Barcelona 2-1 Real Sociedad: 5 Talking Points

#2 Willian Jose and Juanmi impress, Oyarzabal falters

Juanmi equalised from close-range, Willian Jose had his moments but Oyarzabal struggled

In my preview, I outlined that Mikel Merino and Oyarzabal would have to perform well if Sociedad were to have much chance of earning a result in this one. Only one half of that duo did their job - talented winger Oyarzabal struggling to impose himself against a reliable Barca backline.

His match statistics speak for themselves: two shots, both off-target, three aerial duels won, one completed dribble, dispossessed three times and one foul committed over the 90 minutes.

As you can tell, he wasn't involved enough in the game - evidenced by his lowly 32 touches - and often picked the wrong option in possession, whether that was too reserved or needlessly forcing play forward when he didn't need to.

Willian Jose's performance will always be remembered for his open goal miss in the first-half. Latching onto the rebound after ter Stegen's initial save, the goal was gaping at his mercy before he fired wide over the crossbar. Who knows how the game might have transpired, had he converted from close-range on that occasion?

He created two key passes despite a poor 64.3% pass accuracy, completed three dribbles and made two clearances - though neither player was able to score from their two chances, like Juanmi eventually did.

It was a tidy close-range finish and deserved after his intelligent movement was spotted by Merino, whose threaded through ball was perfectly-weighted and caught Gerard Pique flat-footed to devastating effect. If only they had more of a clinical edge.