Victor Sanchez’s Deportivo host Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid at the Estadio Riazor on Saturday. Incidentally, the last time these two sides faced each other, it was Zidane’s first game in-charge as Real Madrid head coach after succeeding Rafael Benitez. Madrid beat Depor 5-0 courtesy a Gareth Bale hat trick and a Karim Benzema brace. This match is of great importance for Los Blancos, as a win today would give them a great chance to win their 33rd La Liga title.
Barcelona are currently one point ahead with a better head-to-head, which means Real have to rely on either Barca losing or drawing the game, with Los Galacticos winning the match. Deportivo, on the other hand, have very little to play for having secured safety from being relegated to the Segunda division. The Blancos haven’t won the league since Jose Mourinho was their manager. They had won the league with a record 100 points and the highest goals being scored in a league season. A loss today would guarantee Barca the title regardless of their result. Real Madrid also take part in the Champions League final against fierce cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid later in the month.
Also Read: Zinedine Zidane denies knowing anything about "third party bonuses"
Depor are coming off a 2-0 win away to Villarreal, a place where Real Madrid had lost this season. The home side though have hit a dry patch as they have only one win in their last seven league games, that too their last match.
On the flipside, Real Madrid are enjoying a tremendous run of form having won 11 games on the trot. They are also in the Champions League final. Thus, the players would want to win both the competitions to end the season on a high note. Real Madrid have reached the finals of the Champions League twice in three seasons.
Goalkeepers Fabri and German Lux are out of the squad due to injuries. Fabri been sidelined since the start of the Liga and will miss out the final game too. Defender Manuel Pablo is also out of the match due to a hamstring injury and midfielder Juan Dominguez is also ruled out of the fixture.
Also read: Real Madrid supporters club attacked by terrorists in Iraq
Lucas Vazquez is the only player injured for Madrid with Keylor Navas, Pepe and Luka Modric, all coming back to the lineup having missed out on their thrilling win over Valencia.
The last time Deportivo hosted Real, they were thumped by a score line of 8-2 with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick and Bale getting a brace.
The Madrid based club are having the most important time of their lives, as they are in the Champions League final and have a realistic chance of winning the La Liga title. They play Depor the same time Barca play Granada, so it will be an intense moment for the coaches of both La Liga giants.
Deportivo La Coruna vs Real Madrid, 2015-16: La Liga: Live streaming Details
Television Channel: AXN HD
Online Stream: Sony Liv
Date: 14 May 2016, Saturday
Time: 8:30 PM (IST)
Venue: Estadio Riazor
