Deportivo vs. Barcelona: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
Barcelona will take to the field for the first time since their astounding UEFA Champions League comeback on Sunday at the Riazor, as they seek to extend their lead atop La Liga with three points on the road against Deportivo La Coruna.
The Blaugrana somehow made it past Paris Saint-Germain 6-5 on aggregate in midweek, recovering from a 4-0 first-leg deficit to make it into the quarter-finals. Sergi Roberto's winner in the 95th minute capped one of the most dramatic matches in the club's history.
But manager Luis Enrique will need to refocus his team, as they look to put a four-point deficit between themselves and rivals Real Madrid on Sunday, who play later in the day. Barcelona lead the title race by one point heading into this weekend, although they have played a game more than Los Blancos.
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Here are all the crucial details ahead of what promises to be an absorbing afternoon in Galicia and a look at how the match will likely pan out.
Date: Sunday, March 12
Time: 3:15 p.m. (GMT)/10:15 a.m. (ET)
TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), beIN Sports (U.S.)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), beIN Sports Connect (U.S.)
Team News
Deportivo la Coruna: New Deportivo boss Pepe Mel has some injury issues to deal with, with midfielder Guilherme unlikely to recover in time for the visit of the champions. Wingers Marlos Moreno and Gael Kakuta are also poised to miss this one.
Likely XI: German Lux; Juanfran, Alejandro Arribas, Sidnei, Luisinho; Celso Borges, Pedro Mosquera; Carles Gil, Emre Colak, Faycal Fajr; Florin Andone
Barcelona: Following on from such a breathless game in midweek, it would be no surprise to see Luis Enrique make some alterations to his XI. Aleix Vidal and Jeremy Mathieu are both set to miss the match, though.
Likely XI: Marc-Andre ter Stegen; Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Samuel Umtiti; Sergi Roberto, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar
Team news courtesy of Transfermarkt.
Match Preview
Barcelona's trophy haul in Luis Enrique's last season in charge of the club looked to be limited to two before the second leg of their clash with PSG. But, somewhat remarkably, once again the Blaugrana have the three biggest prizes to play for.
And if this team was in need of a momentum boost ahead of an enthralling run-in in La Liga, their 6-1 win over PSG, and the manner in which they put the comeback together, should prove to be exactly that.
As we can see here courtesy of BT Sport Football, at the final whistle, there were scenes of untamed jubilation from those in Blaugrana colours:
While Roberto grabbed the headlines thanks to his dramatic winner, it was Neymar who took the game by the scruff of the neck and thrust Barcelona into the next round.
The goals haven't flowed too freely for the Brazilian this season, and there have been times when he's cut a frustrated figure out on the left flank. However, he was simply stunning against the French outfit, winning the penalty for the third Barca goal, scoring the fourth and fifth and then setting up the sixth with a delightful pass.
Bleacher Report UK broke down what was an inspired performance from the 25-year-old sensation:
The hope for those tied to Barcelona is that Neymar can carry this kind of form into the remaining weeks of the season. If he does, the Blaugrana have an excellent chance of finishing the campaign with their second treble in the last three campaigns.
However, it would be unwise for the Catalan giants to look past Deportivo, the team who previously held the record for the biggest turnaround in the Champions League over two legs.
Indeed, following a rotten run of form that has seen Deportivo slide towards the bottom three, the club's hierarchy decided to take drastic action. They opted to sack Gaizka Garitano and replace him with Mel; so far, the former Real Betis and West Bromwich Albion boss has had a positive impact, per Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC:
With just five points separating Deportivo from the bottom three, they have to continue picking up results, regardless of the opposition.
Mel has them organised, working hard and battling for the cause once again, as is evidenced by two draws and a win from his first three games in charge. However, a confident and in-form Barcelona team will simply be far too strong on Sunday.
Prediction: Deportivo 0-3 Barcelona
