Barca breaks its bad habit
Catalans snap 10-year winless run at Sociedad
Barcelona ended a decadelong winless drought at Real Sociedad on Thursday as Neymar’s first-half penalty handed the reigning champion a 1-0 Spanish King’s Cup quarterfinal, first-leg lead.
Atletico Madrid also took a huge step towards the semifinals as goals from Antoine Griezmann, Angel Correa and Kevin Gameiro downed an under-strength Eibar 3-0 at Vicente Calderon Stadium.
Barca hadn’t won in its last eight visits to Anoeta with coach Luis Enrique describing a 1-1 draw in November as “almost a miracle” considering his team’s lackluster showing that day.
However, the Catalans continued to show signs of improvement in a bright start that was rewarded when Neymar was upended by Aritz Elustondo in the 20th minute.
Just like in the previous round, Lionel Messi handed spot-kick responsibilities to Neymar, who sent Sociedad goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli the wrong way.
“It is always difficult to play at Anoeta and against Real Sociedad, but I think it was a complete performance,” Enrique told GolTV.
“We were very solid in defense and efficient in attack.
“No matter the result we have gained, the return leg always presents difficulties but for us it is a good result and very good news.”
Neymar should have added to Barca’s lead early in the second half when he took a poor touch with only Rulli to beat.
And the Brazilian came close moments later when he curled wide of the far post from a neat Messi backheel.
Sociedad had plenty of possession but failed to record a single shot on target – a dangerous cross from Yuri that had too much pace for Mikel Oyarzabal at the far post was the closest the host came.
Indeed, Sociedad was fortunate not to concede a second penalty when Neymar was booked for diving in the 65th minute, despite Rulli appearing to clip his heels as the Barca forward rounded the keeper.
The two sides meet again for the second leg at Camp Nou on Jan 26.
Despite mostly empty stands on a freezing night in the Spanish capital, Atletico made light work of an Eibar side shorn of many of its usual starters to ensure the return leg should be a formality.
“It was difficult in the first half but you could see the chances would come if we were a bit more precise and that happened in the second half,” said Atletico boss Diego Simeone.
The host had the ball in the net on 25 minutes, but Stefan Savic was harshly ruled offside as he slotted home from close range.
However, Atletico waited only three minutes more for the opener when Jose Maria Gimenez beat keeper Yoel Rodriguez to a lofted freekick and France international Griezmann headed the Uruguayan’s knockdown into an empty net.
Rodriguez almost redeemed himself in the second period when Yannick Carrasco ran through on goal, but despite saving the Belgian’s strike, the ball fell kindly for Correa to tap in the rebound.
Seven minutes later, Atletico killed off the tie when Griezmann, who was this week strongly linked with a summer move to Manchester United in British media reports, headed across goal from Koke’s corner and the grateful, unmarked Gameiro headed home.