THERE were ominous signs for Britain’s Champions League contenders after a hectic weekend of football across the continent.

Deportivo La Coruna president Augusto Cesar Lendoiro has criticised Albert Luque after the wantaway striker expressed his desire to join Newcastle.

Newcastle United 1 Deportivo La Coruna 2 Agg (2-4)

Birmingham remain confident of completing a permanent deal for Deportivo La Coruna striker Walter Pandiani.

Deportivo La Coruna striker Pedro Munitis believes his side should be taking a much greater winning margin to Newcastle for the second leg of their Intertoto Cup semi-final.

Birmingham have signed Uruguay striker Walter Pandiani on loan from Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna until the end of the season.

BAYER LEVERKUSEN crushed Dynamo Kiev 3-0 with second-half goals from Juan, Andriy Voronin and Marko Babic to reach the knock-out phase of the Champions League and eliminate the Ukrainians from Group B.

Liverpool 0 Deportivo 0

Liverpool 0 Deportivo la Coruna 0

Deportivo 0 Shelbourne 0 (agg 0-0)

THE pressure on Deportivo manager, Javier Irureta, to steer his team to a win over Shelbourne tomorrow night was reflected in his decision to take his squad to an isolated training camp 90 miles from their base to prepare.

Shelbourne 2 Hadjuk Split 0 (Shels win 4-3 on agg)

Highly-rated Deportivo La Coruna defender Jorge Andrade has hinted that he will quit the Spanish club if Manchester United make a move for him.

IF Giovanni Trapattoni was watching, then the Italy coach must now be having second thoughts about inviting Paolo Maldini to come out of international retirement for Euro 2004.

If Giovanni Trapattoni was watching, then the Italy coach must now be having second thoughts about inviting Paolo Maldini to come out of international retirement for Euro 2004.

REAL MADRID, minus David Beckham, returned to the top of Spain’s Primera Liga after a convincing 3-1 win away to Real Mallorca last night.

Real Madrid 3 AC Milan 1

Juventus 3 Deportivo 2

HOLDERS Real Madrid needed a last-ditch equaliser in Dortmund from Javier Portillo to keep their Champions League defence on course.

Manchester United 3 Deportivo La Coruna 2

Manchester United 1-1 Deportivo (Agg 3-1) H/T

Goals from David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy have given Manchester United a two-goal half-time lead - but also priceless away goals - in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Deportivo La Coruna.

Points, and not revenge, is the primary concern of Deportivo La Coruna coach Javier Irureta ahead of their clash with Arsenal this evening.