Newly-crowned Spanish champions Barcelona welcomed relegation-threatened Deportivo La Coruna to the Camp Nou for their final game of the La Liga season on Saturday.
Lionel Messi handed Barca a fifth-minute lead and at the break, Deportivo were heading for the Segunda Division due to other results in Spain's top flight.
Messi scored a second just before the hour mark, but Depor came roaring back, with goals from Lucas Perez and Diogo Salomao levelling the scores at 2-2 with 15 minutes remaining.
Deportivo remained in the league due to their superior head-to-head record over Eibar.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Well, it has been another enthralling La Liga campaign and the 2014/15 season draws to a close tonight. Barcelona have already been confirmed as the league champions following their victory at Atletico Madrid last week, but this game is far from a dead rubber, with Deportivo one of four teams battling to remain in the league. Kickoff is little under 30 minutes away at the Camp Nou.
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS:
BARCA: Masip; Adriano, Bartra, Vermaelen, Mathieu; Roberto, Rafinha, Xavi; Neymar, Messi, Pedro
DEPOR: Fabricio; Laure, Lopo, Sidnei, Canella; Borges, Bergantinos, Juan; Salomao, Perez, Cavaleiro
So there we have it. Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has seriously rung the changes this evening. Spanish goalkeeper Josip Masip comes in for his first-ever La Liga appearance, while as confirmed earlier this week, Thomas Vermaelen makes his debut at centre-back having missed the entire season to date. There are also spots in the team for Adriano, Marc Bartra, Jeremy Mathieu, Sergi Roberto and Xavi, with the latter making his final league appearance for the club. Luis Suarez, however, is still out injured.
Deportivo boss Victor Sanchez, meanwhile, is still without the services of Juanfran (injured) and Luisinho (suspension). Alex Bergantinos, Juan Dominguez and Celso Borges all start in what is a 4-3-3 formation, while Lucas Perez will seemingly play through the middle. There are also spots in the final third for Ivan Cavaleiro and Diogo Salomao, but Oriol Riera and Helder Postiga are both on the bench.
Barcelona are unbeaten in their last nine league meetings with Deportivo – winning seven times in the process. What's more, Depor have only taken one point from their last eight league visits to the Camp Nou – losing seven times. In terms of the more recent matches between the two sides, Barca were 2-0 winners in this stadium in March 2013, while the Catalan outfit also recorded a 4-0 victory in the reverse league match back in January. The omens are not too good for the visitors this evening!
Barcelona won their 23rd La Liga title last weekend with a 1-0 victory at Atletico, who won the league at the Camp Nou last term. Enrique's team have won 30, drawn three and lost four of their 37 league games, with 93 points leaving them four clear of Real Madrid. Incredibly, since losing to Real Sociedad at the start of the year, Barca have won 18 of their 20 league games and lost just once – at home to Malaga.
Barca have actually scored three goals fewer than Real Madrid at this stage of the season, but the Catalan outfit have only conceded 19 times in their 37 league games, which is comfortably the best defensive record in the league. Enrique will have the chance to lead his team to a treble in the final weeks of the season, with the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals both fast approaching.
Deportivo, meanwhile, are one of four teams battling to remain in the league on the final weekend. Cordoba have already been relegated, and they will be joined by two from Almeria, Eibar, Deportivo and Granada. A 2-0 win over Levante last time out handed Depor real hope of survival, but they still have work to do here. In truth, it has been a disappointing season, with only seven wins from their 37 games.
Depor have a worse head-to-head record against Granada, which also places them in a difficult position. Almeria host Valencia this evening, while Granada will welcome Atletico – two extremely difficult games. Eibar, however, welcome basement side Cordoba and will fancy their chances of recording all three points. I shall keep you up-to-date with the battle at the bottom as it happens.
Just one win from their last 15 league games has left Depor in this position, while their away form this season has been really disappointing. Just two wins and 11 goals have arrived in their 18 away games, which is an indication of their struggles. At home, meanwhile, they have won five, drawn six and lost eight of their 19 fixtures. Right, just about time for my thoughts on this game ahead of kickoff.
PREDICTION! Have a look at my thoughts on this game here...
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the field for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the away side get the first half underway here.
As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Xavi - who was given a wonderful greeting - controlling matters in the middle of the park.
The result is much more important to Deportivo this evening, but you can be sure that Barcelona will be in full flow. The visitors have hardly had a touch as Barca continue to pass and probe early on.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Deportivo (Messi)
Well, that did not take long! Barcelona take the lead in the fifth minute as Rafinha clips a wonderful cross onto the head of Messi, who finishes into the bottom corner. That Messi isn't bad is he!
UPDATE! More bad news for Deportivo - Eibar have taken the lead against Cordoba. As it stands, Depor are in the relegation zone. Matters will unfold throughout the evening!
In truth, Deportivo have not really had a kick in the opening nine minutes, with the home side in control of the possession. You just get the feeling that the visitors need to score the next goal if they are to stand a chance this evening. Barcelona simply do not throw away two-goal leads, not at home.
UPDATE! Almeria are ahead against Valencia! That is massive in terms of the relegation battle and race for the top four. Sevilla might well nick fourth if Valencia suffer defeat this evening.
Granada and Deportivo are both in the relegation zone as it stands. What a terrible 11 minutes for Deportivo, who are really struggling at the moment. Eibar are now 2-0 ahead against Cordoba...
... not too much happening at the Camp Nou at the moment, but the home side are still in control of the possession. In truth, matters elsewhere are more exciting as the goals continue to go in!
GOAL DISALLOWED! Barcelona have the ball in the back of the net for a second time this evening, but Messi is ruled offside. For me, Laure was playing the Argentine onside there!
Another half-chance for the home side as that towering centre-forward Messi rises inside the Depor box, but his header is straight at the Depor goalkeeper. Simply all one-way traffic at the moment.
SAVES! Two wonderful saves from Fabricio as the Depor goalkeeper gets down to deny Messi, before denying Pedro, who looked favourite to find the bottom corner from the rebound. That is goalkeeping of the very highest order from the Spaniard, who has actually had a fine campaign.
Possession football from the home side as they continue to work space in the final third, but Messi cannot find Xavi following a wonderful move. Moments later, Rafinha curls one just wide.
Depor manage to force the ball into the Barca box, but Bergantinos's effort is blocked by Neymar, who had stayed back from a corner. Barcelona break down the other end, but Rafinha cannot slide a pass into Messi, who has been excellent in the opening 22 minutes. It has been home domination here.
Barcelona are having plenty of fun at the moment, with Neymar showing his skills and Rafinha in party mood. The pressure is off for the Catalan outfit, but that is not the case for the visitors tonight.
At 1-0, Deportivo will always be in the game, but they just cannot get the ball at the moment, which is a real problem. Barcelona are so comfortable as they continue to pass and probe in the final third.
Bartra has a rush of blood to his head and hammers one high and wide!
UPDATE! Big news from Almeria. Valencia have levelled the scores at 1-1. That is good news for Deportivo, but bad news for Sevilla. There will be plenty more twists and turns on this final day!
Not too much happening at the Camp Nou at the moment, although Deportivo have managed to somewhat ease the pressure with a spell of possession. Not much in terms of a threat though!
Deportivo just cannot get hold of the ball in the final third at the moment, although Mathieu is forced into a last-ditch challenge to deny Perez, who has hardly had a touch thus far. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and as it stands, Deportivo are being relegated along with Almeria.
UPDATE! Eibar are 3-0 ahead at home to Cordoba. Not the best news for Deportivo truth be told! Vermaelen fires one wide of the post at the Camp Nou as the score remains 1-0.
UPDATE! Almeria are now leading Valencia 2-1! Another twist! Now, Deportivo and Granada are down with results as it stands. Good grief what a final day this is turning out to be!
Deportivo are going to have to make a change here, with Canella leaving the field on a stretcher. The Spaniard appeared to land on his shoulder and is in some degree of pain here. More bad news!
SUB! Depor make the change as Canella is replaced by Medunjanin.
Barcelona remain in control of developments as we approach the break at the Camp Nou. However, the score is still just 1-0 and while that remains the case, Deportivo will always be in the game here.
CLOSE! Almost a farewell goal for Xavi as Neymar sets the midfielder up just outside the Depor box, but his effort is deflected wide for a corner. This place would have exploded!
Bartra goes walkabouts inside the Depor half, but the defender cannot slide a pass into Messi and Depor manage to break with Perez, who is called offside. We are into the final minute of the half.
UPDATE! It is now 2-2 between Almeria and Valencia. Some game that one!
We are into the second of three additional minutes at the end of the first period.
Half-chance for the away side as Perez drives down the right before delivering a super cross into Cavaleiro, who makes contact at the near post, but his effort was always moving just wide.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 1-0 Deportivo
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading 1-0 courtesy of fifth-minute header from Messi. In truth, it has been a half dominated by the home side, but Deportivo will always be in the game at 1-0. As it stands, the visitors will be relegated this evening.
STATS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 79%, while they have had 12 attempts - five of which have been on target. Deportivo, however, have only managed two attempts off target thus far. There has hardly been a challenge of note, meanwhile, and therefore no cards have been issued.
BENCH WATCH! Barcelona have a couple of attacking options on their bench this evening, with Munir El-Haddadi and Andres Iniesta both available. Depor, meanwhile, have already been forced into one change, but they still have forwards Helder Postiga and Oriol Riera in reserve here.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Depor find a route back into this game? It will be tough! Barca get the second 45 minutes underway here.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-0 for the next 15, 20 minutes at the Camp Nou.
Xavi delivers a super cross towards Neymar as Barca threaten for the first time in this second period, but Fabricio is on hand to make the challenge. As expected, all one-way traffic at the moment.
Barcelona again threaten as Pedro combines with Messi outside the Depor box, but Sidnei steps across at the final moment to clear the danger. The home side are looking for their second goal here.
UPDATE! Sevilla are ahead at Malaga! As it stands, they will finish fourth above Valencia, who are still level with Almeria. Wow! Meanwhile, Barca still lead 1-0 at the Camp Nou.
Not too much happening in terms of attacking football at the moment, with Barcelona happy to keep possession in the middle of the park. It is still delicately poised with just one goal in the match.
UPDATE! Sevilla are now 2-0 ahead at Malaga! Valencia where are you!
As it stands, Sevilla will finish fourth, while Deportivo will be relegated with Almeria this evening. However, there are still more than 30 minutes remaining. Not much happening in Barcelona!
BOOKING! Dominguez (Deportivo) is booked for a foul on Neymar.
Messi leaves the free kick to Xavi, who bends his effort high and wide!
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Deportivo (Messi)
Barcelona have their second of the match as Neymar beats the offside trap before squaring to Messi, who simply cannot miss from close range. Those two have been just sensational all season.
Depor are surely heading down as Barcelona continue to force the issue in the final third. Sevilla, meanwhile, are now 3-0 ahead at Malaga - leaving Valencia needing a winner to grab fourth.
SUB! Depor make their second change as Riera replaces Dominguez.
SUB! Barcelona make their first change as Douglas replaces Vermaelen.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona to score a third as Rafinha finds space in a wide area before driving a low cross towards Neymar, but Sidnei just manages to clear at the vital moment!
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and Barcelona still lead 2-0 courtesy of a double from Messi. In truth, Deportivo have never been in this game and they are being relegated as it stands.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Deportivo (Perez)
What was I saying?! What a goal from Perez! Depor are back in this game as Perez spins on the edge of the Barcelona box before firing one into the top corner. That is quite wonderful from Perez!
As it stands, an equaliser for Deportivo would keep them in the league!
SUB! Barca make their second change as Mascherano replaces Bartra.
CROSSBAR! Medunjanin rattles the crossbar for Deportivo! Oh how this game has changed. One goal, as it stands, keeps Depor in the league and they are really going for it now!
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining and the score is still 2-1 Barcelona. When Messi made it 2-0, the home side were so comfortable, but that is not the case now - not by a long chalk!
SAVE! Xavi tries to chip one over Fabricio after Neymar had been denied, but the Depor stopper makes the save. As it stands, Depor are being relegated along with Almeria this evening.
Barcelona have managed to take control of the possession in the last couple of minutes, but Depor hold strong at the back and threaten immediately down the other end. Some game at the moment.
BOOKING! Mathieu (Barcelona) is booked for handball! Free kick Depor JUST outside the box...
... Neymar blocks Medunjanin's free kick!
GOAL! Barcelona 2-2 Deportivo (Salomao)
OH MY GRIEF! Deportivo level in the 76th minute as Salomao hammers one into the far corner after Medunjanin's free kick had been blocked. As it stands, the visitors are staying in the league!
Deportivo have a better head-to-head than Eibar, who are leading 3-0 at home to Cordoba. Barcelona have simply fallen apart in the last 15 minutes or so and Deportivo have romped back!
Deportivo have been down for most of the afternoon, but they are staying in the league as things stand. How much do Barcelona really want another goal? The hosts are in possession here.
UPDATE! Valencia lead at Almeria! They are grabbing fourth now! Incredible!
Barcelona are really on the front foot at the moment as Rafinha dances through a host of challenges, but Sidnei is on hand to make the block. Little over five minutes remaining at the Camp Nou.
Depor continue to clear their lines and are wasting time whenever they can here.
SUB! Barcelona make their third change as Xavi is replaced by Iniesta.
SUB! Depor make their third change as Perez is replaced by Jose Rodriguez.
Deportivo are almost there. This game is so much about Xavi and Barcelona, but the real story involves the visitors, who are holding onto their La Liga status at the moment. Just incredible.
Barcelona are on the attack as we head for stoppage time at the Camp Nou.
Five additional minutes! Five! Depor still holding on here!
Cavaleiro races away with the ball for the away side and wins a free kick, which eats up more seconds. Eibar will not believe that they are being relegated as it stands - they are winning 3-0!
BOOKING! Riera (Deportivo) is booked for time-wasting.
AS IT STANDS - GOING DOWN: Cordoba, Almeria, Eibar
Deportivo are almost there. They are so close and Barca are not exactly full of intent!
BOOKING! Medunjanin (Deportivo) is booked.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 2-2 Deportivo
Just incredible! Deportivo survive relegation on the final weekend with a 2-2 draw at Barcelona. They were down and out, but have come from nowhere! Stunning!
Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to stick around for Real Madrid against Getafe. Deportivo, congratulations. Cordoba, Eibar and Almeria have all been relegated.
