Barcelona displayed their emphatic version against Deportivo, whom they beat 4-0, thus facing the classic match next Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu with an eleven-point advantage over Real Madrid and also a remarkable six-point lead over Atlético Madrid. Check out the memes with Lionel Messi as the protagonist.
Although it is true that Real Madrid has the sixteenth round match in Leganés pending, postponed due to their participation in the Club World Cup, the margin acquired by Ernesto Valverde's team over Zinedine Zidane's team turns the match that will close 2017 into practically the last opportunity for the latter to get involved in the fight to defend the title.
Deportivo, which had scored points in three of their five previous visits to Camp Nou, fell again by the same scoreline as last season (4-0). They did not have the slightest chance against Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and company.
The Argentine was once again the conductor and guide of the clear victory. He assisted Luis Suárez for the 1-0 on the half-hour mark and before halftime, a shot from him hit the post and was taken advantage of by the Brazilian Paulinho to score his fifth league goal and seal the victory in case any doubts could arise.
There was another 'ghost goal' from Luis Suárez that the referee did not award, just before halftime. The Uruguayan made up for it at the start of the second half and completed his brace with Barcelona.
Paulinho did the same by taking advantage of a rebound fifteen minutes before the end, five minutes after Rubén Martínez saved a penalty taken by Leo Messi, who did not increase his tally due to sheer bad luck, as apart from this penalty he sent three shots hitting the woodwork. Barcelona's 'Pulga' will arrive at the Bernabéu eager to make amends.