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REVISIONS about the Barca game, ADD quotes

La Liga leaders Barcelona suffered a 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad on Sunday after Robert Lewandowski’s goal was controversially disallowed. Coach Hansi Flick labeled the decision a “big mistake”.

Earlier, Julian Alvarez earned Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win over Mallorca to move the Rojiblancos into third place.

Sheraldo Becker’s 33rd-minute goal handed Barcelona their second league defeat of the season, leaving the Catalan giants six points clear of second-placed Real Madrid after playing an extra match.

Lewandowski’s early disallowed strike sparked a furious debate over whether the Polish striker had been offside or not.

“It was clearly the wrong decision, that’s for sure, but we have to accept it,” Flick told the club’s streaming platform Barca One.

“The referee, it wasn’t his fault. We are human, we make mistakes and today was a big mistake.”

Barcelona were without teenage star Lamine Yamal after taking a blow to the ankle during the Champions League win against Red Star Belgrade in midweek and severely missing his spark.

The Catalans failed to score in a match for the first time this season in all competitions as eighth-place Real Sociedad held on, while Barcelona failed to manage a single shot on target.

“The responsibility for this defeat lies with us, we are responsible, we can play much better,” Flick admitted.

“It’s a difficult place to go, where La Real pushes a lot… we have to learn from our mistakes and that’s all,” Barcelona midfielder Pedri told Movistar.

“Normally we score goals, but today we were not accurate. I think it will be a one-off and in the next games we will be more precise.

“I think the team is working well and (not scoring) is not something that worries me.”

Playmaker Dani Olmo started on the bench, while defender Pau Cubarsi played in a mask after suffering a cut in Serbia that required stitches to his face.

The Catalans have had a difficult time in San Sebastian in the past and had another uncomfortable night in the Basque Country.

Lewandowski thought he had given Barcelona the lead after 13 minutes when he reacted well to a blocked shot to fire home, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review.

Referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez was told Lewandowski was offside, although the striker did not appear to be in front of Real Sociedad defender Nayef Aguerd.

The semi-automated offside technology used in La Liga indicated that the front of Lewandowski’s boot was off, but the Spanish media furiously debated whether the technology had misinterpreted Aguerd’s heel as part of the veteran’s boot striker.

After Barcelona’s goal was disallowed, the hosts took control and tested visiting goalkeeper Inaki Pena several times.

Takefusa Kubo’s low drive stung Pena’s fingers after a nice dribble in from the Japanese international’s right flank.

Becker put Real Sociedad ahead with a cool low finish after Luka Sucic nodded the ball into his path.

Flick brought on Dani Olmo for the ineffective Frenkie de Jong at half-time, but Barcelona remained in second place.

Becker fired wide after Jules Kounde did just enough to deter the Real Sociedad winger, and Ander Barrenetxea also squeezed a shot wide from a tight angle after bursting into the area.

Despite scoring 40 goals in their first twelve league matches, Barcelona failed to find the net or even create any danger in the closing stages.

“We really wanted to win at home and there was no better team to do that against,” said Real Sociedad midfielder Brais Mendez.

“They are the most in-form team in Europe and the fans deserved a night like this.”

Diego Simeone’s Atletico side recorded their fourth successive win in all competitions in a tight clash at the Son Moix Stadium in Mallorca.

Alvarez scored his fourth league goal since joining Atletico from Manchester City in the summer in the 61st minute after being selflessly set up by Diego Simeone’s son Giuliano Simeone.

“We knew it would be a difficult match. We got better in the second half. The goal came and we took three important points,” said Argentina international Alvarez.