Guardiola opted to go with Valdés as the keeper and Alves, Piqué, Puyol, and Abidal as line of defense. Sergio Busquets, Xavi,  and Iniesta formed the midfield that supported Henry, Ibrahimovic and Messi up front. This would be a battle between the offensive minded Barcelona team and the defensive minded Deportivo team.  It took a bit for Barcelona to settle into their grove but once they got into their grove, they were great to watch.

The scoring chances would start to come after twenty minutes into the game when Messi getting his first chance in the 20th minute inside the box, only to have his effort thwarted by the Deportivo keeper. Three minutes later, Messi would cross the ball to Ibrahimovic, who in return would attempt a bicycle kick and unintentionally pass it to Henry who was whistled for offside.  Another three minutes later, Barcelona would strike first blood.

In the 26th minute, Barcelona would score the first goal of the game courtesy of some quick thinking by Messi at his usual right side of the box. He would dribble a bit towards the center of the penalty box and then fire a low shot near the post that Deportivo’s keeper could not stop. Messi’s goal was his 8th league goal of the season and first league goal since November 7th against Mallorca.

Total domination from Barcelona as they would continue to attack and in the 35th minute, Ibrahimovic was alone in the box on a counter attack but Deportivo’s keeper was quick and alert enough to tap the ball away from Ibrahimovic’s feet to prevent a scoring chance. Deportivo still would catch Barcelona once in a whole in the odd counter attack and in the 38th minute, would finally get their first shot on goal that would result in the equalizing goal.

Deportivo’s goal came courtesy of a long ball that was unfortunately headed by Busquets back towards his own goal which allowed Deportivo’s Adrian scores a header that gets by Valdés. Poor mental lapse by Busquets and Valdés on that goal and one wonders why Puyol and Abidal allowed Adrian the chance to score. Nevertheless, Guardiola was disappointed by the cheap goal given but Barcelona kept on fighting for the second goal.

In the 41st minute, Barcelona went on the counter attack with Messi leading the way but Deportivo were well prepared and had four players hound him to eliminate any scoring chance. Two minutes later, Barcelona would have its best scoring chance to take the lead when Henry passed the ball to Ibrahimovic who cleverly back heeled it into the box for Messi. However, Messi’s shot on goal would knick the shoulder of the keeper and head out for a corner kick. That would be the last scoring chance of the half and the teams would head back to the dressing room with the score tied at 1-1.

The second half brought no chances from either side. Barcelona continued where they left off with their total control in possession. However, for all their possession, they could not deliver that killer pass to get the go ahead goal.  Most of their crosses always ended up going to Deportivo’s keeper. Was the fatigue starting to build into the legs of the players after so many games these past two weeks?

Deportivo would have the best scoring chance early on when header effort from Deportivo in the 53rd minute just sailed wide after beating Barcelona’s offside trap. The game would continue to be that of poor decision making up front with poor crosses and strong passes that failed to connect. A fine example of wasted opportunities would come in the 69th minute when Ibrahimovic wasted his header as it went out for a goal when a shot on goal or a pass to his teammates would have been more preferred in that situation.

The momentum was starting to slip away from Barcelona and Guardiola had seen enough to make a chance and in the 70th minute, Henry would be substituted for Pedro. Would Pedro’s introduction provide the much needed spark? After a few chances for Barcelona came out flat courtesy of corner kicks, Messi had a nice shot on goal that unfortunately sailed wide. Four minutes later, Messi would redeem himself for all the missed scoring opportunities that he was wasted. Pedro’s introduction brought the much needed pace that was lacking from the club in the second half.

In the 79th minute, the team pressed hard and after some great passing, Pedro delivered a cross into the box to an unmarked Messi to head in the go ahead goal. Messi’s 9th league goal and the much needed and deserved goal thanks. A few minutes later, Messi would find himself in the exact same scoring opportunity as he was left unmarked yet again but his header would sail into the keeper’s arm. Just when it seemed that Barcelona had the game in hand, the defense would fall asleep yet again.

In the 86th minute, Deportivo found itself on the counter attack and escaped Barcelona’s offside trap yet again. Fortunately, for Barcelona, as Guardado ran with the ball, he delivered an awful pass that was too strong for the rushing Bodipo and Valdés left the ball alone and watched it go out for a goal kick. Danger averted and a sigh of relief for many. A minute later thankfully, Barcelona would deliver the final nail in the coffin.

Right after that fortunate play, Barcelona strung a number of fine passes which resulted in Iniesta passing the ball the sprinting Abidal and Abidal delivered a into the box that was a bit too far for Messi but perfect for  Ibrahimovic who powerfully directed the ball into the back of the net for the third and final goal of the game. 3-1 lead and 3 points in the bag for the club. For Ibrahimovic, this was his third consecutive league game with a goal and gives him 10 league goals for this season.  Guardiola then decided to bring on Keita for Iniesta for extra defensive measure and also for time wasting. Iniesta would leave to a standing ovation and a slight chant of Iniesta could be heard from the traveling Barcelona fans.

In the 89th minute, Barcelona wasted a great chance for a fourth goal but Keita’s first touch of the game ruined a great counter attack. Messi passed to the sprinting Keita but Keita’s first touch ruining a scoring chance off a counter attack. That would be the last genuine scoring chance of the game and after three additional minutes would be awarded as injury time but the damage had been done. Barcelona would leave the stadium that has long caused them problems as 3-1 victors. With this win, they regain their 5 point lead at the top of the standings and continue the best league start ever in the club’s history. Sadly, they now have to rest and get ready for their third consecutive away game when they play their final Champions League group game in Kiev.

Match Facts: 

Deportivo de La Coruña: Aranzubia; Manuel Pablo, Colotto, Lopo, Filipe Luis; Antonio Tomás (Bodipo; min.83), Sergio; Adrián (Juca; min.62), Juan Rodríguez, Guardado (Pablo Alvarez; min.87); & Mista.

Barcelona: Valdés; Alves, Piqué, Puyol, Abidal; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta (Keita; min.89); Messi, Ibrahimovic & Henry (Pedro; min.70).

Goals: 0-1, min.27: Messi. 1-1, min.39, Adrián. 1-2, min.79, Messi. 1-3, min.88, Ibrahimovic.

Referee: Fernández Borbalán

Bookings: Dani Alves (min.48) & Abidal (min.77), - Mista (min.58).