Barca suffers season's first defeat
Source: Agencies |
January 21, 2013, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
LEADER Barcelona suffered its first defeat in La Liga this season when Real Sociedad stormed back from two goals down and made the most of a red card for Gerard Pique to record a 3-2 home win on Saturday.
Imanol Agirretxe stunned the visitor by sliding in to grab a last-gasp winner after a double from Gonzalo Castro, who scored either side of halftime, helped cancel out early goals for the Catalans from Lionel Messi and Pedro.
A full-strength Barcelona had dominated the first half, but Pique's second yellow card in the 56th minute came when Sociedad was in the ascendancy, and the host was eventually rewarded for its endeavor in time added on.
Barcelona, which had won every league game except for a 2-2 draw at home to champion Real Madrid in October, stayed on 55 points from 20 games, 11 ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid.
Atletico was hosting Levante yesterday when Real, 18 points off the pace in third, was visiting Valencia.
"I have to congratulate Real Sociedad. Their victory is more to do with how well they played than my players not playing well," Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova said.
Sociedad, which has lost only one of its last 10 games -- a 4-3 shootout at Real this month - pressed up the pitch from the start.
But Barcelona looked set to extend its 12-game league winning run with Messi and Pedro each scoring and hitting the goal frame.
Messi struck with his first career goal at Anoeta Stadium and his league-leading 29th goal of the season through 20 matches.
Sociedad came to life in the 41st when Castro was left unmarked on the left side to receive Carlos Vela's pass and rifle the ball past goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
Imanol Agirretxe stunned the visitor by sliding in to grab a last-gasp winner after a double from Gonzalo Castro, who scored either side of halftime, helped cancel out early goals for the Catalans from Lionel Messi and Pedro.
A full-strength Barcelona had dominated the first half, but Pique's second yellow card in the 56th minute came when Sociedad was in the ascendancy, and the host was eventually rewarded for its endeavor in time added on.
Barcelona, which had won every league game except for a 2-2 draw at home to champion Real Madrid in October, stayed on 55 points from 20 games, 11 ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid.
Atletico was hosting Levante yesterday when Real, 18 points off the pace in third, was visiting Valencia.
"I have to congratulate Real Sociedad. Their victory is more to do with how well they played than my players not playing well," Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova said.
Sociedad, which has lost only one of its last 10 games -- a 4-3 shootout at Real this month - pressed up the pitch from the start.
But Barcelona looked set to extend its 12-game league winning run with Messi and Pedro each scoring and hitting the goal frame.
Messi struck with his first career goal at Anoeta Stadium and his league-leading 29th goal of the season through 20 matches.
Sociedad came to life in the 41st when Castro was left unmarked on the left side to receive Carlos Vela's pass and rifle the ball past goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
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