Barcelona 1 - Real Sociedad 0

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Belletti, Thuram, Puyol (Oleguer 27'), Sylvinho; Xavi, Edmilson, Deco (Iniesta 65'); Giuly, Gudjohnsen (Ezquerro 79'), Ronaldinho. 4-3-3.
Real Sociedad: Bravo; Gerardo, Mikel González, Juanito, López Rekarte; Jesuli (Agirretxe 79'), Diego Rivas (Garitano 68'), Xabi Prieto, Aranburu; Uranga (Garrido 74'), Kovacevic. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Barça: Ronaldinho for Iniesta / Real: Diego Rivas, Xabi Prieto, Kovacevic for Ansotegui, Garitano, Novo.

Goals:
1-0. 60. Ronaldinho. Got on end of Giuly cross to place shot wide of Bravo.

Barcelona beat struggling Real Sociedad 1-0 on Saturday evening to hold on to top spot, although it was not one of their better performances and they were clearly suffering a hang-over from their midweek Champions League game.

Gudjohnsen and Xavi both had goals disallowed for borderline offsides before the break, and Ronaldinho went close with an acrobatic free kick. But the Basque side held on until the hour mark, when Ronaldinho connected with Giuly's cross to beat Bravo with a low shot.

Frank Rijkaard's side couldn't add to their lead though, and Víctor Valdés had to be at his best to keep out a shot from Kovacevic and a Mikel González header near the end. Barça ended the match with ten men after Sylvinho was sent off for a second bookable offence.