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The title race in La Liga is open again after Real Madrid suffered a lose against Deportivo de La Coruña. Los Merengues continue their recent poor form losing four times in last six games.
Deportivo had just one plan in mind when they played the Whites - don't allow the Madrid midfiled to pass the ball upfront - and they executed that to perfection. The only goal in the match came from Pepe when the ball deflected off his knee into his own net.
Deportivo manager Miguel Ãngel Lotina had earlier stated that the Whites will be the clear winners of the La Liga this season. But he did not mention that his men where going to give the Los Merengues a real fight.
History
Real Madrid does not have a good record at the Riazor.Its been 16 years since they have won any match there. Deportivo has won 11 of them and the remaining 5 were drawn. But Bernd Schuster came in with a Real Madrid team which has won 20 out of 27 matches they have played and he surely wanted to change history.
Team News
Schuster started with their best attacking player Robinho in the bench. Soldado enjoyed a rare start with Drenthe in the left and Pepe back in the squad after a calf injury.
Deportivo had a solid defence lead by captain Manual Pablo and left back Felipe -former Castilla favourite. Lafita on loan from Zaragoza and Wilhelmsson from FC Nantes was also in the starting line-up.
The match had a quiet start with Real Madrid not able to convert the majority of possession they enjoyed. Schuster's men passed the ball into feet perfectly till midfield and they tried to lob the ball into the penalty box to break the five-men defence.
Deportivo had done their homework and they did not allow Sneijder or Drenthe to run into the flanks and cross the ball in. Guti played some lovely through balls but Raul and Soldado did not have any cohesion in their movement. Dudu Aouate and Iker Casillas remained as mere spectators in the majority of the first half.
Depor Tactics
Lotina was a winner in organising the team and tactically overpowering Bernd Schuster. He had his players defending deep and counter-attacking.
The second half saw a Deportivo attacking down the flanks with Lafita and Felipe combining in the left and Wilhelmsson in the right. Julian de Guzman dictated the midfield and Sergio made some excellent interceptions.
Impressive Lafita
Lafita's pace and ball control was unbelievable and he gave Miguel Torres a tough time. Pepe had to help him out on several occasions. The Portugese defender had a good day at defence except for the deflected own goal.
Pepe own goal
Pepe was clearly disappointed with that but he could not be blamed for putting the ball past his own net. It was Felipe who dodged past Miguel Torres in the 57th minute and fired the ball in which Pepe could only try to block. Iker Casillas was already committed to the cross and he could not save it. The blame should be put on Torres for not attacking the ball early Diarra who did not attempt to close down the attacker.
After the goal, Real Madrid looked more attacking with Robinho and HIguain coming off the bench. Schuster took a tired Heinze off and played with only three in the defence. Guti was in good touch but he could not pierce not much passes through the nine men Depor defence.
Lotino took the attacking Lafita off the pitch and the fans gave him a standing ovation. He was clearly the man of the match. Andres Guardado came in for him and he had two attempts on goal including a long range effort which Casillas handled well.
Los Merengues played long balls through out and it cost them the match. Lotino deserve the applause for the way he organised the defence and inspired his players. It now takes the Galician club into a reasonable 12th position in the table. Real Madrid are still on top with eight points clear of Barcelona who have are playing Almeria this sunday.
Line-ups
Deportivo de La Coruña : Aouate, Manual Pablo (C), Coloccini, Aguado, Alberto Lopo, Soriano, Lafita[Guardado - 78'], Xisco[Riki - 66'], Felipe, Wilhelmsson
Real Madrid : Iker Casillas, Heinze[Baptista - 78'], Cannavaro, Miguel Torres, Pepe, Guti, Drenthe[Robinho - 68'], Diarra, Sneijder, Raul (C), Soldado[Higuain - 68']
Written by Abhilash Manapatt
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