Deportivo La Coruna travelled to the Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on Saturday knowing that three points against Real Valladolid would have moved them out of the relegation zone in La Liga.
Both sides had half-chances to open the scoring in the first period, but neither could make the breakthrough in the opening 45 minutes of football.
Valladolid were ahead in the early stages of the second half, however, when Javi Guerra found the back of the net from close range. Deportivo pushed for the equaliser in the latter stages, but it was the home side that held on for the victory.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! The first of three back-to-back live commentaries in La Liga comes from the Jose Zorrilla as Real Valladolid welcome Deportivo. The home side have all but secured their spot in La Liga for another season, but the same cannot be said for Deportivo, who currently sit in the bottom three with four matches remaining.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Valladolid have enjoyed the best of it with three wins from the last five matches, with Deportivo winning once and the other ending in a draw. The reverse fixture earlier in the season ended in a goalless draw, but Valladolid were 4-0 winners the last time they welcomed Deportivo to this stadium in October 2009.
As it stands, Valladolid currently sit 13th in the league table, eight points above the bottom three. It has not been the most enthralling of seasons for the club, but I suspect if you had offered them a bottom-half finish at the beginning of the campaign then they would have taken it. Another season in La Liga is all that matters.
They have been fairly strong on their own patch this season with six wins from their 17 matches, losing just five times in the process. Their away form has been slightly hit-and-miss, however, with just four wins from 17 matches, although that is the same number as Champions League chasing Valencia.
TEAMS:
VALLADOLID: Jaime; Rukavina, Valiente, Balenziaga, Rueda; Ebert, Rubio, Oscar, Perez; Larsson, Guerra
DEPORTIVO: Aranzubia; Ze Castro, Pablo, Aythami, Silvio; Valeron, Bergantinos, Dominguez; Riki, Gama, Pizzi
So there we have it. Still no place in the Valladolid side for former Manchester United striker Manucho, with Larsson and Javi Guerra once more starting in attack. There is also a place for Victor Perez, who replaces Lluis Sastre. Deportivo, meanwhile, recall Pizzi, who was ineligible against his parent club Atletico Madrid last weekend. There are also starts for Juan Dominguez and Juan Carlos Valeron.
Deportivo have taken 12 points from their last six matches, but they remain in the bottom three. It is an indication of just how far they were behind that they remain in trouble despite such an impressive run of form. There is no question that they have the attacking ability to pull clear of danger, which they have demonstrated in recent weeks.
They have largely struggled on their own patch this season with just five wins from their 17 matches, losing seven times in the process. That said, their form on the road has been far from spectacular with just two wins from 17 matches. However, as mentioned, three points this evening would move them clear of the drop zone.
It is not too difficult to see where Deportivo have struggled this season, with the club conceding 65 goals in their 34 matches, but they have found the back of the net 34 times. Valladolid, meanwhile, have conceded 50 goals (keeping eight clean sheets), but scored 45, which is the ninth highest total in the league.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged, just about time for my pre-match prediction. I think the fact that Valladolid have nothing to play for could aid Deportivo this afternoon. I am backing a narrow away win.
Just a reminder of the main team news this afternoon. No Manucho or Sastre in the Valladolid team, but Guerra, Larsson and Oscar Gonzalez all keep their place. Deportivo, meanwhile, recall Pizzi, who starts in a three-pronged attack alongside top scorer Riki and Bruno Gama. Right, the away side get the match underway.
Not a full house inside the stadium this afternoon, but there is a sensational atmosphere. That is due to the Deportivo fans who have travelled in their numbers to the Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla. Deportivo are unbeaten in their last seven, but they remain in relegation trouble. Bright start from the away side as they enjoy possession in the Valladolid half.
All one-way traffic in the early stages with the away side penning Valladolid into their own half. We have already had one La Liga encounter this afternoon and it's big news in terms of the bottom of the table with Athletic Bilbao recording a 2-1 win over Real Mallorca. That all but secures Bilbao's status in the league, but Mallorca remain rooted to the bottom of the table. Can Depor take advantage this afternoon?
First sight of the goal for the home side as Larsson moves past two defenders before driving a low cross into the box, but Ze Castro is across to clear at the vital moment. Depor advance immediately down the other end with Bruno Gama, but the Portuguese is quelled by Valiente. Bright opening six minutes, but still no real chances for either side.
Depor are playing like the home side at the moment as they continue to dominate possession, but they have been unable to find a way through this stern Valladolid defence thus far. Larsson again attempts to force it for the home side with a pass towards Guerra, but Aranzubia was always the favourite. Meanwhile, the away supporters continue to make their voices known.
Jaime is called into action for the home side as he is faced up by Gama, but the Valladolid stopper manages to clear the danger. Slightly sloppy period of the match in the last couple of moments, meanwhile, the with referee forced to deal with a number of late challenges. Perez hits one from distance moments later, but Aranzubia is across to collect.
Valladolid have the ball in the back of the net as Guerra heads home from close range, but the linesman had his flag raised. Replays have shown that it was indeed the correct decision. Depor just need to be careful with their defensive line at the moment. Defending has not been their strong point this season that is for certain. Still goalless with 12 minutes on the clock this afternoon.
Half-chance for the home side once more as Guerra strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the post. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be crucial in this type of match. Good possession for Depor once more, but they have been unable to get the likes of Riki and Pizzi into proceedings.
Good pressure from the away side as they force two corners in quick succession, but the first is headed behind his own goal by Ebert before Jaime comes through traffic to claim the latter. There is no doubting Deportivo's attacking ability, but you always worry that they will concede. Little under 17 minutes on the clock in Valladolid, still the score remains goalless.
Not a match for the faint-hearted at the moment as the challenges continue to arrive from both sides, but the referee has not been forced to issue a card thus far. Aranzubia makes a bit of a meal of a cross from Perez, but the Spaniard does manage to gather at the second time of asking. No real chances for either side in the opening 19 minutes of football.
Deportivo have certainly settled with possession in the last few moments with the away side penning Valladolid into their own half, but still they cannot find that elusive pass in the final third. Pablo twice causes concern with long throws from the right, but a towering header from Balenziaga clears the danger. A free kick comes from Valeron moments later, but again it comes to nothing.
Half-chance for Gama this time as the Portuguese evades two defenders before driving into the box, but his final pass just would not fall for Riki, who was loitering on the edge of the area. You just get the feeling that Depor have to score during this period of pressure, because they always likely to concede. Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about at the moment.
It is almost as if the home supporters have come out for a nice afternoon, while the away supporters are making all of the noise inside the stadium. That is perhaps not too surprising with Valladolid almost certainly safe for another season. Better from Valladolid in the last couple of moments in terms of possession, but still no goal threat.
CHANCE! Just about the closest either side has come to opening the scoring as Ebert finds Rubio outside the box, the Spaniard takes on the difficult volley, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. That is the threat for Deportivo as they continue to launch players forward. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Silvio meets a free kick from Valeron, but Jaime is on hand to make a fine save. The match has just started to open up in the last couple of moments, which has not been the case in the previous 30 minutes. End-to-end football with neither side really making a challenge of note.
Rubio attempts to force the issue for the home side as he evades two challenges before sliding a pass towards Guerra, but the Spaniard never had the pace to much past the Deportivo defence. The away side win a couple of free kicks outside the opposing box, but neither Gama nor Valeron can find a teammate in the area.
Again Gama is involved as the Portuguese collects a pass from Riki before turning in the box, but Valiente was across to make the challenge. Both defences have stood up well to the threat thus far. Opportunities have started to arrive, but the score remains goalless with 10 minutes of the half remaining.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with Gama threatening for Deportivo with a low cross into the box, but it just would not fall for Pizzi, who had moved to the far post. Valladolid attack down the other end with Rubio, but once more his pass is collected by Aranzubia. Two well-matched teams on display this afternoon.
Valeron continues to radiate class in the middle of the park for Deportivo as he probes outside the box, but the likes of Pizzi and Gama have been unable to really contribute thus far. Riki has been the man that has provided for Depor in recent weeks, his side need another performance this afternoon. Little over five minutes of the half remaining.
Neither side is really in control of the match at the moment with each enjoying passing sequences in the opposing half. The clearest opportunity thus far arrived for Rubio, but it was a difficult chance. Valladolid continue to test Aranzubia with crosses into the box, but the Deportivo keeper continues to answer the questions.
Valladolid continue to force the issue with a host of through balls, but not for the first time Guerra is the wrong side of the final defender. Meanwhile, Rubio comes the first Valladolid player to enter the book for a challenge on Bergantinos. Little over one minute of normal time remaining in the first period.
Riki wants a penalty as the Deportivo top scorer hits the ground under a challenge from Balenziaga, but the referee is not interested. A corner is awarded, which is delivered by Gama, but once more it comes to nothing. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of stoppage time.
HALF-TIME: Valladolid 0-0 Deportivo
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Deportivo started the better, but the home side grew into the latter stages of the half. The game's outstanding chance fell to Rubio, but his volley moved high and wide of the crossbar.
STATISTICS: Deportivo have shaded the possession with 52%, but they have not managed a single attempt, let alone one on target. Valladolid have had three efforts, but have thus far failed to test the goalkeeper. That jus about tells the story of the opening 45 minutes of football.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a host of attacking options on the bench in the shape of former Manchester United striker Manucho and Luis Sastre, while Pena is also in reserve. Deportivo, meanwhile, could call upon the likes of Ayoze, Camunas and Nelson Oliveira. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes by either manager at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage of the match. As it stands, Valladolid would remain 13th, while Deportivo would remain in the bottom three with three games remaining. Right, the home side get the half underway.
You just get the feeling that one goal could be enough to pick up all three points this afternoon. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Osasuna against Getafe, before Espanyol host Real Madrid in the late start. Be sure to remain with us for that. Three points for Depor would indeed move them out of the bottom three.
Half-chance for the home side as Ebert delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Guerra cannot make proper contact, with Ze Castro on hand to clear the danger. Just a reminder that neither goalkeeper was forced into a single save in the first period, let's hope that changes in this half. Strong start to the half from the home side.
GOAL! Valladolid 1-0 Deportivo (Guerra)
Valladolid have the lead in the early stages of the second period as Guerra flicks an Ebert corner into the back of the net from close range. That is just about their first real attempt on goal. Deportivo simply have to respond, they have plenty of time to do just that.
Suddenly it is the home supporters making the noise as their side go in search of their second goal. Guerra attempts to add his second of the afternoon with a strike from distance, but it never had enough power to beat Aranzubia. Gama has possession down the other end, but Rukavina fells the Portuguese, receiving a yellow card in the process.
Good spell for the away side in the last couple of moments with Riki and Pizzi seeing more of the ball, but you do worry that the more they attack the more chance Valladolid have of scoring a second. Much more purpose about both teams in this half. Little over 35 minutes of football remaining in Valladolid.
Good pressure form Depor once more as Pablo bursts down the left before delivering a low cross into the box, but Valiente is on hand to clear under pressure from Riki. Just a reminder that neither manager has made a substitution thus far, but I suspect that will change in the next 10 minutes or so. Valladolid remain 1-0 ahead.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but Valladolid are enjoying more of the ball. Deportivo may be in the relegation zone, but they are not used to losing at the moment, with seven matches unbeaten in La Liga. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if we indeed have ones - could decide the final result.
Ebert's quality from out wide again causes problems to the away side as his cross is met by Guerra, but the scorer can only head straight at the goalkeeper. Depor force the issue down the other end with two corners in quick succession, but they cannot make the breakthrough. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
Valladolid make their first change of the match as Sastre enters the field in place of Rubio, who did appear to be carrying a knock in the early stages of the half. Still no movement on the Depor bench, but I suspect we could see the likes of Oliveira in the latter stages. No real chances for either side in the last few moments, while the possession continues to be exchanged.
Half-chance for the away side as Gama forces a free kick outside the Valladolid box. The set piece is whipped into the box by Pizzi, but Ebert is back performing his defensive duties. The home side attempt to break with Sastre, but the Spaniard's pass towards Guerra is just too powerful. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining.
Free kicks continue to arrive for the away side around the Valladolid box, but it must be said that the quality of the delivery has not been up to the required standard this afternoon. Meanwhile, the match has just become slightly scrappy in the last few moments with both sides committing to a number of challenges.
The away side make their first change of the match and it is a positive one with Nelson Oliveira replacing Bergantinos. Even a point is not really good enough for Deportivo this afternoon. Three points for Valladolid, meanwhile, would secure their place in La Liga for another season. Will we have late drama at the Jose Zorrilla?
Depor are without question the side in the ascendancy as we enter the final 20 minutes of football, but they have not really done enough to deserve to be level. In truth, hardly a clear opportunity has arrived for either side this afternoon, but Valladolid have taken their golden chance. Depor have not managed to test Jaime with a single effort, which tells the whole story.
Pizzi attempts the spectacular as he spots Jaime off his line, but the Valladolid goalkeeper just manages to take a couple of steps back before collecting with relative ease. The home side want a penalty moments later as Aythami appears to handle just inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Little over 15 minutes of the match remaining.
CHANCE! Just about as close as the away side have come to opening their tally as Oliveira moves past two defenders before striking an effort from just inside the box, but Jaime was down low to make the save. Not too much from Valladolid as an attacking threat at the moment as they continue to drop deeper and deeper.
Stop-start period of the match in the last few moments with Oliveira the latest player to enter the referee's book. This match will not live too long in the memory in terms of classic La Liga encounters, but there is still time for Depor to secure something from the match. They continue to dominate possession, but they need to do more in the final third.
Valladolid make their second change of the match as Bueno enters the field in place of Larsson, who has run his socks off for his side this afternoon. What must Manucho be thinking? Valladolid do not need a goal granted, but the former Manchester United striker has been incredibly out of favour for some time now despite a strong start to the season. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining with Valladolid still leading 1-0.
It's good work from Gama as the Portuguese drives past Valiente before delivering a low cross into the box, but there are no takers. His look says it all - where on earth was the movement? Depor continue to dominate possession of the ball, but we have just not seen the likes of Pizzi and Riki, who have so often saved their side in recent weeks.
CHANCE! Another fine opportunity for the away side as Pizzi strikes an effort from outside the box, but Jaime is down to make the save, Riki is on hand to collect the rebound, but he can only fire wide. Oliveira does have the ball in the back of the net moments later, but it is ruled offside.
We have just seen another replay of the Oliveira 'goal'. It was not even close to being offside. What a terrible decision from the linesman. That could be the difference between a team staying up and going down. Little under five minutes of football remaining, with the home side still leading by the single goal.
Gama tries his luck from distance once more, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Time is certainly not on the Depor's side at the moment that's for certain. Another change for the away side as Jesus Vasquez replaces Juan Dominguez.
It is a case of 'anywhere will do' for the home side at the moment as they continue to clear their lines. Meanwhile, Valladolid make their third change of the match as Javier Baraja replaces Oscar. Change for Deportivo also as Andre Santos replaces the tiring Pablo.
Depor continue to force the issue with a series of high balls into the box, but they just cannot make that telling touch. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Half-chance for Santos, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
FULL-TIME: Valladolid 1-0 Deportivo
So there we have it. Guerra's goal is enough to hand all three points to Valladolid, with Deportivo remaining in the relegation zone. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Osasuna against Getafe. Until then!
