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Deportivo de La Coruña put forward a spirited performance to route Barça at the Riazor. This result sees Barcelona out of the title chase without any questions.
Deportivo de La Coruña 2-0 FC Barcelona
Scorers: Juan Rodriguez (54'), Pablo Amo (76').
Venue: Riazor [34,600]
Referee: Carlos Delgado Ferreiro
Deportivo La Coruna: Aouate, Manuel Pablo, Lopo, Pablo Amo, Coloccini, Felipe, Wilhelmsson, Juan, Rodriguez, De Guzman, Lafita.
Barcelona: Pinto, Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Sylvinho, Marquez, Yaya, Gudjohnsen, Giovani, Bojan, Henry
Europe seems possible
Deportivo's dreams of Europe is looking good as they defeated Barça in a thrilling encounter. The La Corunya, enjoying the sixth straight win at home, are just two points away from the EURO Cup spot. An away win would have been a morale booster for Rijkaard's side, who are taking on Manchester United in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.
Xavi, Eto'o, Messi rested
The Blaugranes came to the Riazor without the playmakers Xavi, Iniesta and Messi and the prolific scorer Eto'o, all rested for the champions league clash. Puyol found his name in the starting line-up and so did Pinto, a surprise inclusion.
First-Half
The match started with a low tempo, Depor trying to break with Lafita attacking from the wing. He was the first to test Pinto, who did brilliantly to stop the cross-shot. Felipe, Wilhelmsson and Lafita combined again and DEportivo looked sharp with the attack, Xisco nearly scored, the wood-work coming to Barca's rescue. The Barcelona defence looked shaky whenever Felipe and Lafita attacked. Later in the half, Barca recovered their order and organisation in mid-field, thanks to Yaya Toure who showed great nerves in winning the ball back. Bojan chipped a ball into the box for Gudjohnson, a sweet first-touch on the ball, but he couldn't keep it in full control and the shot went over. Bojan looked dangerous in the dying minutes of the first period, but he could not break the organised Depor defence.
Second-Half
The second half saw Depor charging forward with their fantastic fans behind and forced Barca to drop gear. Depor struck in the 54th minute, Juan Rodriguez sending the ball past Pinto's goal, Lafita providing the cross. The goal changed the game and Barca tried to attack, with Deco coming in from the bench to provide the missing link in the midfield. Felipe spearheaded the attack from the left-wing and Depor enjoyed the strategy they employed becoming fruitful. A foul on the wing gave way to the second goal(76th min), the unmarked Pablo Amo heading the ball in off a Wilhelmsson free-kick.
Lotina's first win
The Basque has never been able to register a win against Frank Rijkaard, even after eight confrontations in the La Liga. The way he has instilled faith in his team is beyond compare as Depor go searching for a place in Europe next season.
Written by Abhilash Manapatt
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