Match Report: Saturday 04/11/2006 22:00 (GMT +2): La Liga, Match Day 9
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA - FC BARCELONA 1:1 (0:1)

Estadio Riazor, La Coruna – Capacity: 34.600
Referee: Luis Medina Cantelejo


Goals:

0-1 Ronaldinho, pen. (39')
1-1 Juan Rodriguez (73')


Deportivo La Coruna (4-4-2): Aouate - Juanma, Lopo, Arbeloa, Capdevilla - Coloccini (Juan Rodriguez 46´), Sergio (Estoyanoff 67´), Verdu, Cristian - Riki (Adrian 67´), Arizmendi - Manager: Joaquín Caparrós


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés - Zambrotta, Márquez, Thuram (Oleguer 67´), Gio (Belletti 83´) - Iniesta, Edmilson, Deco - Messi, Saviola (Giuly 64´), Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Match Preview:

FC Barcelona was the first team this season that have not been beaten at Riazor by Deprotivo La Coruna but it was not enough to get away with all 3 points. A very disputable and late penalty earned Deportivo a point but their 100% home record has been destroyed by a tough battling FC Barcelona. Deportivo still keep the label of being unbeaten at home this season.
Ronaldinho had put Barca in front, also by a penalty, just 7 minutes before halftime. Finally, Barca probably lost 2 points but showed an encouraging team performance and can hook off this difficult encounter at Riazor of their away travel schedule. Deprotivo seems to be a real force at home this season and also other challengers for the title will have a difficult time at the Riazor.


The match preparations were overshadowed by the news of the death Carles Puyol's father and the Barca captain immediately returned home after landing in La Coruna to be with his family. The Barca officials, staff and players were in shock and refused any comments to the media.

The team played the game with balck armbands to show that they are with their captain in this difficult time. Uruguayan international Fabian Estoyanoff came on as a second half substitute and turned the game on its head, as Deportivo went from mediocre to sensational and turned the game around in the final thirty minutes.


Deportivo started strongly in the firsat minutes of the game, trying to attack and put Barca under pressure from the first minute. Despite a bright start of the opening period, La Coruna were unable to put the Barca goal under threat or even break down the Barça defence. But after a stormy opening period, it was Barca who took the control in midfield and set the pace. With 39 minutes played Javier Saviola, who made his first league start up front, was caught by Juanma and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Ronaldinho converted easily into the right low corner of the goal and after scoring he pointed to his captains armband, demonstarting that the team is with their real captain Puyol in this moment.
Deco could have doubled the lead with a strong shot from the edge of the penalty area but the shot went just wide at the far post of the goal.

Barca went into the half time break with a 1-0 lead and comfortably controlling the game.


In the second half the match began as the first half ended. Barca passing the ball in midfield, setting the pace of the game and trying to find the way to the Deprotivo goal. Andrés Iniesta had the biggest chance after a tremendous run through the Depor defence and into the area, before he was denied by the approaching La Coruna goalkeeper Dudu Aouate. But after 20 minutes into the second half the match changed. La Coruna´s coach made some significant tactical changes and brought on Uruguayan international Fabian Estoyanoff as a second half substitute. Estoyanoff had a big impact in turning the game upside down. While Barca was in control of more or less the entire match, Deportivo showed a sensational battle on the pitch and was pressing for the equalizer. The match turned into a very exciting encounter, moving fast from one goal to the other. Finally, Deportivo were awarded a very disputable penalty in the 73rd minute when Edmilson should have fouled former Barca midfielder Joan Verdu in front of the goal. Verdu shot at Victor Valdes who had no problem to save the effort and it was clear that Edmilson did not foul Verdu in this situation.
Depor hero of the day, Fabián Estoyanoff's, stepped up for the penalty but his low effort was saved by Víctor Valdes, but Juan Rodriguez was the quickest to convert the rebound. Valdes still touched the balls with his fingers but the ball went just next to the far post into the net.


The match was not over yet because both teams were out for the winner. Depor pressing forward and Barca counter attacking, mostly over Ronaldinho who moved ionto the center after Saviola had been substituted by Ludovic Giuly. Leo Messi and Giuly both had chances to score but former Barca B player Cristián Hidalgo came closest but sent his shot to the outside of the net from the angle.


My Comment:

After all, a promissing performance of the Barca team. Barça were unable to take all three points but considering the shock news prior to the match which definetely disturbed the preparation for the match and a 100% home record of Deportivo this season, the team achieved a well earned point in Riazor with an encouring hard battling performance.


I believe, Barca´s penalty can be given but Deportivo´s penalty was a joke. Still, I think that the share of the points is a fiar result looking at Deportivo´s willingness and efforts in the last 25 minutes. The match could have gone both ways and therefore I am not moaning about the point.


Barca does not return empty handed. We also know now, why Deportivo is difficult to beat at home. The fighting spirit and team effort make them a real force at home. Deportivo was the first team during the season that was not just sitting back and waiting for conter attacks, La Coruna very well wanted to attack Barca and win all 3 points.


tonight, we might lose the lead in the table but I am not that worried about this. First, other teams will leave points at Riazor and second, soon are the match days when all challengers, FC Sevilla, Real MAdrid and Valencia have to play each other and will lose points.
I personally believe the weeks ahead is one of the most important periods of the season. While Barca can add points to the tally, the challengers have to fight it out, who will be joining Barca at the top or in the best case scenario they all draw and all lose points at the top and Barca can build a margin.

Barca can tick off one of the most tricky away matches from their away match schedule and can look positively into the future.


Wins against Levski, then Werder Bremen in the Champions League and good results in La Primera Liga will make us a smile. In December we now, if the Champions League campaign goes on and where we stand in the table.
I am convinced the we reach the next round in Cl and we are at the top of the talble in La Liga. Let´s see...!