Press review: Barça criticised for losing their style after Anoeta miracle

After Barcelona’s struggles at Real Sociedad, both Luis Enrique and Gerard Pique were very critical of the team, especially the lack of identity Barça showed at Anoeta. In many cases, it’s something which has been interpreted as gradually building up as recent matches have passed. 

If at SPORT.es we titled Monday’s cover “Miracle at Anoeta” to explain what everyone felt was an unjustified point against La Real, the match reports and the opinion pieces have followed a similar line in the rest of the media. 

LAMENTABLE BARÇA 

“A lamentable Barça miraculously save a point at Anoeta,” said El Periodico. As for the first half, they added: “There is no precedent for such an unworthy 45 minutes, incapable of moving the ball out from the back and, above all, leaving a wretched image.”

And on the style? “Touch, patience, control, governing the game, intelligence with and without the ball, pressing the first line, arriving from wide, midfielders involved in the game, full-backs incorporated… No, not Barça. Definitely not. It was Eusebio’s La Real, a team it was a pleasure to watch.” 

SHIPWRECK… ALMOST 

El Pais took a similar line: “Barcelona were saved from a shipwreck against La Real. No-one won the game, even though La Real were La Real and Barça their circumstances. That’s to say they weren’t Barça, because they didn’t know how to be and because La Real didn’t let them be. It could have been worse for the Blaugrana, who saved some of the furniture at Anoeta, if not all of it. And it could have been better for La Real, who were so close to ousting Barça from their La Liga thrown. Or at least sending for an indictment.”

La Vanguardia called it a “Draw and thank you in San Sebastian.” Even though they point out Barça are obliged to win wherever they play, they considered it a good point given Real Sociedad’s performance. 

“Once again, Luis Enrique’s men were incapable of providing an image in accordance with their status and level in football at Anoeta. A legal Juanmi goal which was ruled out would have given the home side a deserved victory in the final minutes of the game.” 

GIL MANZANO AND BARÇA 

It was the officials’ decision to rule out that goal which was also regularly brought up. AS said: “An infamous Barça survive at Anoeta… thanks to Gil Manzano.” 

The report begins: “The most infamous Barça in years managed to achieve a miracle point at Anoeta after drawing 1-1 in a game in which Real Sociedad gave them a going over. The fleeting appearance of Messi and Neymar, plus a goal unfairly ruled out by Gil Manzano, avoided an even bigger disaster for Luis Enrique’s side.” 

Marca said: “It’s hard to remember a worst first half from Barcelona. Not in this season or in many. Luis Enrique must be counting down the days until Andres Iniesta returns because the consistency of the Barça midfield is the beginning of all their woes at the moment.”