La Liga LIVE: Barcelona v Real Sociedad score & updates

Summary

Barcelona's first La Liga game since Messi exit
Memphis & ex-Man City defender Garcia make debuts
Aguero not involved - out injured for 10 weeks

Live Reporting

Ellie Thomason

Postpublished at 18:59 British Summer Time 15 August 2021
Barcelona v Real Sociedad (20:00 BST)
The teams are making their way out. Barcelona and Real Madrid's La Liga opener is minutes away.
Image source, Reuters
How are La Liga's big three looking?published at 18:57 British Summer Time 15 August 2021
Barcelona v Real Sociedad (20:00 BST)
With Barcelona letting go of the greatest player of all time and Real Madrid losing a three-time Champions League-winning partnership - we asked if this season is defending champions Atletico Madrid's title to lose?
Or could there be a new winner?
As the new La Liga season kicks off with fans being allowed back into games, we looked at how the 'big three' are shaping up - and what else there is to watch out for.
Take a look here.
Image source, Getty Images
Elsewhere in La Liga...published at 18:53 British Summer Time 15 August 2021
Barcelona v Real Sociedad (20:00 BST)
La Liga champions Atletico Madrid began their title defence by beating Celta Vigo with both sides reduced to 10 men.
Argentine forward Angel Correa scored in each half for Atletico, smashing in the opener into the top corner and then finishing off a slick counter-attack.
Iago Aspas had levelled for Celta from the penalty spot and should have gained a point late on for the hosts.
Aspas went round goalkeeper Jan Oblak but fired into the side-netting with the goal gaping.
An ill-tempered contest saw two red cards given in injury-time to Celta's Hugo Mallo and Atletico's Mario Hermoso for a fracas, as well as eight yellow cards during the game.
Image source, Getty Images
Team news - Depay makes Barca debutpublished at 18:50 British Summer Time 15 August 2021
Barcelona v Real Sociedad (20:00 BST)
The team news is in.
Ronald Koeman hands Netherlands forward Memphis Depay his Barcelona debut after joining from Lyon in the summer. Former Manchester City centre-back Eric Garcia also makes his first start. The pair were only registered yesterday after Gerard Pique took a big pay cut.
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For Real Sociedad, David Silva, Adnan Januzaj and Mikel Oyarzabal all start. There is no sign of goalkeeper Mat Ryan, who is out for six weeks with a knee injury after joining the La Liga side in the summer after four years with Brighton & Hove Albion.
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Barca without Agueropublished at 18:49 British Summer Time 15 August 2021
Barcelona v Real Sociedad (19:00 BST)
There's no Messi, and no Sergio Aguero tonight for Barcelona either.
The striker, who is sat watching his team-mates warm up from the dugouts, is out for 10 weeks because of a right calf injury.
Speaking at the time of his move to Spain, Aguero said: "We all know that Barcelona are the best club in the world.
"I think I made a great decision to be here and of course it is a step forward in my career."
Image source, Getty Images
Postpublished at 18:47 British Summer Time 15 August 2021
Barcelona v Real Sociedad (20:00 BST)
The fans are back and there was a warm welcome for the Barca players, but as expected, there's still a lot of love for Messi inside the Nou Camp this evening.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Reuters
Fans return to Nou Camppublished at 18:46 British Summer Time 15 August 2021
Barcelona v Real Sociedad (20:00 BST)
It's a beautiful night for it as Barcelona welcome fans back to the Nou Camp for the first time in 526 days.
Their last game with supporters was on 7 March 2020 - also against Real Sociedad.
The Catalan government have allowed 30% capacity for tonight's game, so there are will be around 20,000 spectators for Barca's season opener.
Image source, Reuters
A new era for Barcapublished at 18:41 British Summer Time 15 August 2021
Barcelona v Real Sociedad (20:00 BST)
Life without Lionel Messi begins for Barcelona.
For the first time in 17 years, the Catalan giants will start a season without their star man after he signed a two-year contract with Paris St-Germain.
Messi left Barca - the only club he has played for - as they were unable to afford a new deal under La Liga's financial fair play rules.
Tonight his former club kick off their La Liga campaign against Real Sociedad.
Image source, Getty Images