Lamine Yamal marked his return from injury with an assist as Barcelona came from behind to beat Real Sociedad 2–1 on Sunday, moving top of La Liga by a point.
After Real Madrid’s 5–2 thrashing by Atletico Madrid on Saturday, Hansi Flick’s side seized the chance to leapfrog Xabi Alonso’s Bayer-led Madrid at the summit.
Alvaro Odriozola put Sociedad ahead against the run of play in the first half, but Jules Koundé equalised before substitute Yamal set up Robert Lewandowski’s late winner.
“I’m very happy for Lamine,” Koundé told Movistar. “We’re going to need him. It’s great to have him back.”
With Camp Nou still closed after the city council denied a reopening permit, Barcelona once again hosted the match at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium.
Flick handed 17-year-old midfielder Dro Fernandez a debut and started Roony Bardghji on the right wing, while veteran goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny replaced the injured Joan Garcia.
Barça dominated early possession but found Real Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro in superb form. He denied Marcus Rashford from close range and then tipped Bardghji’s low strike wide.
But it was Sociedad who struck first. In the 31st minute, Ander Barrenetxea broke free down the left and crossed for Odriozola, who arrived unmarked to head home.
Barcelona responded with renewed urgency, and their pressure paid off shortly before half-time. A well-worked corner routine saw Rashford deliver to the near post, where Koundé rose high to power in a header.
Yamal sparks the winner
Yamal, returning after a four-game absence due to a groin injury, replaced Bardghji just before the hour — and made an immediate impact.
Barely a minute after coming on, the 18-year-old burst into the box and delivered a pinpoint cross that Lewandowski met with a firm header off the post to put Barça ahead.
Recently voted the Ballon d’Or runner-up, Yamal’s return injected fresh energy into a tense second half.
Szczęsny had to stay alert to deny Mikel Oyarzabal, while Remiro again frustrated Rashford and Dani Olmo at the other end. The match turned chaotic late on, with both sides hitting the crossbar.
Takefusa Kubo rattled the woodwork for Sociedad after dispossessing a casual Koundé in midfield, before Lewandowski smashed his shot off the bar following a swift Barça break.
“It was a difficult game,” said Koundé. “I didn’t like our last 25 minutes — we suffered too much. The first 70 were good, we could have scored more than two.”
Barcelona now lead La Liga by a point ahead of a crucial Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, also at the Olympic Stadium.
Despite the loss, Real Sociedad — who sit 17th — showed signs of progress and resilience.
“Despite the defeat, I’m proud of the team’s work,” said Odriozola. “It’s been a tough start, but we showed up today.”
AFP
