FC Barcelona revived their hopes to seal a 23rd La Liga title with an 8-0 annihilation of Deportivo de La Coruna at the Estadio Riazor.
Barcelona’s manager Luis Enrique went into this match under tremendous pressure, with his side failing to pick up points in their past three league matches. He made two changes to the side that was humiliated at home by Valencia. Marc Bartra stepped in for the suspended Gerard Pique while Dani Alves replaced Sergi Roberto at right-back.
Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez scored four times and assisted thrice as the Blaugrana halted their losing streak to three matches in style. Deportivo looked in no mood to give Barcelona a run for their money as the Galicians looked nowhere as lively as their opponents.
Here are five talking points from the game:
Lethal Luis Suarez
Barcelona’s number 9 Luis Suarez went into the game having failed to score in three league games in a row and he couldn’t have found a better time to end his goal drought. The Uruguayan forward tormented the Deportivo defense throughout the ninety minutes as he found the net four times and set his teammates up thrice.
It seemed as if there was no one who could stop the controversial striker. The ex-Liverpool forward took the mick out of defenders with his pacy dribbles and linked up with his teammates, thanks to his exceptional vision.
Apart from the talent and abilities that Suarez naturally possesses, the striker showed hunger for excellence and victory.
Barcelona back to their old selves
The Spanish Leaders were back in business as they managed to find the back of the net eight times, with Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Lionel Messi, Neymar and even Marc Bartra getting on the score-sheet. All the sublime passing, piercing runs, accurate finishing and intelligent positioning clearly suggested that Luis Enrique’s men have found their old form again.
The second goal of the game probably showcased Barcelona at their best. Iniesta found Messi at the edge of the Deportivo box, who unleashed Suarez with a gorgeous no-look flick.
Suarez took care of the rest, slotting the ball past the Deportivo keeper Manuel Fernandez Muniz with ease. Luis Enrique’s men showed great versatility and creativity in the final third as they strategically dismantled the Deportivo defense time and again.
Defensive fortress
Even without their main centre-back Gerard Pique, Barcelona’s defense looked impermeable on the eve. Full-backs Jordi Alba and Dani Alves made overlapping forward runs, expanding options in attack for the team. But at the same time, they showed great defensive awareness as they tracked back and made a set of crucial tackles and interceptions, keeping the pressure on the Branquiazuis.
Deportivo had a couple of opportunities of their own right after they conceded the first goal, but the Galician side’s Costa Rican midfielder Celso Borges made a mess out of both the chances, leaving his teammates fuming with frustration.
Apart from the two chances that Deportivo created in the beginning of the game, Barcelona’s line of defense looked rock solid with none of the home side’s players creating any real problems for Claudio Bravo.
Winless streak continues for Deportivo
Deportivo de La Coruna are now without a win in their last 4 matches and have won only one of their last 17 matches. The Galicians have become known as draw specialists, with 17 ties from their last 34 fixtures so far.
Despite conceding two early goals, Deportivo did show some promise as they created a couple of chances of their own in the first half. But things just went downhill for Victor Sanchez’s after the second half began as they conceded six times and failed to find the back of the net themselves.
The Galicians failed to make the most out of Barcelona’s recent lapse as they couldn’t capitalize on opportunities. Deportivo now sit 14th in the table, 9 points clear of the drop zone.
MSN back to their best again
It was a good day for Barcelona’s attacking trio as each of the forwards managed to get on the scoresheet. Suarez ran riot as he slotted home four times while also setting up Messi and Neymar in the latter half of the game.
Neymar struggled initially, but gradually the Brazilian found his way back into the game as he set up Suarez for the fifth goal of the evening. The ex-Santos forward also bagged a goal to his name towards the end of the match.
Five-time world player of the year Lionel Messi was back to his magisterial self as he set up Suarez twice with delightful through balls and himself got off the mark in the second half with an accurately placed finish.
