Deportivo vs. Barcelona: Score and Reaction from 2017 La Liga Match

Barcelona suffered their first La Liga defeat since October on Sunday after twice falling behind at Deportivo La Coruna en route to a 2-1 defeat at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan, where Neymar was rested for the guests.

Manager Pepe Mel's side struck first as Joselu gave the hosts a 1-0 lead at half-time in rainy conditions, and Alex Bergantinos followed up with a 74th-minute winner following Luis Suarez's equaliser after the break.

In their first league outing since completing a historic comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, manager Luis Enrique's men looked shaky in their return to domestic action.

Football writer Alexandra Jonson noted La Liga veteran Mel is making a fine job of his recent appointment at Depor, with Barca but the latest big name to add to his collection of recent victims:

Barca opened Sunday's showdown with their usual glut of possession, with Sergi Roberto impressing in a midfield role days after his injury-time strike against PSG pushed Barca through in the Champions League.

But Deportivo looked prepared for the challenge they knew would be meeting them at the Riazor, with midfielders Celso Borges and Bergantinos set up to prevent their counterparts from building in the final third.

The heavens opened over the Riazor midway through the first half as both teams were forced to alter tactics in a bid to counteract the conditions, and it was Depor who appeared to cope better in the elements.

Joselu affirmed that improvement when Barcelona failed to deal with a corner, and the Spaniard was on hand to beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen from close range, continuing his trend in La Liga of firing past big opponents: 

Deportivo managed to see out the remainder of the half with a one-goal advantage in tow, but the nature of their opposition—not to mention their recent trend of comebacks—meant there was no room for comfort.

And whatever Enrique said to his men at the break worked wonders as it took Suarez just 58 seconds of the second half to equalise and continue his prolific record against this particular enemy, per Spanish daily Marca:

But despite what Barca's quick restart might have suggested, the goal onslaught the away team desired didn't materialise, and Mel's men were able to gather their thoughts and once again hold their foes at bay.

Clear-cut chances were somewhat difficult to materialise for Depor, but captain Bergantinos ensured their set pieces counted for something after he beat Jordi Alba in the air to nod his side back in front with only 15 minutes remaining:

The midfielder rose high at the back post from a corner as Ter Stegen scrambled to keep his attempt clear, but Barca were left with their head in their hands as Depor succeeded in their smash-and-grab assault. 

As evidenced by Sky Sports Statto, this isn't the first time Bergantinos has hurt Barca, either:

Striker Paco Alcacer made his way on as a late substitution for the visitors as Denis Suarez made way, but Enrique was perhaps made to pay for making too many changes to his XI in the end.

Enrique's men are now at risk of losing their lead atop La Liga as Real Madrid, a point below and having now played two games fewer than the Blaurgrana, prepare to host Real Betis later on Sunday evening.

For Barca, meanwhile, next Sunday's home clash against Valencia has just become all the more important a fixture, with the Champions League quarter-finalists hoping to bounce back from their first league loss in five months.

Post-Match Reaction

Octavio Passos/Getty Images

Away defeat to an opponent that sat one place above La Liga's bottom three coming into this match was hardly the result Barca will have wanted, but players were eager to look upon the bright side after Sunday's result.

Centre-back Gerard Pique led the positivity-spinning and used Wednesday's Champions League triumph over PSG as cause to be upbeat, suggesting the Blaugrana's priorities rest in European competition, per ESPN's Richard Martin:

Team-mate Luis Suarez sent out a similar sentiment, although his comments related more to rescuing any La Liga title hopes regardless of the result:

Real Madrid will undoubtedly be overjoyed with Barca's defeat, a result that promises to give them even more motivation to impress in their evening clash at home to Betis on Sunday.