Barcelona loses 2-0 at Deportivo

BEIJING, April 27 -- Juan Rodriguez and Pablo Amo scored second-half goals yesterday to give Deportivo La Coruna a 2-0 win over a depleted FC Barcelona, increasing Real Madrid's chance of clinching the Spanish league championship this weekend.

Madrid will retain its title today with a victory over Athletic Bilbao at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and second-place Villarreal fails to win at Real Betis.

Barcelona needed a win to maintain a glimmer of hope in the title race, but extended its winless streak to five games - its worst since the 2002-03 season.

The Catalan team's loss was also a blow to its hopes of finishing runner-up, which would provide it with a direct berth into the group stage of next season's European Champions League.

"When things aren't working and the scoreline is against you, it gets much tougher. The players tried hard but there was a lot wrong in the second half," Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard was quoted as saying by news agency Efe.

It was Deportivo's fifth straight win, a run which has lifted the team from the lower half of the standings into seventh place with 49 points.

Also yesterday, Sevilla suffered a blow to its hopes of a Champions League place next season with a 0-0 draw at relegation-threatened Murcia.

Madrid has 72 points, 10 more than Villarreal and 11 more than Barcelona with four rounds remaining after today.

Rijkaard omitted forwards Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o, midfielders Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, defender Gabriel Milito and goalkeeper Victor Valdes with a view to Tuesday's Champions League semifinal return leg at Manchester United. The teams drew the first leg 0-0 on Wednesday.

The visitors also lacked the injured Ronaldinho, who is sidelined for the rest of the season. The Brazil playmaker may have played his last game for Barcelona, as he appears to be eyeing a move to another club.

Deportivo created more chances before halftime, the clearest arriving in the 26th minute when striker Xisco Jimenez hit the bar from close range after Valdes' replacement, Jose Manuel Pinto, dropped the ball.

Barcelona's worries grew right before the interval, when Deportivo goalkeeper Dudu Aouate's punch hit teenage forward Giovani Dos Santos as the pair leaped for a cross. Dos Santos was then accidentally kicked by Aouate as he lay on the ground, and was carried off on a stretcher.

The Mexican youngster recovered in time to start the second half, moments before defender Amo headed another opportunity wide.

Deportivo finally made the breakthrough in the 54th when unmarked midfielder Rodriguez stabbed the ball past Pinto from Angel Lafita's low cross from the right.

Barcelona's defense was again at fault in the 76th when Rafael Marquez left Amo free to head in Deportivo's second goal from Christian Wilhelmsson's free kick to the far post.

Defender Sylvinho cleared Deportivo substitute Cristian Hidalgo's shot off the goalline in the 90th minute to save Barcelona from a heavier defeat.

Sevilla came closest to breaking the deadlock at Murcia in the 55th minute when league-scoring leader Luis Fabiano hit the post with a chipped shot.

Sevilla stayed sixth with 52 points.

Murcia, whose hopes of remaining in the top flight are dwindling, remained 19th with 30 points, seven points from safety.

Also today, it's: Mallorca vs. Racing Santander; Valladolid vs. Almeria; Getafe vs. Atletico Madrid; Recreativo Huelva vs. Levante; Espanyol vs. Zaragoza; and Valencia vs. Osasuna.

(Source: Shanghai Daily/Agencies)