(Reuters) - - As Barcelona stumbled to a 2-1 defeat by Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday, many put their struggles down to the absence of Neymar. But the hole left at the back by the missing Samuel Umtiti was just as telling. Barcelona have won every one of the 16 league games in which he has featured, while emerging triumphant in just two of 11 games without him. His absence had a direct impact in the defeat by Depor, with both of the hosts’ goals coming from set pieces. It hasn’t been a flawless season for Umtiti, with poor performances against PSG in the 4-0 defeat in Paris and the 2-1 first leg defeat by Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey last 16.

Source: The Star March 13, 2017 12:56 UTC