Barcelona finish the season against Real Sociedad and say goodbye to a legend.
The league title may have been won, but this is still a huge game. Andres Iniesta is coming to the end of his long illustrious career with Barcelona. Therefore, he deserves a proper send-off in recognition of what he has brought to the club. His elegance and ability to evade danger have helped form part of some of the best football Camp Nou has ever witnessed.
Iniesta has been with the club since 1996 and made his debut for the first-team in 2002. Since then he has become a perennial winner with a World Cup, two Euros, four Champions Leagues and nine league titles among a large collection.
His entire career has been selflessly dedicated to Barca along with countless other greats who graduated through La Masia. However, it’s time for him to move on at a high and see out his career wherever he desires. Hopefully, a full Camp Nou can see him off. He certainly deserves it after a career full of magic, sportsmanship and success.
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Recent History
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This fixture has been heavily dependent on who is playing at home in recent seasons. Barcelona had so many issues playing away against Real Sociedad in the league that it became known as the “Anoeta curse”. However, that was finally broken this season after 11 winless years with a 4-2 victory. However, it wasn’t as easy as the scoreline suggests with the Catalans 2-0 down at one point.
1995 was the last time Barcelona didn’t win at home against La Real in any competition with 21 games in that intervening period. The last three matches between these two at Camp Nou have averaged just over 5 goals.
Real Sociedad come into this on the back of two away losses while Barcelona are unbeaten at home since September 2016 in all competitions. Therefore, the history and recent form suggest that anything but a win would be a huge surprise.
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Team News
Sergi Roberto is suspended for this match with two games left to serve on that including this one. Thomas Vermaelen is also unavailable due to a hamstring injury. Paulinho isn’t in the matchday squad due to Ernesto Valverde wanting to give him a rest. Aside from that, Valverde has a full squad available.
La Real manager Imanol Alguacil has a strong squad to pick from for this match. Hector Moreno, Jon Guridi and Imanol Agirretxe are out with injury while Carlos Martinez is doubtful.
This is also a significant day for Real Sociedad because stalwart Xabi Prieto is retiring. He has been with the club since 2000 and made his first-team debut in 2002 same as Iniesta. Prieto is another player that deserves a great send-off because he has dedicated his entire career to the club.
Predictions
This should be an entertaining affair with both teams aiming to give their departing stars a memorable last game. Neither side has anything to play for apart from pride, so there won’t be an edge to this with no nerves. Real Sociedad have been entertaining to watch during parts of this season, but also leaky defensively. Therefore, they are the ideal opponents to have for a last game.
Valverde has chosen a full-strength squad for this match, so they should be able to blow La Real away with their attacking play especially because they are at home. There will also want to make a point after losing their unbeaten record to Levante in the last game. They were only two games away from making history. A high-scoring affair is probable with Real Sociedad likely to score as well.
Barcelona 4-1 Real Sociedad