De Jong Slams Referee After Barcelona Shock Defeat at Real Sociedad
Barcelona captain Frenkie de Jong launched a furious critique of referee Jesus Gil Manzano after the league leaders suffered a surprise 2–1 defeat to Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena, a night defined by controversy, disallowed goals, and mounting frustration.
The Dutch midfielder was at the center of the post-match fallout following a game in which Barcelona saw three goals ruled out and failed to convert dominance into points, leaving De Jong visibly angry as he spoke moments after the final whistle.
Barcelona’s frustration grew as the match progressed, with Lamine Yamal seeing a first-half effort chalked off and several promising moments halted by decisions that disrupted rhythm and momentum. The tension peaked late on when De Jong was booked during stoppage time as Barca pushed desperately for an equaliser.
The result carries significance in the wider title race. Barcelona remain top of La Liga but have now allowed their advantage to shrink, with Real Madrid closing to within a point after winning elsewhere. Dropped points at Anoeta have become a recurring issue, and this latest setback may yet prove costly.
The atmosphere inside the Reale Arena was hostile and intense from the opening stages, with the home crowd feeding off Sociedad’s aggressive pressing and quick transitions. Barcelona controlled large spells of possession early on, but Sociedad’s compact shape and sharp counterattacks kept the contest finely balanced.
Several key moments shifted the tone of the game. Barcelona repeatedly appealed for quicker restarts as Sociedad slowed play late on, while the referee’s handling of dissent became a major talking point. De Jong’s yellow card in stoppage time further inflamed tensions on the pitch.
The most decisive moments came in front of goal. Sociedad struck clinically when opportunities arose, while Barcelona were repeatedly denied by a standout performance from the home goalkeeper. Yamal’s disallowed goal in the first half proved pivotal, altering the flow of the contest and increasing the sense of injustice felt by the visitors.
After the break, Barcelona raised the tempo and created a string of chances, but composure deserted them in the final third. Sociedad defended deeper, absorbed pressure, and relied on sharp interventions at crucial moments to protect their lead.
Late drama followed as Barcelona threw bodies forward, but broken play, stoppages, and missed chances drained the final minutes of momentum. The equaliser never came, and the whistle was met with anger rather than resignation from the away side.
Barcelona now turn their attention to the upcoming fixtures knowing that fine margins are beginning to define their season. For De Jong and his teammates, the challenge will be to refocus quickly, cut out inefficiency in front of goal, and ensure that frustration does not derail a title push that remains firmly within reach.