FC Barcelona drew against Deportivo (0-0)

Barcelona (FCB).- Guardiola’s team went out with the maximum seriousness anybody could ask and dominated the game, constantly attacking though perhaps without their usual incisiveness. Deportivo needed a point and it really wasn’t a classic game on a night when the most memorable moments were the initial guard of honour from the visitors and the official presentation of the Spanish League trophy.

Changes in the starting line up

The boss decided to give some of his first team regulars a break and with Dos Santos at right back, Bartra and Fontàs as central defenders, Thiago as the playmaker and Bojan Affelay and Jeffren the front trio, the starting 11 certainly had an unfamiliar look to it, though the style of football was 100% Barça, as they dominated possession and patiently probed the Deportivo defences.

Plenty of control, but few chances

Despite Barça’s early control, Deportivo showed some danger on the break and Valeron missed a great chance on 16 minutes to put them one up. Chances were not so forthcoming at the other end and although Afellay tried to lift the team, Jeffren showed great skill to create an opening on 35 minutes and Bojan never stopped running and opening up spaces, the Deportivo keeper Aranzubia was not really given much work before the break.

Messi stays on the bench

Guardiola strengthened the flanks in the second half with the introduction of Alves and Maxwell, but he resisted the crowd’s appeals to bring on Messi, preferring to keep the world number one on the bench. The second half was much the same as the first, with Barça looking safe at the back and attempting, with long periods of possession, to find a way through the Deportivo team who were happy to sit back and play for the draw, but unfortunately making few clear cut chances.

Championship celebrations

Two runs down the right and a free kick from Alves were the closest Barça came to troubling Aranzubia (min 78), whilst Valdes again needed to be alert as in injury time he saved from Xisco, on for Valeron who’d received a standing ovation from the crowd. As the game ended and the points were shared, the captains Carles Puyol and Xavi Hernàndez came on to lift FC Barcelona's 21^st league trophy amongst the traditional celebrations.