Player Analysis: Ander Barrenetxea

21st March 2021, Real Sociedad face Barcelona at the Anoeta. Despite the lack of fans, the excitement was apparent. For la Real, this was a chance to replicate their early season form. Imanol Alguacil’s side was imperious when La Liga kicked off. However, as March continue to roll on, their decline became inevitable as they continued to drop in the table.

Following a defeat to Granada, now was their chance to crash Lionel Messi’s party for becoming Barcelona’s all-time leader in appearances. Winning this match would give them the confidence needed to yet again start performing. These were their hopes. The reality, however, was that 60 minutes in, Alguacil’s side was down by four goals. In fact, they had to call upon a 19-year-old attacker to make a difference. Enter, Ander Barrenetxea.

20 km from France’s border, in the Basque country, lies San Sebastian, the capital city of the province of Gipuzkoa. It is apparent that little Barrenetxea grew up watching players like Xabi Prieto. Someone who had offers from much bigger clubs but stayed at Sociedad due to pure loyalty and love. Now, just a few years older than him, Mikel Oyarzabal is looked up with the kind of fervour and fanatism that Prieto inspired. Barrenetxea could very well be up next. 

https://breakingthelines.com/player-analysis/player-analysis-mikel-oyarzabal/