Deportivo-Betis match postponed by wind damage to stadium
Deportivo La Coruna's home clash against Real Betis yesterday night has been called off due to adverse weather in the north of Spain, La Liga announced just hours before the match was due to start.
Deportivo have said that high winds and rain have caused “serious damage” to the roof of the Estadio Riazor and, with forecasts suggesting the weather could deteriorate further by the time of kickoff, the match has been called off.
The game was due to be the first of the 21st round of La Liga fixtures and was scheduled to kick off at 8:45 p.m. CET.
La Liga said on Twitter that the game at the Estadio Riazor has been postponed, though no date was given for when the fixture will be arranged.
Both clubs confirmed the news in statements, with Deportivo revealing that hundreds of pieces of the stadium's roof had fallen onto the pitch and the surrounding streets.
The Galician club also fear more damage being caused around the time of the game, when winds of up to 75 miles-per-hour are expected to hit the region.
The Deportivo statement added: “To guarantee the security of the fans, players and everybody else who comes to the Riazor, and taking into account the reports of the state of the roof, available weather forecasts and a municipal notice about the cancellation of sporting activities in the areas around the Riazor, the game has been postponed.
“In coordination with La Liga and Real Betis, a new date and time for the match will be found.”
Deportivo are currently 16th in the La Liga standings, four points adrift of Betis, who sit in 13th place.
Barcelona's Sergio Busquets could be fit for Athletic Bilbao game
Sergio Busquets returned to Barcelona training on Friday and a late decision will be taken on his fitness for the weekend's game against Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou.
However, he is almost certain to be in contention to start Tuesday's Copa del Rey semifinal second leg against Atletico Madrid.
Andres Iniesta, who himself was back in training on Thursday, may feature against Athletic on Saturday and will also be available for Tuesday's game against Atletico, which Barca will begin with a 2-1 advantage.
“They both trained [on Friday] but it's now down to the doctors and the players themselves to determine their condition [for Athletic],” Barca coach Luis Enrique said in a news conference on Friday.
“But regardless of when they come back, it's good news for everyone to have players return- ing. It gives me more playing resources which can only be a good thing.”
SPAIN
La Liga
Yesterday D. la Coruna-Real Betis ................. postp Today Malaga-Espanyol .................................... Barcelona-At. Bilbao .............................. At. Madrid-Leganes ............................... Valencia-Eibar ........................................ Tomorrow Sevilla-Villarreal ..................................... Sp. Gijon-Alaves ..................................... R. Sociedad-Osasuna ............................. Celta Vigo-Real Madrid .......................... Monday Granada-Las Palmas ..............................