You expect the net to bulge.

Superb inter-play from Martin Braithwaite and Frenkie de Jong, before finding Lionel Messi.

12 yards out with the whole goal to aim at, Messi side-foots his shot the wrong side of the post.

Barcelona's most dangerous player?

Martin Braithwaite.

He does not look out of place in that shirt.

The striker makes a direct run down the left and cuts the ball back, but Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remino can gather.

Postpublished at 37 mins

37 mins

Barcelona 0-0 Real Sociedad

Lionel Messi miscontrols a pass to him inside the box.

He is human after all.

"Meeeeessi, Meeeeessi," chant the home fans as the Barcelona skipper almost breaks the deadlock but he pokes his effort straight at the big frame of Alex Merino.

From the resulting corner, Martin Braithwaite thumps a header over.

It's livening up.

Barca midfielder Ivan Rakitic drags a shot wide from 20 yards out.

Should have done better, he had space.

Sociedad are being fearless here at the Nou Camp.

Teenager Ander Barrenetxea clips a cross at the near post for Alexander Isak, but the Swede heads over.

Every time Sociedad go forward they are looking to get the ball Martin Odegaard.

And why not, the Norwegian has been their star player this season.

He peels away from Nelson Semedo down the right but then overhits his cross towards Alexander Isak in the box.

Martin Braithwaite in from Jordi Alba's pass and smashes a finish into the net.

No.

The flag is already up, Braithwaite was a couple of yards off.

Barca defender Clement Lenglet into the book for a late, sliding challenge in on Portu.

Tightrope.

Lovely touch from the aforementioned Martin Braithwaite, clipping it past Diego Llorente and he is away.

But the Barca striker is forced wide as he approaches the area and strangles a shot straight at Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro.

A north east reunion here today.

Ex-Boro Martin Braithwaite and former Newcastle midfielder Mikel Merino both in action.

But Barcelona suddenly come alive.

Lionel Messi sets Martin Braithwaite free down the left edge of the box but the former Boro striker's low shot is saved at the near post by Alex Remiro.

Barcelona haven't got going yet and it is Real Sociedad who are doing all the running early on.

Martin Odegaard is causing issues every time he gets forward and this time his low cross is hacked away from danger by Gerard Pique.

Nice from Real Sociedad early on.

The very dangerous Martin Odegaard - on-loan from rivals Real Madrid - weaves his way into the Barca box but screwing a shot wide.

Bright start from the visitors.

Off we go at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, De Jong, Griezmann, Messi, Braithwaite.

Real Sociedad XI: Remiro, Gorosabel, Llorente, Le Normand, Monreal, Guevara, Portu, Odegaard, Merino, Barrenetxea, Isak.

With league leaders Real Madrid not playing until Sunday, champions Barcelona have the opportunity to go top of the table.

But standing in their way are sixth-placed Real Sociedad, who are having a very good season.

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