Why did Barcelona lose to Real Sociedad?

Barcelona lost to Real Sociedad despite a strong performance due to controversial refereeing decisions, disallowed goals, and failing to convert numerous chances.

Who is Marc-Andre ter Stegen possibly joining?

Marc-Andre ter Stegen is reportedly nearing a loan move to Girona, with Barcelona facilitating the deal by covering a significant portion of his wages.

What was the controversial disallowed goal for Barcelona?

Lamine Yamal's 26th-minute goal was disallowed due to a marginal offside call detected by the semi-automated offside system.

Home / Sports / Barca's Season in Balance After Shock Defeat

Barca's Season in Balance After Shock Defeat

19 Jan

•

Summary

Barcelona suffered a surprising loss to Real Sociedad, impacting their league lead.
Controversial refereeing decisions and disallowed goals fueled Barca's frustration.
Multiple Barcelona players may leave on loan or permanently, including Ter Stegen.

Barcelona suffered a surprising defeat to Real Sociedad, ending a long unbeaten streak and injecting uncertainty into the La Liga title race. Despite arguably one of their best performances, the team saw multiple goals disallowed, including a crucial Lamine Yamal effort flagged for a marginal offside. This controversial decision, reminiscent of a similar incident last season, left players and manager Hansi Flick frustrated with the officiating.

Manager Hansi Flick and captain Frenkie de Jong openly criticized referee Jesus Gil Manzano for his demeanor and decisions during the match. The loss allowed second-placed Real Madrid to close the gap to a single point, intensifying the competition at the top of the league. The team also faces the potential departures of several key players, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen being heavily linked with a loan move to Girona.

Further transfer news indicates that young prospect Pedro Fernandez, also known as Dro, has expressed his desire to leave the club this month, with Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea reportedly interested. These potential exits, coupled with Barcelona's upcoming crucial Champions League match against Slavia Prague, highlight a period of significant transition for the club.