Barcelona – Returns and Absences
Barcelona won 2-0 away to Los Blancos on Saturday night following goals from Lionel Messi and Pedro, and fortunately for them, these two aces are eligible for this evening’s game. The major problem for the Catalans now is the ruling-out of midfielder Andres Iniesta.
The Spaniard has again been diagnosed with an injury which could – this time – keep him in the doctors’ room for up to a month. More precisely, Iniesta suffered a hamstring injury just after having recovered from a 2-week injury which he had obtained earlier on.
"He is sad and down,” said Manager Pep Guardiola on Andres Iniesta. “We want him back as soon as possible, and let us hope we can take him to the final (of the Champions League) at the Bernabeu.
"He trains morning and evening and he takes his profession as seriously as anyone. He doesn't deserve this sad thing.''
Barcelona will therefore have to organize their midfield in a complicated way once again, but luckily, their defender Eric Abidal could be declared ready for the game after an injury. Nevertheless, striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic might be asked to wait with patience on the bench while he recovers in time for the Champions League super clash against Inter Milan.
Barcelona - Cautious or Confident?
The last games of Barcelona in all competitions have giving their fans the opportunity to feel confident ahead of their game against the Blanquiazules tonight. Barca face Deportivo in today’s late match, but they could face an upset which would eventually turn into a helping hand to Real Madrid, who get into action tomorrow evening.
"It is a ridiculous advantage,” affirmed Guardiola while speaking about Barcelona’s three-point gap at the top of La Liga. “One instant, one slip, and Madrid will catch us.”
"We have still not achieved anything. We have to go and win the title ourselves, and we won't stop fighting.''
Deportivo La Coruna – The Miserable Run
Deportivo La Coruna, on the other side, have been going under a negative 5 weeks. They have got only a single point of their possible 15.
In their last 5 games
Deportivo La Coruna suffered a 2-0 loss at home to Valladolid on March 20, before obtaining a 2-1 defeat three days after; away to Sporting Gijon. The Turcos then underwent a bitter punishment from Getafe who crushed them 3-1 on March 28 at the Estadio Razor.
Deportivo went 3-0 down this month away to Atletico Madrid in front of 50,000 fans, and they could only manage a 1-1 draw at the weekend when they met Racing Santander. They play away to Barcelona tonight, and they can thus use this match to show their determination to progress in La Liga.
"We have to leave the Nou Camp with our work done and end with our heads held high, conscious that we have played a good game,” said midfield Sergio Gonzalez. "But the result, luckily, is the least important thing, because we know we are playing against a team in a very sweet moment.''
Players
Players from Deportivo La Coruna likely to miss the match are: Filipe Luis, Rodolfo Bodipo, Brayan Angulo, Juca, and Mista; as they have been kept out of action following injuries. Ze Castro could also skip this game against Barcelona, as he travels to attend a family issue.
La Liga Standings (Top 5) – April 14, 2010
Barcelona – 80 points
Real Madrid – 77 points
Valencia – 56 points
Sevilla – 51 points
Mallorca – 51 points
