushion with a well-taken half volley after a fine pass from Dani Alves.

However, Sociedad substitute Vela set up an exciting finale when he reduced the deficit just minutes later, slotting confidently under Valdes and into the back of the net after being found by a decent pass from Griezmann.

The home side withstood a series of late attacks from Sociedad to hold out for their win, but the joy at the three points will have been tarnished slightly by a potentially serious injury sustained by Sergio Busquets late on in the game.

Barcelona's win cuts Real Madrid's lead at the top of La Liga back to seven points while Guardiola's choice of resting the likes of Alexis, Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique ensures his key players will be fresh ahead of their important Copa del Rey tie against Valencia on Wednesday. Sociedad remain in 13th place in La Liga following this defeat.

By : Vamos El Barça Groups Facebook

Valencia 1-1 Barcelona: Messi misses second-half penalty as absorbing Copa del Rey tie remains well-poised ahead of second leg

Diego Alves' penalty save from the Argentine denies Catalans from taking a lead back to Camp Nou but Pep Guardiola will still be confident of overcoming Los Che in the return leg


Carles Puyol secured a 1-1 draw for Barcelona in their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Valencia, with the away goal putting the Catalan side in pole position to reach a third final in four years, although victory could have been theirs had Lionel Messi not missed a penalty in the second half.

The hosts deservedly led through Jonas' emphatic finish midway through the first period, only for Puyol to level the match before the break with his downward header.

A subdued opening found life when Messi embarked on a typically dangerous run, drawing a free kick, but the Argentine's effort lacked sufficient curl as it went a yard off target.

With Los Che beginning to dominate proceedings, the Mestalla were left infuriated when Jose Pinto prevented Roberto Soldado from putting Unai Emery's side ahead when he clearly handled outside the area. The officials were disinterested in Valencia's claim as play continued. much to the amazement of the Spain striker.

Valencia continued their high intensity and were soon rewarded when they dispossessed Barcelona deep in their territory. They worked the ball out to Jeremy Mathieu whose cutback was expertly converted by Jonas for the lead.

Suddenly, Barca found a rhythm. Isaac Cuenca's sublime foot work was followed by an intricate ball into the feet of Alexis. The Chilean managed to dig out a shot only to be denied by a brilliant save from the onrushing Diego Alves.

From the resulting corner, the Blaugrana opted for a customary cross which brought dividends when an unmarked Puyol brought the scores level with a committed header.

Messi began the second half brightly, and had a wonderful chance to fire Barcelona ahead after Thiago had been felled in the penalty area by Miguel's flailing leg. The Argentine's fragmented run-up did nothing to deter Diego Alves, who pushed his poor spot kick away to safety after springing low to his left.

Barca continued to provided attacking intent but Diego Alves continued his heroics when he palmed Eric Abidal's audacious effort around the post. The Brazilian stopper was then fortunate to see Gerard Pique's header from the resultant corner miss the target.

Pep Guardiola introduced Dani Alves in search of a winning goal and the Brazilian came close to providing it when he combined with Messi. The South American duo played a delicate one-two, with Alves hammering the return pass against the upright before Valencia desperately cleared.

As the match drew to a close neither side lamented any late misses as each began to prepare mentally for the return leg. Guardiola's side will be confident of securing a third Copa del Rey final in four years following Puyol's priceless away goal, although Los Che will still believe that they can progress.


By : Vamos El Barça Groups Facebook