The La Liga match on 20 May 2023 between Barcelona and Real Sociedad ended in a 1-2 win for the visiting side. The home team, Barcelona, struggled to convert their chances into goals despite maintaining a higher number of corner kicks and off-target shots. The match statistics reveal the details of this thrilling encounter which saw Real Sociedad emerging victorious at the Camp Nou.

Real Sociedad's goals were driven first by Mikel Merino in the initial minutes of the first half and then by Alexander Sorloth in the second half, both were facilitated by stellar assists, the first from Sorloth and the second from Martin Zubimendi. Despite the home team's valiant attempt later in the second half, with a goal led by Robert Lewandowski and assisted by Ferran Torres, Barcelona could not manage to level the match.

On-the-ball action was equally intriguing with shots being fired on both ends. Real Sociedad managed to take 6 shots on target, compared to Barcelona's 4. Barcelona, however, had a higher total number of shots with 13 attempts, 9 of which were off target. This statistic indicates Barcelona’s aggressive yet slightly imprecise approach. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad had 13 total shots with 7 off-target, demonstrating a slightly higher accuracy ratio.

In the midfield area, the home team's domination was apparent with 8 corner kicks compared to Real Sociedad's 2. This superiority in possession, however, did not convert into results on the scoreboard. Furthermore, Real Sociedad managed to handle Barcelona’s offside traps effectively, being caught offside only once compared to Barcelona's two offsides.

A fascinating component of this match was the level of physicality displayed by both teams. Real Sociedad committed twice the number of fouls as Barcelona (16 to 7), resulting in four yellow cards, the same number as their opponents. Notably, all of Barcelona’s yellow cards were awarded in the second half, which could point towards an increase in Barcelona's aggression as they sought to overturn Real Sociedad's lead.

Despite the evenly matched number of yellow cards, neither side was reduced to 10 men at any point. The absence of red cards in such a high-intensity match demonstrates disciplined play under tactical pressure.

Overall, the match was largely decided by Real Sociedad's more clinical finishing in front of the goal despite Barcelona's offensive pressure. Their effective defensive strategy, given the higher number of fouls they committed, and their ability to convert opportunities into goals, clearly highlight the key factors contributing to their victory. This should provide insightful contemplation for bettors analyzing the teams' performances on specific metrics. Despite Barcelona's aggression and control in the midfield, goals remain the ultimate determinant of a match's outcome, as this fixture prominently exemplified.

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