Barcelona suffered a surprising setback on Sunday night as they traveled to Real Sociedad, falling 2-1 at Anoeta. The defeat not only ended their 11-match winning streak across all competitions, but also significantly tightened the La Liga title race, reducing their lead at the top of the table to just a single point.
Barcelona’s Dominance Undermined by Missed Opportunities
Despite controlling large portions of the game and creating multiple scoring chances, Barcelona failed to convert their dominance into goals. Mikel Oyarzabal and Goncalo Guedes scored for the home side, leaving Barcelona empty-handed after a string of squandered opportunities.
Speaking to the media after the match, captain Frenkie de Jong acknowledged the team’s strong performance but highlighted the key issue: finishing.
“I think we deserved to win today. We created a lot of chances, but we needed to score. We played well, the only problem is that we didn’t get the result. We lacked goals, and their goalkeeper made some incredible saves,” de Jong explained.
He emphasized that the failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities was the most disappointing aspect for the squad.
“We missed so many chances. That’s what’s most frustrating,” he added.
De Jong Questions Referee Gil Manzano’s Timekeeping
Beyond the result, de Jong also criticized the officiating of Jesús Gil Manzano, particularly in the final minutes of the match. The Dutch midfielder questioned the lack of additional stoppage time despite several delays during the closing stages.
“At the end of the game, during added time, I told him to check the time. Even a goal kick took about a minute,” de Jong said.
“Normally, you would expect time to be added, but he didn’t give even ten extra seconds. I told him this, and he gave me a card.”
Frustration Over Gil Manzano’s Attitude
De Jong also expressed dissatisfaction with the referee’s attitude throughout the match, noting that communication with the official was severely limited.
“In the end, if it’s offside, it’s offside. That’s it. Nothing else. I didn’t see it, and then we were told it wasn’t offside. I even spoke to the fourth official. Last year, the exact same thing happened here,” de Jong explained.
As team captain, de Jong felt restricted in his ability to address concerns, which added to his frustration.
“What I want to say is that you can’t even speak to the referee. I’m the captain, and I don’t understand. He looked at me like ‘I’m above you.’ That’s frustrating. You can’t behave like that,” he concluded.
Implications for Barcelona
This loss serves as a wake-up call for Barcelona. While the team demonstrated tactical control and creativity, their inability to convert chances combined with controversial refereeing decisions has sparked both on-field and off-field discussions. De Jong’s public criticism of Gil Manzano underscores the pressure Barcelona now face in their bid to maintain their lead in La Liga.
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