GreenBkk.com Barça | R.Sociedad - FC Barcelona

R.Sociedad - FC Barcelona

Saturday, 30 Apr

Competition: League | Stadium: Anoet

Preview

The most important title

Jordi Clos

Barça visit Real Sociedad (20.00 kick off) in what could prove a vital weekend in their challenge to regain the league title. Guardiola’s team will also match a long lasting record of the most games unbeaten in the league if they avoid defeat.

All the excitement of the clashes with Real Madrid have to be put to one side ahead of next week’s Champions League semi final second leg, as Barça turn their attention to what the boss considers the most important title -the league - with the chance to take a giant step towards renewing their title at Anoeta tonight. Guardiola ’s team need seven points from their remaining five games, though when the side run out in San Sebastian, they will already know the result from Madrid where Real play Zaragoza. Tonight could be a defining moment in the run in to the season.

Unbeaten run

As well as the importance of the three points at stake, Barça can also equal one of the longest standing records in the game and match Real Sociedad’s own record for the longest unbeaten run in the league. The Basques went 32 games without defeat in the 1979/80 season and this year Barça have not lost since going down to Hercules in week 2 of the competition, taking 85 of the 93 points available so far this season.

Deulofeu gets first call up

For the Club’s return to San Sebastian after a four year gap, Guardiola has called up 19 players for the trip, including Youth team player Gerard Deulofeu, as well as B team youngsters Montoya, Thiago and Sergi Roberto, with Iniesta (calf) and Puyol(rested) left behind with the injured Abidal, Bojan, Adriano and Maxwell.

Real in trouble

Real Sociedad find themselves in a difficult position as the campaign draws to a close, having been sucked back into the relegation fight in recent weeks after a poor second half to the season and are just 3 points above the drop zone, with a tough looking run in including trips to Valencia and Seville. Boss Martín Lasarte will be without striker Llorente and full back De la Bella for the game.

Credit: FC Barcelona (www.fcbarcelona.com)