BARCELONA MANAGER LUIS ENRIQUE’S decision to rest a collection of his star names backfired as the Catalans were beaten by David Moyes’ Real Sociedad.
Real Madrid’s 2-1 loss at Valencia earlier in the day meant victory for Barca would have seen them climb to the top of La Liga, but they passed up that chance as their recent poor record at Anoeta Stadium continued.
The men from Camp Nou have now drawn two and lost four of their last six games at the home of Sociedad in all competitions.
Defeat also ended their 11-match unbeaten run, with their last reverse having come against Celta Vigo back in early November.
Luis Enrique left Lionel Messi and Neymar on the bench for the start of this match, after both men had been given an extra two days’ break over the Christmas period and returned to the club later than the rest of the squad.
Unsurprisingly, both were introduced in a bid to conjure up an equaliser – Messi at half-time and Neymar shortly before the hour – but neither man was able to have the desired impact as David Moyes’ struggling Sociedad lifted themselves three places to 13th, five points clear of the drop zone.
Victory completed an impressive home league treble for Sociedad, who have now beaten Real, Atletico Madrid and Barca at Anoeta this season.
Barca got off to a torrid start when they fell behind in the opening exchanges.
A corner was taken short to Sergio Canales, who whipped in a left-footed cross that Alba could only head into his own net with Claudio Bravo – returning to his former club for the first time - beaten.
Delighted for Moyes.
Hehehe, Moysie did something Fergie could not
Manage in Spain ? Delighted for him,hope he did a wee jig in front of Suarez.
I think your find Fergies beat barca in the 08 semi finals and in the 91 cup winners cup final and several other times
Ahh c’mon, I know Man U have beaten them before, quite comfortably once as well, just a bit o tongue in cheek, Moysie did get so much slack, let him have his moment…. Barcelona has lost its shape….. Not the intimidating team no more, Messi or no Messi….
Spare a thought for all the lads with weekend accumulators that had to wait till 10 on Sunday night to find out Barca let them down. Ouch.
I see the team sheets, Barcelona really took this for granted….
Enrique is going to get hammered for leaving all that talent on the bench. And rightly so. He’ll be lucky to stay in the job till the end of the season.
David Moyes is a football genius.
Brother in law was just waiting on the madrid and Barca result
and with Real and Atletico losing this weekend, Enrique must be wishing he hadnt taken it for granted
Moyes was a nice lad, got dumped into a big job and had some awful players, his biggest buy buckled under the pressure and the key players didn’t help him.
Happy for Moyes, hope he does well.
I’m sorry to say it again but it’s Moyesie…
#MoyesOut
Nice one for Moyes after the Shite… he got at MU. Fergie left him in it to fry alone..
That’s BS. He’d never have even had a look-in for the United job without Fergie!
Great manager
#bringbackmoyes
Moyes back to Everton
Moyes for the Pool?!
Real at 15/2 messi on the bench was money for jam….Big teams don’t like going to San Sebastián….. Ask Real Madrid a fortress against the bigger opposition….