Real Sociedad 0-1 Barcelona: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang heads winner

Real Sociedad have not beaten Barcelona in the past 15 attempts in all competitions

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s ninth goal in 11 La Liga appearances helped earn Barcelona a win at Real Sociedad that lifted them to second in the table.

The ex-Arsenal forward scored with a close-range header after a cross by ex-Manchester City player Ferran Torres.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved well from Alexander Sorloth while Alexander Isak fired another chance wide.

Shortly before Aubameyang’s goal, Ousmane Dembele’s shot came back off the post.

Barca were made to work hard for the points with Sorloth missing a further two chances as Real Sociedad piled on the pressure after half-time.

The game was briefly stopped early in the second half after an object was thrown onto the pitch.

Aubameyang, 32, joined Barca on a free transfer in February after not playing for Arsenal following a disciplinary breach in December. Only Memphis Depay has scored more goals in La Liga for Barca this season.

Barca’s win lifts them into second spot on 63 points – 15 behind runaway leaders Real Madrid.

Real Sociedad remain sixth in the table – six points off a Champions League spot with five games left.

Real Madrid need four points from their last five games to secure a 35th La Liga title.

Line-ups

Real Sociedad

Formation 4-1-3-2

1Remiro Gargallo

2Zaldua5Zubeldia24Le Normand15Rico

3Zubimendi

8Merino17Rafinha11Januzaj

19Isak23Sørloth

• 1Remiro Gargallo
• 2ZalduaSubstituted forGorosabelat 81′minutes
• 5Zubeldia
• 24Le NormandBooked at 90mins
• 15Rico
• 3ZubimendiSubstituted forGuevaraat 90+2′minutes
• 8Merino
• 17RafinhaSubstituted forGuridiat 81′minutes
• 11JanuzajSubstituted forMartínat 87′minutes
• 19IsakSubstituted forPortugués Manzaneraat 87′minutes
• 23Sørloth

Substitutes

• 4Illarramendi
• 6Elustondo
• 7Portugués Manzanera
• 12Muñoz
• 13Ryan
• 14Guridi
• 16Guevara
• 18Gorosabel
• 26Pacheco
• 34Ayesa
• 37Djouahra
• 47Martín

Barcelona

Formation 4-3-3

1ter Stegen

8Alves da Silva4Araújo3Piqué18Alba

30Páez5Busquets21de Jong

7Dembélé25Aubameyang19Torres

• 1ter Stegen
• 8Alves da SilvaSubstituted forDestat 66′minutes
• 4AraújoBooked at 33minsSubstituted forGarcíaat 55′minutes
• 3PiquéSubstituted forLengletat 82′minutes
• 18Alba
• 30PáezBooked at 85mins
• 5Busquets
• 21de Jong
• 7Dembélé
• 25AubameyangSubstituted forde Jongat 82′minutes
• 19Torres

Substitutes

• 2Dest
• 6Puig Martí
• 9Depay
• 11Traoré
• 12Braithwaite
• 13Murara Neto
• 14González Iglesias
• 15Lenglet
• 17de Jong
• 22Mingueza
• 24García
• 27Carevic

Referee:Carlos del Cerro Grande

Attendance:35,128

Live Text

1. Match ends, Real Sociedad 0, Barcelona 1.

2. Second Half ends, Real Sociedad 0, Barcelona 1.

3. Foul by Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad).

4. Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

5. Foul by Jon Guridi (Real Sociedad).

6. Sergio Busquets (Barcelona) wins a free kick on the right wing.

7. Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Robin Le Normand.

8. Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

9. Foul by Luuk de Jong (Barcelona).

10. Substitution, Real Sociedad. Ander Guevara replaces Martín Zubimendi.

11. Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

12. Foul by Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad).

13. Luuk de Jong (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

14. Offside, Barcelona. Jordi Alba tries a through ball, but Luuk de Jong is caught offside.

15. Foul by Ander Martín (Real Sociedad).

16. Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

17. Attempt saved. Ander Martín (Real Sociedad) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Mikel Merino.

18. Substitution, Real Sociedad. Ander Martín replaces Adnan Januzaj.

19. Substitution, Real Sociedad. Portu replaces Alexander Isak.

20. Gavi (Barcelona) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.