Barcelona has made an important step towards the Copa del Rey final. The Catalans have won against Real Sociedad in the first leg of the semifinals, but had no easy life with the Basques at Camp Nou, Griezmann missing the first important chance of the game.
Barcelona then almost scored. After the shot from Fabregas, Alexis did not find the back of the net. There followed two Messi’s failures in the same phase. The Argentinian footballer did not find the goal from free kick goal, the ball hit the crossbar.
At the end of the first half, there were three key moments. Vela missed after being fouled by Mascherano and Basques requested penalty and elimination. The game continued and Busquets opened the scoring. Inigo Martinez protested and was send off.
In ten men, Real Sociedad has once yielded after 60 minutes after an incredible phase. Alexis sent in bar and Elustondo has evolved in Zubikarai. Even with an own goal in mind, the Basque goalkeeper was man of the match. He again rejected a shot sent by Messi.
Barcelona – Real Sociedad finished 2-0 and the return is Wednesday, February 12th, at 20:00 CET. With an advantage of two goals and clean sheets at home, the Catalans are favorites to qualify for the Copa del Rey final, where they will play against Real Madrid or Atletico. Los Blancos had won the first match against Diego Simeone’s team, 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu, and are favorites for the cup final.
Teams:
Barcelona: Pinto – Dani Alves, Pique, Mascherano, J. Alba –Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas (86 Tello) – Sanchez (74 Iniesta), Messi, Pedro. Coach: Gerardo Martino
Real Sociedad: Zubikarai – Zaldua, Mikel Gonzales (20 CarlosMartinez), Ansotegi, InigoMartinez, Jose Angel – Elustondo, Gaztanaga, Zurutuza – Griezmann (83 Seferovic), Vela (73 Canales). Coach: Jagoba Arrasate