(VIDEO) Barcelona are furious with the referee for these decisions vs. Real Sociedad

Barcelona need to get a win this Saturday in San Sebastian against Real Sociedad to close the gap with Girona in the La Liga standings. The leaders beat Osasuna 4-2 to reach 31 points, 7 more than Los Blaugranas. In addition, Real Madrid can also reach that amount if they win their match against Rayo Vallecano this Sunday.

That's why Xavi Hernandez's team has the pressure of knowing that they can't let this opportunity pass them by or their chances of competing for the 2023/24 La Liga title will be reduced. But things are not going as they had hoped and during the first half they have not performed well.

In fact the hosts have been closer to the opener. Ander Barrenetxea had a chance in the first minute with a strong shot, but goalkeeper Ter Stegen saved it. And in the next two minutes again the German goalie had to work to prevent goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino. The visitors' reaction came on 19 minutes, when Gavi dribbled past an opponent inside the box and, when one-on-one with keeper Remiro, took too long to shoot.

Barcelona had reason to be dissatisfied with Javier Alberola Rojas. In the last minutes of the first half, the referee decided not to give two penalties to Xavi Hernandez's team. First Robert Lewandowski was brought down near the line of the box, without it being clear whether it was inside or outside. And then Joao Felix claimed a foul, although Alberola Rojas considered that nothing happened. And the VAR agreed with him.

Coach must do something

Barcelona's performance during the first half was not good, so Xavi Hernandez may decide to make changes after the break. The substitutes are: Iñaki Peña, Ander Astralaga, Andreas Christensen, Marcos Alonso, Pedri, Marc Casado, Oriol Romeu, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres.