Off to Japan as leaders (1-0)

Ronaldinho made the difference yet again. Real Sociedad came to defend and very nearly sneaked a surprise point from their visit to the Camp Nou. Barça found it very difficult to break the Basque side down, but got the job done and will fly off to Japan in a confident mood.

The game was not the most attractive that the Camp Nou has witnessed this season, but Frank Rijkaard's side has three more points in the bag thanks to a 61st minute Ronaldinho goal and an immaculate performance from goalkeeper Víctor Valdés.

Ronaldinho and Giuly the main threats

Ronaldinho was the man who created the most danger in the Real area, while Giuly was in amazing form down the right wing with a series of piercing runs. But misfortune in front of goal and some more than debatable offside decisions meant the home side went in at the break without having opened their account as expected.

The first moment of danger came in the 12th minute, when Ronaldinho beat the offside trap and struck a beautiful diagonal shot that very nearly found its way in over Real keeper Rivas' head. Shortly after, a chance fell to Gudjohnsen but his effort from outside the area and straight into the net was ruled out for an offside infringement. In the 23rd minute, the linesman invalidated yet another Barça goal. This time, Xavi intercepted a clearance, and set up Ronaldinho to convert in style. But the linesman adjudged the Brazilian to have been in an offside position and his flag went up.

Head over heels

Ronaldinho was determined that he was the man to get Barcelona out of the rut they had found themselves in. Just as he did against Villarreal a fortnight ago, he went for a spectacular bicycle kick. This time, though from a longer range, he managed to put even more power behind the ball. And he nearly scored, but his effort went just wide of the post.

Deadlock broken at last

The Brazilian had no intention of easing up, almost scoring from a free kick just before half time, and finally getting his reward in the 61st minute. It all started with another Giuly run down the wing, and a delightful cross, which the Brazilian struck first touch with his left foot, and Barça were one up in a game that was looking worryingly more and more likely to end in stalemate.

Rests for Deco and Gudjohnsen With Barça ahead, Frank Rijkaard opted to rest Deco and Gudjohnsen. Puyol had already been substituted in the first half with problems with his left leg, and had been replaced by Oleguer. But the changes were so smooth that they were barely noticeable, and the home side created more and more chances, with Sylvinho involved in what some referees might have interpreted as a penalty, and Xavi putting an excellent strike into the side netting.

Valdés avoids the draw

But although Barça dominated both possession and in the shot count, there were two moments when Real Sociedad could have squeezed a dramatic equaliser. The first fell to the veteran Kovacevic in the 78th minute, but his shot from within the area was saved by a well positioned Víctor Valdés. They came even closer deep into injury time, and when Barça were down to ten men following the sending off of Sylvinho for a second bookable offence. The chance was a Garrido header from close range, and it was thanks to a spectacular save from Valdés that Barça did not have to rue the loss of two important points.

24 points between them

After just 13 games there are already 24 points between league leaders Barça and second to last Real Sociedad. Barça will be looking to stretch their lead before heading off to Japan for the World Club Cup.

Tonight's game at the Camp Nou (20.00 h/Barça TV) is the last before Barça fly off to the Far East. Real Sociedad, the only side that has yet to register a league win this term will be facing a side that is under a lot less pressure now that Werder Bremen are out of the way, while another win today would allow Barcelona to go to Japan in a far more relaxed mood.

Márquez, out: Rafa Márquez will not be playing as he is still carrying the ankle injury that prevented him from appearing against Levante last week. The centre of defence is therefore more than likely to be made up of Puyol and Thuram, supported by Motta or Edmílson in the pivotal role just in front. Although Iniesta is recovering quickly from his injury picked up against Werder Bremen, Frank Rijkaard will probably rest him and play Xavi as a starter, joining Deco in midfield.

A troubled guest: Real Sociedad come to the Camp Nou with problems both on (second to last with just six points) and off the pitch, following the high profile fight between Juanito and Rossato in training this week. Rossato will be out for a month as a consequence, while matters are not helped by Felicio, Mikel Alonso, Stevanovic, Skoubo and Díaz de Cerio also being injured. With the latter out, Real have just one natural centre forward, the veteran Darko Kovacevic, likely to be supported by the on-loan Jesuli.

Lotina, the draw expert: After nine games, Real Sociedad were bottom with just two draws under José Mari Bakero, who was ousted to make room for Miguel Ángel Lotina. Under their new manager, the Basque side has yet to lose, but neither have they won, having ended four consecutive games as draws. There has been marked improvement, especially in defence, but it is still not enough to suggest that the club will be playing anything other than second division football next season.

Positive history: FC Barcelona have an excellent record against Real Sociedad. In the last 11 years, Barça have won every home game against the San Sebatian based club, and have not lost at home in 15. In 62 games in Barcelona, Real have only ever won three times, in 1978-79, 1985-86 and 1990-91. The other games have ended in 52 home wins and seven draws.