Primera Liga matches, November 8-9
Deportivo Coruna face a test of character as they look to recover from their humiliating 8-3 Champions League defeat by Monaco in time for Saturday's Primera Liga clash with Real Sociedad.
Deportivo Coruna face a test of character as they look to recover from their humiliating 8-3 Champions League defeat by Monaco in time for Saturday's Primera Liga clash with Real Sociedad.
Two weeks ago, Deportivo were two points clear at the top of the Spanish standings and firmly on course for a place in the knockout phase of the Champions League, after beating Monaco 1-0 at Riazor.
But things appear a great deal more bleak for Javier Irureta's side now.
Depor have slipped down to third in the league following a 2-0 defeat at home to Real Mallorca and a goalless draw away to Murcia.
Those two disappointing performances against relegation-threatened sides were not on the same scale as Wednesday's abject display against Monaco, however.
Deportivo, a team renowned throughout Europe for consistency and strength, lost all their defensive discipline and cohesion in midfield and might easily have gone down to a heavier defeat.
"This has been a painful defeat but we have to learn from these mistakes and bounce back," Irureta said after the match.
Irureta's dilemma will be whether to offer the players who did so badly against Monaco the chance to atone against Real Sociedad, last season's runners-up in the league, or to make a string of changes.
Other Primera Liga matches being played this weekend:
Saturday:
ATHLETIC BILBAO vs. ESPANYOL
Luis Fernandez, who replaced Javier Clemente as Espanyol coach this week, faces a daunting trip to his former club Athletic Bilbao for his first match in charge.
The French coach is likely to reshuffle the defence, with Cyril Domoraud returning at centre back and Moreno Torricelli shifting to full back. Raul Molina will continue on his own up front, as Raul Tamudo remains injured.
REAL ZARAOGZA vs. CELTA VIGO
Celta have been woeful in domestic competition so far this season but they claimed a brilliant victory over Ajax Amsterdam in the Champions League in midweek and should be further boosted by the return from injury of Gustavo Lopez and Eduardo Berizzo.
Sunday:
ALBACETE vs. MALAGA
Albacete, looking for a fourth straight home win, will probably have to do without striker Basti, who has an ankle injury. Malaga have not won away from home since September.
ATLETICO MADRID vs. VILLARREAL
Atletico have won four successive league games but Villarreal will be on a high after a brilliant 2-0 win over Torpedo Moscow in the UEFA Cup, a victory inspired by Argentine playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme.
BARCELONA vs. REAL BETIS
Barcelona extended their recent run of good form with a 3-0 win over Greek side Panionios in the UEFA Cup on Thursday. Patrick Kluivert made a goalscoring appearance as a substitute in that game and coach Frank Rijkaard could be tempted to restore him to the starting line-up against Betis.
OSASUNA vs. VALLADOLID
Osasuna's brilliant early-season form deserted them in last weekend's 1-0 defeat away to Villarreal but back on home soil they should be confident of claiming another victory, although striker Richard Morales will be missing with a shoulder injury.
REAL MALLORCA vs. MURCIA
Murcia did well to hold Deportivo Coruna to a goalless draw in their last outing but their away form has been dreadful all season and this should be a good chance for Mallorca to claim a rare league win.
SEVILLA vs. REAL MADRID
Real have racked up four wins and a draw from five games since their 2-0 defeat away to Valencia at the end of September but the champions, who will be without the injured Roberto Carlos, will be wary of this trip to Andalucia.
Sevilla's talented young team have yet to play to their potential in the league this term but they have taken points off Barcelona and Real Sociedad.
VALENCIA vs. RACING SANTANDER
Valencia took back top spot in the table last week with a 5-0 stroll past Real Mallorca but they lost their scoring touch in the UEFA Cup in midweek, when they had to settle for a goalless draw at home to Maccabi Haifa.
Racing are likely to prove just as tough to break down as the Israeli league leaders. Lucas Alcaraz's side scored an excellent 1-0 win away to Celta Vigo last week and also caused problems for Real Madrid on their recent visit to the Bernabeu, although they ended up being beaten 3-1.