European round-up

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick while Gareth Bale and Javier Hernandez both scored twice as Real Madrid ran riot against Deportivo La Coruna at Riazor.

Last week was supposed to be one where Spanish football supporters prepared to cheer on at least one La Liga side in Saturday’s Champions League final.

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta admits he was relieved his side held on for a win in their nine-goal thriller with Deportivo La Coruna at the weekend.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has warned his side not to think the hard work in their quest to reach the World Cup finals is over, despite continuing their 100% record in Group Five.

SPAIN midfielder Xabi Alonso insists he can build a potent midfield partnership with fellow playmaker Xavi as he prepares for tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier at home to Belgium.

REAL MADRID failed to take advantage of slip-ups from La Liga’s frontrunners with a woeful display at the Riazor as they went down to Deportivo last night.

Barcelona's disappointing week took another bad turn tonight when they were held 1-1 by Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor stadium.

Osasuna are the new leaders of the Primera Liga after a weekend which also saw defending champions Barcelona take a great leap forwards.

Real Madrid vice-president Emilio Butragueno is looking for a big game from the reprieved David Beckham in tonight’s Primera Liga encounter with Deportivo La Coruna.

Andriy Shevchenko believes Liverpool were destined to claim the Champions League but still praised their “winning mentality”.

New Birmingham striker Walter Pandiani has done little to endear himself to Blues fans by insisting he does not want to be in the city.

Birmingham striker Walter Pandiani is set to make his Barclays Premiership debut against Southampton tomorrow after signing from Deportivo La Coruna until the end of the season.

I’VE mentioned him in this column before, my friend the Long-Suffering Liverpool Supporter.

Shelbourne goalkeeper Steve Williams has sampled the atmosphere of a European shock in the past and wants to experience the same feeling with Shelbourne.

Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon believes keeping a clean sheet in last night’s Champions League final qualifying round has set his side up for shock success against Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna.

Deportivo La Coruna 0 Porto 1 (Porto win 1-0 on aggregate)

DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA go into tonight’s Champions League semi-final, first leg match at Porto knowing they will probably not be able to rely on another late, great comeback.

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.

RUUD van Nistelrooy believes he will finish his career at Manchester United if he signs a new contract at Old Trafford.

A LATE goal by substitute Winston Parks gave Lokomotiv Moscow a 3-2 win over Dynamo Kiev in their Champions League match to throw Arsenal’s Group B wide open.

IN Arsenal’s Group B, Lokomotiv Moscow shattered the 100% record of Inter Milan in this season’s Champions League with a shock 3-0 victory over the Italians.

TWO classic games highlighted the entertainment factor in the champions’ League last night when AC Milan narrowly held on to a 1-0 result against Real Madrid in Group C and Juventus came from two down to level it at 2-2 with Deportivo la Coruna in Group D.

A HAT-TRICK from in-form striker Filippo Inzaghi and a long-range drive from Clarence Seedorf gave AC Milan a hugely impressive 4-0 win over Deportivo Coruna in Champions League Group G match last night.

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

Bayer Leverkusen’s treble bid remained alive after they defeated under-strength Deportivo La Coruna to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

Sammy McIlroy has warned Leeds and Arsenal that they could experience Champions League pain in Spain.