Five key stats from Real Sociedad 0-1 Barcelona

Barcelona returned to winning ways after a couple of setbacks against Eintracht Frankfurt and Cadiz as they defeated Real Sociedad 1-0 away from home on Thursday night.

Given that Atletico Madrid had moved ahead of them in the La Liga standings and Sevilla are hot on their trails, a victory was very much needed for Xavi Hernandez & co.

And they were made to work hard for the three points by Imanol Alguacil’s men. In the end, though, a first-half header from Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng proved to be enough for Barcelona to clinch a much-needed win and move back to the second spot.

Aubameyang’s hot streak continues

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang once again proved to be the difference-maker for Barcelona against Real Sociedad on Thursday, bundling home a header from point-blank range to score what would eventually be the match-winner.

With that strike, Aubameyang has now scored 11 goals in his last 14 matches for Barcelona, as many as he had managed in his previous 34 games across all competitions.

Struggles on the ball

Unlike usual, Barça found it difficult to retain possession against Real Sociedad, whose intensity and pressing often made life difficult for the visitors. Xavi acknowledged the same in his presser, insisting that the Catalans did not play like they want to.

Barcelona’s possession tally of 44.3% against Sociedad on Thursday was their second-lowest in a single La Liga game since 2005/06 campaign. They averaged a lower possession percentage during this period against Real Betis (44) in 2019.

Ter Stegen to the rescue

With the outfield players having problems in the second half, Barcelona needed their goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to step up, which he did.

The German showed good command in his box and produced a vital late save to deny Alexander Sorloth in the second half to preserve his clean sheet and help his team get over the line.

It was ter Stegen’s 128th clean sheet for Barça with which he has overtaken Sadurni and become the goalkeeper with the third-highest shutouts for the club. Only Victor Valdes (183) and Andoni Zubizarreta (173) have more.

Unbeaten run at Anoeta goes on

With the win against Real Sociedad on Thursday away from home, Barcelona have now gone seven games in a row without losing at the Anoeta for the first time ever.

A historically intimidating venue, Barça have had struggles getting over the line at San Sebastian in the past. But the Catalans have not lost at the Anoeta in seven matches now, with the run dating back to January 2017.

The victory also means that Barcelona are now on a 13-game unbeaten streak away from home. At the same time, the Blaugrana have won all of the games under Xavi Hernandez when they have gone into half-time with a lead.