Deportivo La Coruna coach Miguel Angel Lotina made clear after last week’s 1-0 defeat in Almeria that the Copa del Rey is certainly not a priority for the Galician club. Onlookers would have realised that to be the case when Depor’s team selection was announced, with many of their top players on the bench.
Languishing in the lower reaches of the Primera Division, the north eastern club are certainly not safe from the spectre of relegation, though a promising spurt just before Christmas has managed to push them five points clear of Zaragoza.
Last week’s decision to rest his big players for the Copa tie did not help Depor at the weekend either. Faced with a Valencia side intent on reaching next season’s Champions League, they battled bravely but fell short at the Mestalla, going down 2-0 due to late goals from Jeremy Mathieu and Pablo Hernandez.
“I didn’t notice any effect physically from Thursday’s game in Almeria,” Lotina explained to the press after the fixture. “We did not take our chances and they had the punch.”
The most defensive team in La Primera, Depor can be painful viewing at times, but if they are to have any chance of progressing through to the semi-finals of the Copa, they must show some ambition against their Andalucian rivals.
Rocking After Real Draw
Almeria took a rather different tact to the Galicians last Thursday, playing a strong team, despite knowing that Real Madrid were lying in wait on Sunday. This proved a masterstroke by Jose Luis Oltra, whose side gained the upper hand against Depor and then sensationally held Real Madrid to a Sunday draw.
Rather than using the Copa del Rey as a sideshow, the former Tenerife coach instead used it as a breeding ground for confidence, and after picking up a 1-1 draw against los Blancos on Sunday they must be incredibly buoyant.
“We have managed a draw against a great team,” Oltra beamed after Sunday’s fixture. “I hope it’s a turning point, a morale boost. The team is growing.”
The coach has only had a limited effect on proceedings at the Estadio del Mediterraneo since taking charge in late November. Almeria remain rooted to the foot of the standings, two points from safety, but fuelled by the positive momentum they have gained over the course of the last week will be hopeful of an unlike appearance in the Copa semi-finals.
TEAM NEWS
Deportivo
Miguel Angel Lotina hasn’t named a strong squad for this encounter. Adrian Lopez could miss out because of injury, while Lassad Nouioui won’t be risked because of his injury proneness. Knut Olav Rindaroy has gastroenteritis and isn’t selected, while Michel, Riki, Saul, Andres Guardado and Claudio Morel are all injured.
Alberto Lopo and Juan Rodriguez are rested,
Almeria
Juanito, the club’s new signing, could debut after being named in the squad. Acasiete and Marcelo Silva drop out of the team, citing slight injury problems, while Nieto and Kalu Uche are not summoned.
Prediction
Almeria should be high on confidence just now, and even scoring on Wednesday could be enough for them due to Deportivo La Coruna’s poor goal-getting record. The guests should belie their league standing and battle through, even if winning on the night is too much of an ask.
Deportivo 0-0 Almeria 
