Barcelona scramble the ball behind for a corner after Real Sociedad play through them again and find Ander Barrenetxea - the defining force in this first half - inside the penalty area.

The home side can't make the set piece count but win the ball back, go down the right and win another one.

Ander Barrenetxea is finding all kinds of space down the left and is picked out by Takefusa Kubo.

He moves towards the edge of the box but it's neither shot nor cross and the ball goes out for a goal kick.

Down the other end, Joao Cancelo lets fly from 25 yards but the shot sails high and wide of the goal.

Takefusa Kubo has a shot from 20 yards blocked before Ander Barrenetxea goes down under the challenge of Ronald Araujo.

He wants a penalty but there was nothing doing and the referee waves play on.

Better from Barcelona as they manage to hold onto the ball for a spell.

However, it comes to nothing as Alejandro Balde went too soon as got onto Ilkay Gundogan's chipped ball down the left. Offside.

A first opportunity for Barcelona and it comes after good work from Gavi.

He nutmegs his man on the edge of the box and it opens up for him.

However, instead of taking the shot on, he tries to pull it back and Real Sociedad are able to clear it behind for a corner.

Real Sociedad are getting in almost at will!

They get in down the left and Ander Barrenetxea feeds a superb ball across the six-yard box.

It comes all the way through to Takefusa Kubo beyond the far post and his shot is kept out by the feet of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Almost immediately, the home side get in again with Hamari Traore getting to the by-line but unable to pick out a team-mate in the middle.

Image source, Getty Images

Real Sociedad win the ball back in Barcelona's half again and Mikel Merino drives forward.

The midfielder gets caught in two minds over whether to pass or shoot when he gets to the edge of the area, though, and does neither as Gavi dispossesses him.

Clever movement from Ander Barrenetxea to get in behind the Barcelona defence from a quick throw in down the right.

The away side are able to crowd him out and win back possession but the way they just allowed the Real Sociedad winger to drift into the space sums up their rather lackadaisical start.

Barcelona were able to clear that free-kick but they've offered nothing going forward so far.

They string a few passes together for the first time but are then caught in possession inside their own half again.

This time the pass from Ander Barrenetxea is behind Mikel Oyarzabal, though, and Barca clear.

Crunching tackle from Ronald Araujo to take out Aihen Munoz.

The home fans are furious but, initially, it looks as though the referee has just given a throw-in.

Munoz stays down and eventually a free-kick is given. A chance for the hosts to get the ball into the box again.

Araujo is very fortunate to avoid a booking there.

Image source, Getty Images

Barcelona have just not got started!

From the corner, Mikel Merino is able to dart to the near post and is left completely unmarked.

Fortunately for the visitors, the header drifts just wide. Xavi is looking distinctly unimpressed in the technical area.

Real Sociedad are in again.

This time it is a loose back pass from Jules Kounde and Mikel Oyarzabal is able to steal in.

He toe-pokes his effort towards goal but Marc-Andre ter Stegen tips it just wide.

Big let off for Barcelona.

Just 26 seconds gone and Ander Barrenetxea cuts inside and fires at effort goalwards from just inside the box.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen is alert to it, though, and gets down to his make a smart stop at his near post.

Very positive start for Sociedad.

Javier Alberola Rojas, the referee tonight, blows his whistle and away we go.

Barcelona, wearing their yellow away kit, are quickly caught in possession and the home side are immediately on the attack.

Image source, Getty Images

Imanol Alguacil's team have not only made a decent start in the league, they're also top of their Champions League group.

They'll want to make sure they're back in that competition again next year and a good result tonight will keep them within touching distance of the top four.

Anyway, the teams are out and there is a fantastic atmosphere inside the stadium with kick-off just a few moments away.

Five minutes until kick-off and there is quite the light show going on at Reale Arena.

I assume the aim is to get the Sociedad fans amped up and ready for this one. Let's see if it works...

Mikel Oyarzabal is the danger man for the home side.

The Real Sociedad skipper has scored six La Liga goals already this season, that's one more than Barcelona number nine Robert Lewandowksi.

Japan international Takefusa Kubo also has five league goals for the Basque club so far in 2023-24.

Image source, Getty Images

Real Sociedad XI: Remiro, Traore, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Munoz, Mendez, Zubimendi, Merino, Kubo, Barrenetxea, Oyarzabal.

Subs: Marrero, Odriozola, Elustondo, Fernandez, Cho, Zakharyan, Olasagasti, Sadiq, Turrientes, Gonzalez, Marin, Aramburu.

Image source, BBC/ Opta

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Araujo, Kounde, Martinez, Joao Cancelo, Gavi, Gundogan, Balde, Lopez, Lewandowski, Joao Felix.

Subs: Pena, Ferran Torres, Pedri, Raphinha, Christensen, Alonso, Romeu, Astralaga, Yamal, Casado.

Image source, BBC/ Opta

Records as well as three precious league points at stake then.

So let's look at the teams...

Image source, Getty Images

Barcelona have avoided defeat in each of their last seven visits to Real Sociedad in La Liga (W5 D2), winning the last three, having lost in each of their previous four away games against them in the competition.

However, Real Sociedad have not lost any of their last 15 home league games (W10 D5).

They could record their second-longest unbeaten run at home in the competition in the 21st century, surpassing one of 15 between 2012 and 2013 (W8 D7), following another of 29 between 2002 and 2003 (W18 D11).