Barcelona's new 'Gala XI' emerges as Dembele and Co

Barcelona's new 'Gala XI' emerges as Dembele and Co. reach Copa del Rey semis over Real Sociedad

BARCELONA -- Ousmane Dembele scored the only goal of the game as Barcelona beat 10-man

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Real Sociedad 1-0 at Camp Nou on Wednesday to book their place in the semifinal of the Copa del Rey.

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Dembele, who was brilliant on the night, fired home in the 52nd minute,

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beating goalkeeper Alex Remiro at his near post after latching on to a through ball from Jules Kounde

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Brais Mendez had earlier been sent off for a reckless challenge on Sergio Busquets,

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but even down a player La Real almost equalised when Alexander Sorloth missed an open goal from six yards.

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Barca will regret not taking their chances to kill off the game, with Gavi hitting the woodwork,

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and they had goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to thank for late stops from Robert Navarro and Jon Ander Olasagasti.

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The best periods in Barcelona's recent history have often been accompanied by a clearly defined "Gala XI" -

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the term given by the local media to the first-choice team. Under Xavi, the Gala XI has not always been obvious, but it does appear to be now.

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