The La Liga crown looked a foregone conclusion after Barcelona routed Real Madrid 4-0 in El Clasico three weeks ago. Thrashings of Roma and Real Sociedad followed, but now three consecutive draws have cast doubt over a season that looked destined to end in multiple-title glory.
A 2-2 home draw with Deportivo La Coruna highlighted that point, as the Blaugrana uncharacteristically threw away a two goal lead in the last 13 minutes.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a brilliant trademark free-kick, before Ivan Rakitic doubled the lead just after the hour mark with a superb long range strike. The second goal had looked inevitable for Barca, and seemingly killed the game off, but Deportivo grabbed a consolation through Lucas Perez, who then set up a dramatic equaliser for Alex Bergantinos with four minutes to go.
Prolific Perez
Lucas Perez was without doubt the man of the match in this clash. The Spanish forward got the Deportivo comeback rolling at Nou Camp, exactly as he had done so last season when they also rescued a 2-2 draw back in May.
Perez scored Deportivo’s first goal with a clinical finish after escaping some non-existent Barca marking, to claim his 11th goal of the season – the same total as Messi incidentally – and to score for the sixth consecutive match. He then laid on the equaliser for Alex, who scored with a superb curling finish, to upstage the quiet and ineffective Luis Suarez.
Season on the ropes?
Barca were sitting pretty after the El Clasico rout, but the manner in which they have thrown away four points in the last week against Valencia and Deportivo means questions are suddenly being asked of Luis Enrique’s side.
The champions now head off to Japan to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup while their rivals Atletico and Real Madrid have three La Liga matches to play during their absence (including this Sunday’s league games). When they return to club action on December 30th, Barca could well be six points behind Atletico and/or four points behind Real.
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