[La Liga] Barcelona FC - La Coruna (1 Viewer)
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La Primera Liga Preview: Barcelona-Deportivo (#2)
BACKGROUND
Last week at the Estadio La Romareda, Barcelona came away with a fine 2-0 victory overcoming not only the side that knocked them out of the Copa del Rey, but also having to deal with sections of the crowd hurling racists chants at Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o. Though the club and the rest of Spanish football in general should be concerned about the paltry fine(£6,000)dished out by the country’s federation to Real Zaragoza, Barcelona must stay focused in what is a huge week for the club. Before the mammoth return leg versus Chelsea on Tuesday, Barca have a tricky home test against a Deportivo La Coruna side beginning to find some form.
With Deportivo on the verge of a European spot, the match will be anything but easy for the Catalans, so we can expect a competitive match at the Nou Camp as we approach a crucial stage of the season.
FORM
Barcelona WWLLW
After going on a long unbeaten run, Barcelona suffered two consecutive defeats to Atletico Madrid and Valencia. But, the Catalan giants shrugged off their minor slump with credible victories in their last two La Liga outings, a 5-1 thrashing of Real Betis and last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Zaragoza.
Deportivo WDWLL
Deportivo are coming off that fine 2-1 away win over Osasuna. After losing two straight at the end of January to Atletico Madrid and then Valencia, La Coruna have beaten Betis away and then tied Zaragoza 1-1 at home.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Barcelona
Frank Rijkaard has a full side from which to choose from. Ronaldinho trained on Thursday after suffering from a minor ankle injury that forced the Brazilian playmaker to miss Brazil’s friendly in Russia on Wednesday. Ludovic Giuly is also available for selection after recovering from a muscle injury in his left leg that has kept him out since mid-February.
Deportivo
Pedro Munitis should be fit in time for the clash at the Nou Camp. The long-term loss of Juan Carlos Valeron has surely affected Joaquin Caparros, but the Galicians have done themselves well with their latest run putting themselves on the verge of a European spot as we go down the stretch.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Barcelona: Ronaldinho: Easily the most influential player at one of the world’s best clubs. Though Eto’o bangs in the goals and the young Lionel Messi is becoming more and more a crucial part of the side, it’s Ronaldinho who Barca absolutely need. The vision, the creativity, and the desire of the world’s best player seems unmatched. Some may question the latter characteristic, but often underestimated is Ronaldinho’s motivation. Behind the goofy grin is the heart of a fighter who is constantly driving his team forward and with him Barcelona have that extra dimension that put them in a different class.
Deportivo:
Diego Tristan: The Andalucian born striker has had a quiet 2006, in fact his first goal of the New Year came only last weekend against Osasuna away. The strong frontman though is always a threat and that goal could signal a return to his normally prolific ways. 10 goals thus far is not a bad return on the season, but that should also be a warning to the rest of the clubs that Tristan will score more in the remainder of the season.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Barcelona TBA
Deportivo TBA
PREDICTION
A potentially tough one for Barcelona taking into account Deportivo’s rise in form and the fact that the Galicians now have something to fight for. That said, going against Barcelona at the moment is not a good idea and they should overcome Depor ahead of the Chelsea match. Prediction:
Barcelona 2 Deportivo 0
BACKGROUND
Last week at the Estadio La Romareda, Barcelona came away with a fine 2-0 victory overcoming not only the side that knocked them out of the Copa del Rey, but also having to deal with sections of the crowd hurling racists chants at Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o. Though the club and the rest of Spanish football in general should be concerned about the paltry fine(£6,000)dished out by the country’s federation to Real Zaragoza, Barcelona must stay focused in what is a huge week for the club. Before the mammoth return leg versus Chelsea on Tuesday, Barca have a tricky home test against a Deportivo La Coruna side beginning to find some form.
With Deportivo on the verge of a European spot, the match will be anything but easy for the Catalans, so we can expect a competitive match at the Nou Camp as we approach a crucial stage of the season.
FORM
Barcelona WWLLW
After going on a long unbeaten run, Barcelona suffered two consecutive defeats to Atletico Madrid and Valencia. But, the Catalan giants shrugged off their minor slump with credible victories in their last two La Liga outings, a 5-1 thrashing of Real Betis and last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Zaragoza.
Deportivo WDWLL
Deportivo are coming off that fine 2-1 away win over Osasuna. After losing two straight at the end of January to Atletico Madrid and then Valencia, La Coruna have beaten Betis away and then tied Zaragoza 1-1 at home.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Barcelona
Frank Rijkaard has a full side from which to choose from. Ronaldinho trained on Thursday after suffering from a minor ankle injury that forced the Brazilian playmaker to miss Brazil’s friendly in Russia on Wednesday. Ludovic Giuly is also available for selection after recovering from a muscle injury in his left leg that has kept him out since mid-February.
Deportivo
Pedro Munitis should be fit in time for the clash at the Nou Camp. The long-term loss of Juan Carlos Valeron has surely affected Joaquin Caparros, but the Galicians have done themselves well with their latest run putting themselves on the verge of a European spot as we go down the stretch.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Barcelona: Ronaldinho: Easily the most influential player at one of the world’s best clubs. Though Eto’o bangs in the goals and the young Lionel Messi is becoming more and more a crucial part of the side, it’s Ronaldinho who Barca absolutely need. The vision, the creativity, and the desire of the world’s best player seems unmatched. Some may question the latter characteristic, but often underestimated is Ronaldinho’s motivation. Behind the goofy grin is the heart of a fighter who is constantly driving his team forward and with him Barcelona have that extra dimension that put them in a different class.
Deportivo:
Diego Tristan: The Andalucian born striker has had a quiet 2006, in fact his first goal of the New Year came only last weekend against Osasuna away. The strong frontman though is always a threat and that goal could signal a return to his normally prolific ways. 10 goals thus far is not a bad return on the season, but that should also be a warning to the rest of the clubs that Tristan will score more in the remainder of the season.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Barcelona TBA
Deportivo TBA
PREDICTION
A potentially tough one for Barcelona taking into account Deportivo’s rise in form and the fact that the Galicians now have something to fight for. That said, going against Barcelona at the moment is not a good idea and they should overcome Depor ahead of the Chelsea match. Prediction:
Barcelona 2 Deportivo 0
That's terrible.
