Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Real Sociedad | La Liga GW 26 | OneFootball

Barcelona’s 4-4 draw against Atletico Madrid did not burn any bridges for the team in the Copa del Rey. However, it was a result that frustrated the coach players, and fans alike.

After all, it was the second time this season that the Blaugrana failed to beat the Colchoneros despite dominating the game and being the better team by far.

On Sunday, however, Barcelona have to put that result behind them and return to action in La Liga. They once again face a cup semi-finalist in Real Sociedad, albeit in the league, and it is clear that it will be far from simple.

The last time the two teams met this season, La Real took home all three points and inflicted a defeat on Barcelona after Sheraldo Becker’s winner in the 33rd minute.

Taking revenge for that result, thus, will be on the minds of the players especially given how they are once again on top of the league standings.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Real Sociedad.

Need for efficiency

Barcelona’s recent draw against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey resurfaced several of the criticisms around the team’s play towards the end of last season.

In fact, the Catalans repeated many of the mistakes they committed the first time around against Diego Simeone’s side this season, especially in the final third.

Given the chances Hansi Flick’s side created on the night, they should have scored at least six goals past Diego Simeone’s men at Montjuic. Inefficient finishing, however, cost them dearly.

Ferran Torres missed two sitters on the night and both instances were shocking as he only had to beat the goalkeeper with acres of space to run into.

Robert Lewandowski came on after the break and did score one goal, but he lacked his usual cutting edge in the final third and should have had at least another goal to show for the chances he had.

As the Blaugrana enter a crucial game against La Real, it is critical that they return to their efficient selves in front of goal as they were in the first half of the season. Given the schedule ahead, they do not have long to address that flaw.

A case for Marc Casado?

Waiting for his chance. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Barcelona have been largely impressive in 2025 with no defeats to show yet in the calendar year. While most players have seen their stocks go bullish, however, Marc Casado has been moving in the wrong direction.

The La Masia midfielder, after all, has started just one of Barcelona’s last five games across all competitions and has slowly fallen down Flick’s pecking order in recent weeks.

Despite starting and delivering a strong performance against Las Palmas at the weekend, Flick did not call Casado off the bench when the game screamed for his inclusion and virtually cost his side the game owing to that error in judgment.

As Flick enters tomorrow’s game with a need to keep subtle rotations, it may be a good chance for him to relay his trust in Casado once more and give him a start in place of Frenkie de Jong in midfield.

The youngster has not done anything to warrant moving down the pecking order, and one chance may be all he needs to establish his supremacy once more. The question for the manager, however, is whether he will give him that opportunity.

Practicing perfection

“We are angry about the last ten minutes the team has played, we have not been at our level. We deserve the draw,” Pau Cubarsi told the media after Barcelona’s last game, demanding more from the defence including himself.

After all, the manner in which Barcelona threw away their two-goal lead against Simeone’s side was simply unacceptable and highlighted the lacunae in the department.

Barcelona’s offside trap has been largely perfect this season, but well-oiled opponents have always found a way through by capitalizing on moments of weakness.

As the team heads into a critical period, the need for perfection with the offside trap is more than ever and the objective against Real Sociedad will be to practice that to perfection.

The Azulgranas’ next opponent is Benfica, a side who exposed their defensive high-line with ease in the league stage, and it is clear that nothing short of perfection will suffice against the Portuguese giants.

Having been recently exposed by Atletico Madrid, the team’s defence has just a one-game interval to correct their mistakes and come back stronger.