Last Barca squad to win at Anoeta in 2007, but see Lucho's encouraging quote below ANOETA San Sebastián 9:15 AM ET 12:15 PM PT Just saw that VEB cannot post this so here's what I posted earlier today in the season thread. No La Real thread for tomorrow's game so I will post this here for now: Rafinha injured in training and cannot play, MAtS, Mathieu, and Vidal all rested/rotated. Bit of a shame to see Vidal back there again, and Mathieu also struggling to get any PT but we can only bring 18. Full Barca squad against Real Sociedad: Cillessen, Masip, Piqué, Rakitic, Busquets, Denis Suárez, Arda, Iniesta, Suárez, Messi, Neymar, Mascherano, Paco Alcácer, Jordi Alba, Digne, S. Roberto, André Gomes and Umtiti Luis Enrique: "Snubbing Aleix out of matchday vs La Real? I can only call up 18 players and some have to stay..." "I'm thinking the same (as I said the other day) about Aleix & the rest. Job of a coach's to take decisions & thats what I do""In San Sebastian I've been through everything, but I prefer not to comment on the past and focus on the football element, but what's clear is that the day we win at San Sebastian is getting closer. Maybe 20 years will go by, but it's getting closer that's for sure." Probable lineup: Jasper Roberto-Pique-Mascherano-Alba Rakitic-Busi-Iniesta Messi-Suarez-Neymar Could see surprise starts for Digne, Denis, Big Sam, Paco, or Gomes but I think we'll field this pretty grand squad and try to take control of this in a very difficult place where we never win. Prediction - 1-2 for the good guys!
In Copa del Rey, 3 bookings = one match suspension. Umtiti is the only Barca player carrying two yellow cards.
Sport mostly in agreement for lineup but rotates Alba for Digne: temperature supposed to be around 0 C or 32 F hence "ice cup" Copa Glace having fun with Lucho's quote re each day gets closer to winning at Anoeta, this one talks about "going to break the curse", A Romper la Maldicion
Official: Barca line-up vs Real Sociedad: Cillessen, S.Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Digne, Iniesta, Busquets, Rakitic, Messi, Suarez, Neymar. On bench: Masip, Denis Suárez, Arda Turan, Mascherano, Paco Alcácer, Jordi Alba and André Gomes So mostly as predicted save for the left side of the defense featuring both the new Frenchmen, Big Sam and Digne. I have a good feeling still about ending our streak of 8 losses at Anoeta but it won't be easy. Would love to see Neymar score and a goal from the midfield, but will happily settle for another Leo and Luis tandem brace as well.
Major errors by Big Sam, first dribbling and losing the ball practically beneath him, then a pass to no one.
Ney drew it and Ney takes it and Ney MAKES IT, and while I hate that slow run up of Neymar's it sure worked this time, and has a nice wink of thanks for Messi as they hug. Barca have not missed a PK yet this season if memory serves.
Damn, too bad Digne's cross was way over Suarez. Before that I really liked that our forwards are really helping out on D.
Messi is agitated and will most likely see red by end of the game, wth just chill. He's acting like a ********ing idiot, doesn't he know ref is looking for a reason to send him off? Idiot! Act your age and role. Who cares if he's not carding Real players? Barca is 1-0 up. Chill.
Gomes on for Iniesta, hope to goodness Don Andres is not injured, but if not injured why sub so early? If we bring on Denis and Paco we will have all our summer 2016 signees on at once.
Oh Neymar, no shots off in 3 good set ups (1 in first half, 2 just now) twice he tried to pass when he might've shot, another time he just poorly controlled and goalie got it. EDIT - at least he got a shot off that time, pretty wide of goal but still.