Barcelona began life without Lionel Messi by defeating Real Sociedad 4-2 in their opening game of the LaLiga season.
As Memphis Depay went some way to repaying Gerard Pique. Barca could only register Depay, Eric Garcia, and Rey Manaj on the night of Sunday’s game at Camp Nou because Pique took a significant pay cut to ensure the cash-strapped Catalan club reached LaLiga’s wage cap restriction.
After cries of ‘Messi’ resonated around the stadium in the 10th minute of the Blaugrana’s first game since his sensational move to Paris Saint-Germain, Depay set up Pique for the first goal.
Martin Braithwaite scored towards the end of the first half and added a second after the break, setting up an improbably tight finish with late goals from Julen Lobete and Mikel Oyarzabal.
Barca was untiring and Pedri forced a fine reflex, except from the busy Remiro, before Lobete pulled a left-foot goal back. Eight minutes from the time and a sublime free-kick in Oyarzabal’s house. However, Sergi Roberto screened the dots from the right and tucked the excellent Cross of Braithwaite home.
Key Facts
– Gerard Pique scored his 50th goal for Barcelona in all competitions (22 headers) (22 headers).
– Antoine Griezmann made his 100th appearance for Barcelona in all competitions, in which he has scored 35 goals and has provided 16 assists.
– Barcelona’s Martin Braithwaite ended his longest run without scoring in LaLiga (18 games in row) (18 games in row).
– Barcelona have scored at least three goals in 10 of their previous 13 opening games in a LaLiga season.
