Ten-man Barcelona surge 14 points ahead in Spain
Ten-man Barcelona's 1-0 victory at Deportivo La Coruna put them a massive and surely unbeatable 14 points ahead in the Spanish title race.
Ten-man Barcelona's 1-0 victory at Deportivo La Coruna put them a massive and surely unbeatable 14 points ahead in the Spanish title race.
Although Rafa Marquez was sent off for a second yellow card early in the second half as they defended Ludovic Giuly's 10th-minute opener, Frank Rijkaard's men held on for victory to put pressure on second-placed Real Madrid.
Madrid are looking set for their second successive season without silverware as anything less than a good result at home to Malaga on Sunday would put yet further pressure on coach Wanderley Luxemburgo.
Luxemburgo is set to make changes for that match as the 29-times Spanish champions have only earned four points in their last five fixtures.
It was Frenchman Giuly's sixth goal of the season for the Catalonian club in a very lively match.
Following a freekick by Marquez, Deportivo keeper Gustavo Munua punched it away. Though Barca's Brazilian defender Sylvinho intercepted the ball in the area, he completely mistimed his shot but Giuly, surging forward at the far post, got on to the end of it to find the net.
A few minutes before half-time, Deco nearly added a second when his shot from just outside the area took a flighted deflection on to Munua's crossbar.
Marquez's marching orders came in the 52nd minute but Barcelona managed to hold on to their result although undermanned.
Earlier on Saturday, Real Betis took third spot after beating Albacete 2-1 at home and Barcelona's neighbours Espanyol could only draw 2-2 at home to Real Sociedad.
Meanwhile David Beckham returns after suspension for Madrid on Sunday but Jose Maria 'Guti' Gutierrez retains his place as a starter thanks to Danish international Thomas Gravesen notching up five yellow cards in almost record time.
Gravesen arrived from English Premiership side Everton in the winter break and has added steel to Real's midfield but has found Spanish referees keener to caution him for his uncompromising style than their English counterparts.
Beckham's compatriot and fellow England international Michael Owen also looks set to start with Ronaldo still suffering from pain in his left thigh after two recent bruising encounters against Juventus and Getafe.
Santiago Solari is set to reap the benefits of his late, spectacular, goal in last Sunday's 2-1 loss at Getafe and start on the left wing in place of Luis Figo.