Deportivo coach eyes victory

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.

Deportivo only made it through the quarter-finals against holders AC Milan thanks to an heroic 4-0 win at the Riazor after they lost the first leg 4-1.

Porto may lack the brilliance of Milan but they are one of the most efficient sides in Europe and Deportivo coach Javier Irureta wants a more resolute first-leg performance from his side as they seek a place in the final.

“I want to win in Portugal and we will need to play more like we did against Milan if we want to do that,” Irureta said, after a draw at home to Valladolid on Saturday effectively ended their domestic league title bid.

“If we play like we did against Valladolid we will come back from Porto having conceded a sackful of goals.”

Irureta will at least have been satisfied to get through the game without any injuries, meaning he can field a full strength side tonight against last season’s UEFA Cup winners.

Porto’s Jose Mourinho has become one of Europe’s most sought-after coaches after following up the UEFA Cup win with a run to the Champions League semi-finals this term.

The coach has an injury worry over Lithuanian striker Edgaras Jankauskas, but defender Ricardo Costa returns to the squad after a month’s absence through injury.

Mourinho believes Deportivo’s win over Milan will ease the pressure on his side for the home leg, as it showed the tie would not be won or lost until the last second of the return leg.

“We’ll be able to play at home without feeling the need to win by two or three goals,” Mourinho said. “A 1-0 victory would be an excellent result.”

Porto are firmly on course for a successful defence of their domestic title, with just three more points needed.

Porto’s season has been based on a watertight defence, and the brilliance of playmaker Deco Souza, but Mourinho is wary of the Deportivo threat.

“In midfield and attack Deportivo are very strong,” he warned.

PORTO (probable): Vitor Baia; Ferreira, Jorge Costa, Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Costinha, Mendes, Ribeiro, Souza, Alberto, McCarthy.

DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA (probable): Molina; Pablo, Naybet, Andrade, Romero; Victor, Sergio, Mauro Silva, Luque; Valeron, Pandiani.

Referee: M. Merk (Germany).