Real Sociedad a difficult opponent for Barcelona
Barcelona and Real Sociedad meet on Thursday night at the Anoeta in the quarter final first leg of the Copa del Rey.
The home side are enjoying a very creditable campaign so far and currently sit fifth in La Liga, just six points of Barcelona who have experienced some difficult results of late in the Spanish top-flight.
The home side have made the Anoeta a fortress against their Catalan opponents in recent years. In fact, Barcelona have not won at Real Sociedad in their last eight visits in all competitions, with their last away win at the Anoeta coming way back in the 2006/07 season.
Even Barcelona’s all-conquering Pep Guardiola team failed to win at the famous old ground. It seems that Barcelona have been more fearful of the Anoeta than the Bernabeu in recent years. Real Sociedad’s good campaign will not make the task of winning any easier for the Catalan visitors.
Barcelona’s form has improved slightly of late and Luis Enrique’s side have lost just one of their last 14 games in all competitions. They head into this game having recorded back-to-back wins over Athletic Bilbao and Las Palmas.
Crucial for Enrique’s side, the likes of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi both got on the scoresheet in those recent victories. The South American pair’s form will be crucial in deciding how the rest of their team’s campaign goes.
Real Sociedad head into this game on the back of a 2-0 win at Malaga in La Liga. The team from San Sebastien look like they could be realistic challengers for a top four spot under Eusebio Sacristan. La Real have suffered just one defeat in their last seven outings, which came against high-flying Sevilla.
They certainly will not be easy opponents for the visitors from Catalonia. A Barcelona victory would end one of the longest-running hoodoos in the Spanish game and set them up for a more comfortable second leg at the Nou Camp.
Home
Football 
Basketball
Hockey
American Football
Baseball
Rugby
Volleyball
Handball
Esoccer
