Spanish La Liga: Deportivo vs Barcelona – First Half Report (Part 1)
Barcelona were to travel to Deportivo for their next Spanish La Liga fixture. Deportivo were all set to entertain the table toppers of the Spanish league and like it is famous between the two teams that it “always rains” whenever they face each other in
Municipal de Riazor, it was raining before this game as well. Josep Guardiola praised his opponents before the game during a press conference and said that he has been watching them since the start of the season and they have shown great form this time around.
However, the Spanish coach made changes in his team and did not play his favourites against Deportivo.
The Barcelona number 1 Victor Valdes played between the two poles. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carles-Puyol-c8331 were played together as both of them did not start together while playing against Athletic Club for the Spanish Cup fixture. The Brazilian full back Adriano
featured on the right flank as the Frenchman Eric Abidal featured on the left. Andres Iniesta finally made a return to the first team after missing out the game against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Athletic-Club-c38535. He was assisted by Javier Mascherano and Seydou Keita in the midfield. Up
front, Josep Guardiola did not take any chances and played http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Villa-c10629 and Pedro Rodriguez so they can find the back of the net. Xavi Hernandez was rested and a static changed things round for the La Blaugrana as they have only managed to win
56% of their games in recent past without the midfield maestro.
On the other hand, Aranzubia featured between the two poles for Miguel Angel Lotina’s side. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Laure-c21726 featured at the back to defend against any La Blaugrana attack. It was a five-man midfield that was being
played by the home team to outnumber Josep Guardiola’s team in the midfield. Yves Desmarets and Antonio Tomas featured as holding midfielders. Juan Dominguez and Rubin Perez featured on the flanks as Saul took the attacking midfield position. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adrián-c3701 was left
alone up front as the “sole striker.”
The game started off with rain pouring down at the La Coruna. The home team tried to keep the possession of the ball. However, Javier Mascherano forced Yves Desmarets to play a long ball towards Adrian which was well taken by Victor Valdes as Barcelona won
the goal kick. After that goal kick, the game slowed down even though the pitch looked to be very quick and slippery because of the wet surface.
The home team were charging in towards the Barcelona players to maintain possession in the midfield. However, they were finding it hard to go through two holding midfielders that were being played by Josep Guardiola – http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Seydou-Keita-c33177.
Continued in Part 2...
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