Barcelona vs. Deportivo La Coruna: 5 Things We Learned

Recent defeats against Real Madrid and AC Milan were swept under the table in Barcelona's win over Deportivo La Coruna.

The home side fielded a much-changed side with Tuesday's Champions League tie against Milan in mind, but managed to avoid edging their recent slump towards a crisis.

Dani Aranzubia initially looked to be on a one-man mission before Alexis Sanchez's header eventually gave Barca a half time lead.

Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta were introduced in the second half and it was the former who added Barca's second of the night late on.

It was the Argentinian's 40th league goal of the season and the 17th straight La Liga game that he has scored in.

That aside, here are some other talking points from Saturday night's match.

Barca Can Keep a Clean Sheet

Their lead at the top extended to 14 points with Saturday night's win but it is something else which will please Barcelona much more.

It was January 10 that they last managed to keep a clean sheet.

Tonight, after conceding in 13 consecutive matches, they managed to keep one again.

Carles Puyol and Javier Mascherano may have been the partnership in central defense and Pinto may have been the goalkeeper, but that shouldn't matter.

The most important thing was that they managed to shake off an unwanted run which was becoming more than just a talking point, it was a real concern.

Now the small problem of needing another one in three days time when AC Milan fly in.

Thiago Presses His Case for Milan

In a much-changed midfield alongside Arsenal old boys Alex Song and Cesc Fabregas, Thiago Alcantara shone the brightest.

With Xavi out of the visit of Milan on Tuesday, the 21-year-old will have every reason to be hopeful of being included in the starting lineup.

From this sublime bit of skill, to his touch, technique and passing, the Spanish international showed why he is so highly rated.

In the first half, he was particularly sensational—Andres Iniesta replaced him after 67 minutes—as Barca bombarded Deportivo La Coruna, as this infographic from @barcastuff demonstrates:

"

Infographic: Passes completed by Thiago in the first half twitpic.com/c9zy4j [via @barcafamilyy] #fcblive

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) March 9, 2013"

Deportivo Are Still Going Down

This is hardly something that was learnt on Saturday night truth be told.

Deportivo La Coruna were never likely to get a result at Camp Nou and the fact they didn't just further pushes them towards an immediate Segunda return..

They remain four points behind second-to-bottom Mallorca but more importantly are still eight points away from safety.

Worse still is that one of the two sides who occupy the spaces immediately above the drop zone will pick up points on Monday as Real Zaragoza play Granada.

Things could be tasty when they entertain fellow relegation-dwellers Celta Vigo in next weekend's Galician derby.

They're then away to Mallorca and home to Zaragoza.

David Villa Disappoints

David Villa may have expected to add to his tally of 12 goals for the season against Deportivo La Coruna, but when he was replaced by Lionel Messi after the hour he'd failed to do so.

And when he casts his mind back over his performance, one big chance will flash up time and time again.

The big moment should have been in the 24th minute when, one on one, he failed to beat Dani Aranzubia to give Barcelona the lead.

When he departed in the second half, he had failed to display that spark which many felt was missing against AC Milan and then Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey.

To add insult to injury, it was Alexis Sanchez who opened the scoring/got the winner to propel himself back into the management's thoughts ahead of Tuesday night.

Pinto Becomes Barca's Oldest La Liga Player

He hadn't played in the league at all this season, but on Saturday night Pinto started for Barcelona with Victor Valdes suspended.

With that start between the sticks, Barca's No. 2 'keeper broke a record.

At 37-years-old and 121 days he became the oldest player ever to play for La Blaugrana in La Liga.

Jose Ramon Alexanko (37 years and 32 days) had been the previous record holder. The central defender ended his playing career at Barcelona in 1993.