Barcelona’s season began on a positive note as they did the needful they can to secure the desired result at home.
The Nou Camp hopefuls were expecting to see how their side would fare in the La Liga opener and their team gave them a good outing at the end of the game at least.
The Catalans were able to seal a 4-2 home win despite the absence of their legendary superstar of Argentina origin in Lionel Messi who moved to join PSG after a contract breakdown with the club.
However, with Barcelona's 4-2 triumph at home over Real Sociedad, we take a look at some match statistics from the game.
Full statistics
Shots on target
8(Barcelona) (Real Sociedad) 3
The frenetic contest between both La Liga opponents ensured that 8+3 – 11 shots on target was recorded in the match.
Barcelona’s classy dominance in transition saw they pull off 8 shots on target while the visiting Real Sociedad side managed only 3 shots on this stance. That's why Barcelona was deserved winners in this contest.
Shots Off Target
4(Barcelona) (Real Sociedad) 4
Both teams were culprits of waste opportunity in the tie as 8 shots off target was produced on account of the two sides.
Barcelona had 4 shots off target despite their brilliance in the final third. However, it was the visitors that paid the price for their attacking prolificacy as they squandered the chances (attempts) to get themselves back on level terms in the contest.
Blocked Shots
0(Barcelona) (Real Sociedad)2
On the shot blocked the visitors that got the upper hand with Barcelona not managing any in the entire match.
It could be due to Barcelona's system and team scheme which is centred on keeping possession rather than defending. Sociedad on their own recorded all the 2 block shots entirely.
Possession
61(Barcelona) (Real Sociedad) 39
The possession ratio somehow indicates the flow of the game with respect to both teams midfield coordination.
Barcelona’s midfield dominance was crystal clear for all to see as they controlled the majority of the contest.
They won the battle in the central area (midfield) thus leaving the visitors with only 39% of the ball. While they amassed 61% of the ball as proof of their class in midfield.
Corner-kicks
5(Barcelona) (Real Sociedad)3
The match produced 5+3-8 corner-kicks in total as both teams made their attacking adventure in the game.
In the end, it was the Catalan side that produced more corner-kicks with 5 to their name. But Sociedad managed only 3 corners of their own in the entire game.
Offside
1(Barcelona) (Real Sociedad)2
The match between both teams produced three offsides as was evident from the numbers above.
Barcelona had 1 offside, while the visiting side ventured into 2 Offsides in the match.
It showed how calculated Ronald Koeman’s men went about their (goal) business in this season-opening match.
Fouls
11(Barcelona) (Real Sociedad)18
The fouls statistics had shown the physical nature of the match as both teams did not hesitate to go for the 50-50 duels against each other.
While they competed in the match, Barcelona committed 11 fouls as compared to the much-increased number Real Sociedad had in the match.
The visitors gave their all to get the ball from their dominant host as it led to them committing 18 fouls in all.
Yellow Cards
2(Barcelona) (Real Sociedad) 4
The match ended with 2+4-6 yellow cards overall. Barcelona had 2 yellows while the visitors got booked on four occasions.
Barcelona’s duo of Sergio Busquets and Nico Gonzalez was booked in 57th and 84th minutes respectively.
Real Sociedad's quartet of Martin Zubimendi, Aritz Elustondo, Aihen Munoz, Robin Le Nommand got booked in the 37th, 61st, 62nd and 78th minutes respectively.
Goalkeeping Saves
1(Barcelona) (Real Sociedad)4
The intensity of the match ensured that both goalkeepers were forced into certain saves as the ease may be.
It was the visitors' goalkeeper Alex Remiro that did a great job compared with his Barcelona counterpart Neto.
He made 4 saves in the duel against a solitary save from Barcelona number 1(Neto).
Goal kick
7(Barcelona) (Real Sociedad)3
In the Barcelona and Real Sociedad contest, we witnessed 7+3 –10 goal-kicks as both sides pilled pressure against each other.
Barcelona’s attacking resilience saw them produced 7 goal-kicks as the trio of Antoine Greizmann, Memphis Depay and Martin Braithwaite led the line in aplomb.
Real Sociedad has 3 Goal-kicks in the entire match as well.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago
