Depressing game at the Riazor, Barca still fall short

The game on Saturday, league leaders Real Madrid visiting the Riazor to play Deportivo who were at 12th position looked a difficult game for Real to take all 3 points. For some reason everyone has written off the fact that Barca could catch up with Real Madrid. Real have been fortunate to have a superb few month till the winter break which has helped him get here. Though the indifferent form after January and the injury worries have even brought Barca close to 2 points from Real, but again the roller coaster ride got the gap up to 8 points.

Schuster finally decided to give chances to some of the second choice players. Robinho, Baptista and Marcelo were rested. Cannavaro and Pepe in the center of defense, it was Torres at RB and Heinze at LB. Diarra in the holding role. Sneijder who made a strong substitute appearance last week was starting along side Guti. Drenthe was on the left wing and Raul the captain was joined by Soldado who was getting a rare start. Soldado who spent last season on loan at Osasuna was recalled back, offered a full contract and he ends up having no playing time, apart from some 5 minute appearances. It is almost the same with Saviola who came in from Barca last season on a free transfer, who has not made any positive contribution, with a fair share of injuries also being a reason for it. With Van Nistelrooy just getting back to full fitness, Schuster finally decided to give some playing time to the reserve players.

Unfortunately for Soldado and the entire Madrid team, Deportivo was not playing for anything and not only that they did not want Madrid to score. The first 45 minutes was to show what Madrid are up against. Deportivo were defending so deep playing 3 center defenders, and the wing backs making no attacking contributions, Madrid midfield was doing extremely well passing the ball around, but neither Guti nor Sneijder was able to produce the killer ball into the strikers Raul and Soldado. Heinze was making some valuable contributions on the left and was trying a few crosses. Real were having 70% of the possession but Deportivo did not care to win the midfield battle as the strikers were not getting any service and though both Raul and Soldado were tracking back to midfield nothing was happening for the league leaders. 0-0 at half time.

On resuming both teams showed a bit of more attacking flair, but Deportivo were lucky to go ahead. On 56 minutes Felipe got past Torres and as he was crossing in the ball inside the Real box, it hit Pepe's out stretched leg and was well placed into his own net. The 30 M defender has been superb whenever he has played. He was superb in the match till that point of time too. The Portuguese player who was not making any mistakes, suddenly a hand ball penalty against Lazio, a red card against Roma and now an own goal against Deportivo, i just hope he gets over these mistakes and does not become a repeat of Woodgate. 1-0 Deportivo.

Schuster seeing the game slipping with the Deportivo goal against the run of play, he introduced Robinho for Drenthe and Higuain for Soldado. Things hardly changed Real were still having the ball but Deportivo were not letting them into their box. There were some oooohs and aaahhhs when Sneijder surprised everyone with a long range shot and some Set pieces and corners bouncing around in the Deportivo box. Unfortunately it was not Real Madrid's day as the game ended 1-0 for Deportivo.

Schuster said after the game that a draw would have been a fair result. Real were unlucky to get out of the Riazor with nothing. Real are showing some good flow to their play especially in midfield with the return of Sneijder. Valencia would be at the Bernabeu next week and Van Nistelrooy is expected to be back. A Madrid offense which a few weeks back scored 7 goals against Valladolid have been struggling to score goals since.

On Sunday Barca visited Almeria, the team for their first season in top flight is in the 9th position and brought Real's unbeaten run a few weeks back. Either Barca have given up on their hopes for catching up with Real or they seriously miss Messi. They looked creative and the young Bojan scored after the keeper parried straight into his path from a shot from Iniesta. Pulido headed in un marked from a corener and a superb save from Victor Valdes ensured it would stay 1-1 at half time. Eto scored to put Barca ahead in the 57 th minute. Milito was sent off in the later part of the second half and Almeria striker Uche created another twist in the tale with a late equalizer.

Barca lost out on an opportunity to cut down the lead by 5 points but as the case maybe its still at 7 points now. With 10 games left in the La liga, Barca really need a miracle without Messi and have Villareal who are right behind them 2 points less. Real need Van Nistelrooy back for the goals. The next game against Valencia could be a turning point in the league.