The Blaugrana fell to a 2-1 defeat at Camp Nou as their fans turned out to welcome the new La Liga champions back home
A disappointing 90 minutes soured a day of celebration for Barcelona, as the newly-crowned La Liga champions turned in a miserable showing on the day they were due to lift the league trophy. And they were punished for their poor performance, as fourth-placed Real Sociedad cruised to a 2-1 win at Camp Nou.
La Real played spoiler early on, with Mikel Merino scoring after a Jules Kounde blunder in a rare start at centre-back for the France international. The visitors could have made it two after 30 minutes, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen denied a close range effort to keep the Blaugrana in it.
Barcelona enjoyed more of the ball in the second half, but looked much like a team that knew a trophy lift was on its way. Raphinha was ineffective on one wing, while the returning Ousmane Dembele looked tired on the other.
Manager Xavi made a series of attacking changes, but found his side exposed at the back. And La Real took advantage, with Barcelona-linked Martin Zubimendi finding Alexander Sorloth in acres of space for an easy finish. A late Robert Lewandowski header gave the Blaugrana life, but an equaliser never came.
GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Camp Nou…
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Goalkeeper & Defence
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6/10):
Conceded for just the third time at Camp Nou this season inside 10 minutes. Made a point-blank save to prevent it from being two after 30. Could do nothing about the second goal.
Alejandro Balde (6/10):
A puzzling start at right-back. Cut onto his left at every opportunity. Needs to play on the other side.
Jules Kounde (3/10):
Insists he is a centre-back and was handed a start at the position. Gave the ball away in the build up to La Real's opener. Subbed at half-time after a poor 45 minutes.
Andreas Christensen (6/10):
Solid all round, still reliable without his usual centre-back partner Araujo.
Jordi Alba (5/10):
A good defensive effort, but failed to offer his usual quality in the attacking third.
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Midfield
Sergio Busquets (6/10):
Did well in his penultimate Camp Nou appearance. Barcelona's stalling attack wasn't his fault. Got a standing ovation after being subbed with 10 minutes remaining.
Frenkie de Jong (6/10):
Lost the ball in the run-up to La Real's second, a blip that marred an otherwise classy performance.
Franck Kessie (5/10):
Linked with a move away in recent weeks. Came up with an unspectacular hour.
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Attack
Raphinha (4/10):
Tried on both wings. Good on the ball, poor once he had to do anything impactful with it. Substituted on the hour after yet another disappointing showing.
Robert Lewandowski (6/10):
Scored a lovely header after spending 88 minutes struggling with a solid La Real back four.
Ousmane Dembele (5/10):
Moved to the left in a possible vision of the future. Completed eight dribbles in the first half alone. Final product was nowhere to be found, though. He will get better.
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Subs & Manager
Marcos Alonso (4/10):
Half time sub to play left centre-back. Lost position altogether on the visitors' second.
Ansu Fati (5/10):
Given 30 minutes to turn a 1-0 scoreline around. Had some nice touches, but is still off the pace
Ferran Torres (3/10):
Was puzzling signing when he was bought, even more confusing now.
Eric Garcia (N/A):
Brought on as a No.6, to varying degrees of success.
Pablo Torre (N/A):
A rare and surprisingly energetic showing.
Xavi (3/10):
A puzzling team selection with Pedri, Ronald Araujo and Gavi out. A couple of his choices, including moving Kounde to centre-back, didn't work out. Barcelona conceded early in the first half and midway through the second, and lacked creativity in the final third — late Lewandowski goal notwithstanding. One to forget.
