Barcelona vs Deportivo La Coruna preview - Deportivo look to ruin Barca party

Posted Friday, May 22, 2015 by PA

Deportivo La Coruna coach Victor Sanchez del Amo is undaunted by the prospect of spoiling Xavi's Barcelona party and guaranteeing his side's La Liga survival at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

Long-serving midfielder Xavi will bid farewell to his home fans ahead of a summer move to Qatari side Al-Sadd as Barcelona celebrate the title they won with last weekend's win over Atletico Madrid.

But Victor has other things on his mind as his side go into the game knowing defeat could spell the end of their top-flight tenure.

Depor start the final weekend fourth from bottom and two points clear of Eibar and Almeria, but Eibar have a much more favourable final fixture at home to rock-bottom Cordoba.

Victor, whose side gave themselves hope by ending a run of 14 games without a win with victory over Levante last week, told a press conference: "It is another day and we have to keep fighting.

"The game has not even been played yet and people are already saying we have lost, but we will go for the win and if not a point will be enough.

"The excitement and optimism is the same as it was on the first day of the season. We are up for the fight and we have held nothing back in our preparations."

Depor hope the hosts will have other things on their mind after a week in which Xavi announced he was bringing his 25-year association with the Catalan club to an end.

Xavi has made a club record 764 appearances for Barca and could finish his career with more silverware with Champions League and Copa del Rey finals to come.

The 35-year-old told a press conference: "I've been at the club for 25 years but it is time for me to leave.

"It's a unique situation with feelings of nostalgia, sorrow and joy. I wanted to choose the right time for the club and now I want to focus on the two finals.