Reuters
Barcelona suffered a shock 1-0 LaLiga defeat at Real Sociedad on Sunday that ended their seven-match winning steak in all competitions as Sheraldo Becker scored for the Basque side in the first half.
Leaders Barcelona got their first taste of defeat in over a month and only their second in their domestic season after they were dominated throughout the match by the home side who wasted several chances.
Barça coach Hansi Flick was forced to hold star winger Lamine Yamal out of the starting lineup due to an ankle contusion he suffered during the team’s 5-2 Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday.
Becker’s strike in the 33rd minute was enough to secure Real Sociedad the win as he beat the offside trap to race on to a Luka Sucic header before slotting a tidy finish just inside the post.
Barcelona still lead the standings on 33 points, six ahead Real Madrid who have a game in hand in second place, while Atletico Madrid are third on 26 points. Real Sociedad are eighth on 18 points.