Champions League: Spaniards fear 'awesome' Leeds duo

Leeds’ fearsome strike partnership of Mark Viduka and Alan Smith have today been described as "awesome" as Deportivo La Coruna look to tame the deadly duo.

Viduka and Smith have scored 10 goals between them in the last five games, with the Australia international taking his tally to 20 for the season during the 2-0 win at Sunderland on Saturday.

The in-form pair have also found the net six times in United’s last three Champions League matches against Anderlecht, Real Madrid and Lazio.

Such hot-shot scoring has Spanish champions La Coruna worried ahead of the quarter-final first leg at Elland Road tomorrow, with key midfielder Francisco Gonzalez believing the key to success is stopping Viduka and Smith.

"The game against Leeds is one of our biggest challenges this season, but we’re in the quarter finals and are very close to reaching the top," said Gonzalez.

"The previous qualifying groups have been very tough and now it is time to give our best and stay focused during the whole game because Leeds are a very difficult team to beat.

"With the first leg away that means we may be seen as underdogs but these games are a 50-50 thing for each team anyway.

"I would like to point out Leeds are a great team and have had two very hard qualifying groups, but they have still knocked out big teams such as Barcelona and Lazio. No way will it be an easy quarter final.

"Leeds are in great shape right now and their attack is awesome, particularly with Mark Viduka and the young Alan Smith. We will have to take care of those two.

"I enjoyed watching the Aussie in the clash with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu a few weeks ago, but don’t forget the rest of the team because they have very skilful players."

La Coruna have their own on-song striker in Roy Makaay, with the Holland international having scored 14 goals this season, all coming in the last 28 matches.

Makaay is hoping his side can take a leaf out of Real’s book earlier this season when the reigning European champions were rarely troubled in a 2-0 win at Elland Road.

Makaay said: "We are going to Leeds with the intention of winning. We know the public are going to pressure us a lot, but we should impose our football on them.

"We should take Madrid’s game there as an example, play football, look for the chances and then take advantage of them. That is the key."

Influential Brazilian midfielders Mauro Silva and Donato have not travelled due to injury, while Helder (flu), Nourredine Naybet (virus) and Romaro (gastro entiritis) are all doubtful.