It was top against bottom at the Nou Camp on Saturday as Barcelona welcomed basement outfit Deportivo La Coruna.
Barcelona peppered the away side's goal in the first period, but left it until the 39th minute to take the lead, when Alexis Sanchez headed home from close range.
The home side dominated possession in the second period, with Lionel Messi adding their second in the final minute.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our penultimate live La Liga commentary of the weekend comes from Barcelona as the Catalan outfit welcome Deportivo. Well, the home side may sit top of the table, 11 points clear of Atletico Madrid, but it has been far from plain sailing in recent weeks. Try telling that to Deportivo, however, who have vast problems of their own.
Barcelona were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Real Madrid last week, before they lost 2-1 in the league match at the weekend. Their Champions League campaign has also suffered during that spell with a 2-0 defeat to AC Milan. It is hardly a crisis, but there is no question that the Catalan outfit have hit a poor run of form.
Deportivo, however, will not be too sympathetic. They have taken just one point from their last six matches to sit bottom of the table. They are eight points from safety with 12 matches to play. I suspect that they would be keen to have some of Barcelona’s problems. The fact that Depor have not won a single away match this season is another indication of their task this evening.
TEAMS:
BARCELONA: Pinto; Alves, Puyol, Mascherano, Adriano; Fabregas, Song, Thiago; Villa, Tello, Sanchez
DEPORTIVO: Aranzubia; Pablo, Aythami, Silvio, Insua' Valeron, Aguilar, Assuncao, Gama; Pizzi, Oliveira
Here we go then. Just a quick word on the main team news this evening. No Lionel Messi in the Barcelona starting side, but Cristian Tello does start. Deportivo, meanwhile, hand a rare spot to Nelson Oliveira in attack alongside Pizzi. Bruno Gama will once more operate from a deeper position. Right, the away side get the action underway.
Make no mistake about it, this is a big match for Barcelona. They may be top of the table by 11 points, but they have lost three of their last four matches. No Messi, Iniesta, Busquets and Pique this evening, but there is a still a strong side out there. Deportivo have problems of their own, however, as they sit eight points from safety.
It is important that the home side start quickly this evening in order to raise the crowd, who have been stunned in recent weeks. A reminder that Barcelona also have the second leg of their last-16 Champions League clash to come against AC Milan next week, they trail 2-0 from the first leg.
Barcelona continue to dominate the possession in the opening stages of this match with Song and Thiago prepared to join their forward players. Not too much for the home side to worry about down the other end, however, with Deportivo missing the presence of Riki. It is a big evening for Portuguese international Nelson Oliveira.
It's good work from Oliveira as the striker darts down the left before driving into the Barcelona box, but Puyol is across to clear at the vital moment. In many ways, this is an audition for many of Barcelona's squad players to say 'pick me' for the clash against Milan. However, the Catalan outfit have not created a meaningful effort on goal inside the opening eight minutes.
Alves is involved for Barcelona as the Brazilian collects a long pass from Song before driving a low cross into the box, but Manuel Pablo is across to clear the danger. Plenty of experience in this Deportivo side with the likes of Valeron and Assuncao, but you worry where their goal-threat is coming from this evening.
There is almost a nervousness among the Barcelona players this evening with each pass just slightly short. The crowd are doing their best to raise the spirits, but this is not the Barcelona of earlier in the season. That said, they are utterly dominating the possession here.
Half-decent bench for the home side this evening with Messi, Pique, Iniesa, Busquets, Pedro and Alba on the sidelines. That would make quite a good six-a-side team wouldn't it? Not too much to shout about from the players on the pitch, with Barcelona dominating possession without really threatening to open up this Deportivo defence.
Just as I say that a half-chance arrives for the home side as Alves ghosts into the penalty area before striking a low effort towards goal, but Aranzubia is across to make the save. Depor attempt to break with Gama, but the Portuguese runs down a blind ally. The away side will be pleased with their opening 16 minutes of this match.
Another half-chance comes to the home side as Fabregas beats the offside trap before collecting a pass from Alves, but the Spaniard can only fire his effort over the crossbar. That is some chance for a player of his ability. It is almost silent in the Camp Nou as this first period begins to gather some serious pace.
CHANCE! Glorious opportunity for the home side as Tello gathers possession in the box before rounding the goalkeeper, but Aranzubia just manages to come back and make the save. That should have been the opening goal. Real pressure building with 20 minutes on the clock.
Barcelona may be heading for a league title this season, but there is no question that the supporters will be disappointed if that is the only trophy that they claim this season. That is the harsh reality of being part of this football club. They really need a strong win this evening ahead of the key clash with Milan next week.
CHANCE! Another fine chance for the home side as Adriano finds Villa in the penalty area, but Silvio is across to make a stunning challenge at the vital moment. Barcelona should be ahead there is no question about that. However, Depor hold on to fight another day.
POST! Barcelona continue to pepper the Deportivo goal as Tello strikes from close range, but Aranzubia gets down low to push the effort onto the post. Depor are really hanging on at the moment. They simply cannot keep possession as the home side continue to threaten.
DOUBLE CHANCE! Oh my good grief! Two stunning chances for the home side. Firstly for Villa as the striker advances into the box, but he strikes straight at the goalkeeper before Tello follows suit moments later. Just incredible scenes here.
It is almost like watching a training match at the moment as Barcelona continue to pass and probe outside the penalty area, but they just cannot find the back of the net. Villa is again involved as he strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always rising over the crossbar. Somehow the score remains 0-0.
Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining and the score is still level at the Camp Nou. It has been just about as one-sided as you could ever possibly imagine, but the Depor goalkeeper has kept his side in it thus far. However, I would be astounded if the opening goal did not come before the interval.
Half-chance for the away side to create something as Thiago plays a pass straight to Valeron, but the midfielder is immediately surrounded by two defenders. Villa has a strike from distance down the other end, but Aranzubia is on hand to collect the danger. The Camp Nou is almost silent at the moment as the home supporters await the opening goal of the evening.
Barcelona continue to pass and probe outside the penalty area with Song the only midfielder behind the ball, but it as a case of too many cooks as Thiago attempts a pass towards Tello, but the danger is cleared. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
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Another chance comes and goes for the home side as Thiago fires a searching cross into the box, but there are no takers as it moves out for a throw. Deportivo just cannot get out of their own half at the moment, however, with each clearance coming back with interest. Fascinating encounter between top and bottom in La Liga.
First bit of real quality from the away side as Valeron combines with Oliveira before attempting to return the favour, but Puyol is across to clear at the vital moment. Counter attack on now...
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Deportivo (Sanchez)
Barcelona eventually find the breakthrough five minutes before the interval as Sanchez thumps an effort into the back of the net from close range. Almost another fine save from the Depor goalkeeper, but the Chilean was on hand to fire home.
It's cruel on the away side, but it had been coming. The only surprise is that this match is not over already. That goal was just settled everyone in the stadium as Alves has another strike from distance, but Insua is across to clear the danger at the vital moment.
Half-chance for Pizzi to level the scores as the Portuguese strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. As expected, Barcelona have utterly dominated the possession, but the score remains just 1-0 as the first period draws to an end.
Half-chance for Villa to add his side's second moments before the interval as the Spaniard meets a cross from Sanchez, but he can only fire his effort wide of the goal. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of football at the end of the half.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 1-0 Deportivo
So there we have it. The home side lead 1-0 at the interval courtesy of a header from Sanchez after 39 minutes, but this match should already been over. It must be said that Aranzubia has been just stunning in the Depor goal thus far.
STATISTICS: The home side have dominated the possession with 30%, while they have had nine attempts to the away side's two. It has been just about as one-sided as you could possibly imagine, with Deportivo struggling to string a pass together let alone create a shooting chance.
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BENCH WATCH: Well, I have certainly seen worse benches. The home side have the likes of Messi, Iniesta and Pedro as attacking options, while Depor have Jesus Vasquez and Ayoze, who could make an impact. It remains to be seen whether any changes will be made at the break.
As it stands, Barcelona would move 14 points clear at the top of the table, while Depor would remain eight points from safety. I do not like to speak too soon, just look at QPR in the Premier League, but it is difficult to see them emerging unscathed from the bottom three.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. No changes for either side at the interval which is perhaps not too surprising at this stage of the match. Just a reminder that following the completion of this match we have action from Mallorca against Sevilla. The home side get the half underway.
I suspect that the home side will want to get this match tied up as soon as possible, but Depor might have something to say about that. It is important that the basement outfit still in the match for the next 10 or so minutes. Otherwise it could get very nasty at the Camp Nou.
Half-chance for Barcelona in the early stages of the second half as he advances down the right before whipping a dangerous cross into the box, but it was never troubling the Depor defence. Normal service has been resumed with the home side utterly dominating the possession. They are without Messi, but some things never change.
The away side attempt to create a chance of their own as Oliveira combines with Pizzi before driving into the box, but the Portuguese just cannot sort out his feet at the final moment. It is such a difficult task for the Depor forward men this evening. But they have to keep believing that once chance will arrive.
Another half-chance comes to the home side as Alves stands up a cross towards Villa, but Insua comes across to make a fine clearance. The resulting corner is poor, however, as Thiago fires straight into the goalkeeper's arms. Messi is being put through his paces at the moment. Will we see the Argentine in the latter stages of the match?
Barcelona continue to utterly dominate the possession in and around the Deportivo penalty area, but the away side are quite comfortable at the moment. I say comfortable, as comfortable as you can be when losing at the Camp Nou. Just about 35 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining.
The final pass just lets Barcelona down once more as Alves spots Tello, but the Spaniard cannot find Fabregas in a tight area. Meanwhile, the match has just become slightly scrappy in the last couple of moments with the referee called into action to deal with a number of challenges.
Depor continue to defend their penalty area well as Silvio wins the battle against Tello. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in this match. For the neutral, a Deportivo goal at this stage would open up the match nicely. As it stands, Barcelona are on course to add another couple of goals. I would back a 3-0 win at this stage.
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Tiredness will certainly become a factor for Depor in the latter stages of this match as they continue to chase shadows. They have worked very well this evening, but have never looked capable of scoring. Pizzi attempts to change that as he advances into the Barcelona half, but Puyol makes the challenge.
Depor make their first change of the match as Valeron is replaced by Camunas. Meanwhile, the home side also make a change as a certain Argentine comes on to replace Villa. I think his name is Messi? He is supposed to be quite good. He has 25 minutes to make an impact here.
Pizzi thinks he has a half-chance inside the penalty area as he seemingly beats the offside trap, but the linesman raises his flag at the vital moment. That is just about the closest they have come. They have to keep believing that they can create one chance, as Insua clears an Alves across down the other end.
Alves is again involved for the home side as he collects a pass from Song before firing a low cross into the box, but the Depor goalkeeper is out to collect. Aranzubia attempts to release Pizzi on the counter, but it comes back with interest as Messi almost finds the run of Tello.
Barcelona make their second change of the match as Iniesta comes on to replace Thiago. The young Spaniard has been impressive once more, aside from a couple of loose passes. Depor still have two changes should they so wish. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and the two sides are separated by just the one goal.
Not too much from Messi since the little Argentine entered the field, but I suspect that he will make his mark by the time the match is over. Depor have just started to open up in the last couple of moments, but their quality in the final third has been lacking all evening. But at 1-0, there is still a chance.
Depor make their second change of the match as Salomao replaces Oliveira, who has just struggled this evening. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining. Barcelona are in control, but there is always a chance that Deportivo can create something late on. Will there be a major upset here?
Messi has the ball in the back of the net as he thumps home from close range, but the linesman raises his flag at the vital moment. Another fine save from Aranzubia in the build-up with the Depor goalkeeper saving from Iniesta. Meanwhile, it appears that Busquets will soon join us.
Busquets does indeed enter the field in place of Fabregas. The home side are certainly not taking any chances. Depor will soon make their final change of the match. Will we have late drama in the final 10 minutes of this match? Real sense of nervousness around the Camp Nou as things stand.
The change is indeed made as Assuncao is replaced by Juan Dominguez. One thing is for certain, Barcelona will have to play much better against Milan next week then they have this evening. It appears that the one goal will be enough to extend their lead at the top of the La Liga table.
Little over five minutes of action to play and just one goal remains the difference. The two sides played out a nine-goal thriller in the early stages of the season, but it has been a tight contest this evening. Depor must be praised for their performance and it could yet get better. Will we have late drama here?
Song becomes the latest Barcelona player to have his name taken for a challenge on Gama. The resulting free kick is whipped into the penalty area by Pizzi, but it was always too long. Pinto finally gets a bit of the action as he takes a goal kick. Little over four minutes of football remaining at the Camp Nou.
Half-chance for Messi to add his side's second as he meets a cross from Alves, but for once he scuffs his shot. He is human! Barcelona continue to pass and probe outside the penalty area, but once more the move breaks down at the final moment. Almost silence in the stadium as the match draws to a close.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Deportivo (Messi)
Stunning from the home side as Messi advances into the penalty area before chipping his effort over the onrushing goalkeeper. Wonderful finish from the Argentine.
Another move breaks down at the final moment, however, as Messi attempts to find Tello, but Insua is across to clear. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 2-0 Deportivo
So there we have it. Far from vintage from the home side, but they pick up another three points. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and remain with us for Mallorca against Sevilla. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
