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Champions League QF Preview: Deportivo-Manchester United
Deportivo - Manchester United | News Archive
In the form of his life...Juan Valeron (Allsport)
04/01/2002. AT STAKE
Deportivo La Coruna have thrilled the whole of Europe this season with some truly magnificent performances against the best that the Champions League has to offer. Manchester United and Arsenal have both fallen twice to the Galicians, while Juventus have also been dismissed at the Riazor.
This is no longer a team that crumbles under the slightest pressure (just witness last year's 3-0 thrashing by Leeds United) and there is an altogether more durable air about the side this season. Centre-back Noureddine Naybet is in some of the best form of his career, while the likes of Cesar and Lionel Scaloni are also proving more than able deputies to the injured duo of Donato and Manuel Pablo.
But it's been in the final third of the pitch that Depor have truly dazzled this season. Diego Tristan's understanding with Juan Valeron borders on the telepathic at times, and together they have destroyed some of the world's best defences this season.
On the league front, things are no longer quite so bright for Javier Irureta's men after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Sociedad at the weekend. This result saw them fall four points behind pacesetters Real Madrid and Valencia with just six games to play. With arguably the most difficult run-in of the championship challengers (they still have to face Real, Valencia and Betis) it may be that Irureta is forced to put all of his eggs in the Champions League basket.
Manchester United will be aware that a repeat of the mistakes that led to defeats both home and away to Deportivo earlier in the campaign could end their bid to repeat the success of their 1999 Champions League campaign. Unlike during the group stages it is much harder to recover from an off-day during the knockout stages, especially when the opposition is as lethal as Deportivo.
The English champions reward for topping their group is that the second leg will be at Old Trafford, however that advantage will be worthless if they are well beaten at the Riazor on Tuesday. United showed once more on Saturday that their defence is easily breached, but I don't think the Spaniards will be as generous as Leeds were.
If Manchester United can avoid defeat in Spain it will place them firmly in the driving seat and enhance the chances of a possible semi-final showdown against Liverpool. Sir Alex Ferguson's side will also be keen to avoid chasing a deficit in the second leg given Deportivo's attacking prowess, especially on the counter-attack.
TEAM FORM
Deportivo Last Six Matches: DWWLWD
Draws against struggling Rayo Vallecano and Real Sociedad may ultimately cost Depor dear in terms of the Spanish title. So might the 3-1 Champions League reverse at home to Bayer Leverkusen which meant the Galicians finishing second in the group and going into the quarter finals unseeded. Victories have come against Arsenal, Osasuna and Tenerife.
Manchester United Last Six Matches: WDWWLW
Ferguson's men bounced back from a shock home defeat to Middlesbrough with a 4-3 win away to Leeds United on Saturday. The three points were almost reduced to one as Leeds fought back from 4-1 down, but United's frail resistance held on to keep their hopes of winning the Premiership alive. The four goals at Elland Road made it twelve in United's last three away matches after earlier triumphs in Portugal against Boavista (3-0) and at Upton Park against West Ham (5-3).
TEAM NEWS
Deportivo- With the exception of the injured Donato and Pablo, Irureta can field his strongest possible line-up. From the side that drew with Sociedad, out will go Hector, Aldo Duscher and Roy Makaay, and in will come Lionel Scaloni, Sergio and Tristan. The lone front-man will be supported by Valeron, Victor and Fran.
United's 31-goal striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy will almost certainly return to the starting line-up after being rested against Leeds on Saturday. Ferguson may chose to drop Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the bench and play Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes just off the Dutchman. Argentine superstar Juan Veron misses out with a heel injury so Nicky Butt will keep his place in midfield.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Diego Tristan- the thorn in the side of United in the first two games, returns to the side after missing the 1-1 draw with Sociedad on Wednesday. His quick feet and ice cold finishing have attracted the attention of Serie A's finest and he could be set for a move away from the Riazor in the summer months.
Juan Valeron- the Spanish international has had easily the best season of his career and is now set to star for the national side in the World Cup. His dribbling and passing ability have dazzled the Riazor this season and United will have to beware his intricate one-twos with Tristan in and around the box.
Fabian Barthez- The erratic French goalkeeper was at fault for two of Deportivo's goals in the 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford in October and I am sure he will be looking to make amends with a sturdy performance.
Ruud van Nistelrooy- Yet another strike from the Dutch goal machine in this crunch match could be his most valuable yet in what has been a fairy tale first season with Manchester United. The one thing for sure is that he is more than capable of popping up with a goal or two.
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Deportivo (4-2-3-1): Molina, Scaloni, Cesar, Naybet, Romero; Mauro Silva, Sergio; Victor, Valeron, Fran; Tristan.
Manchester United (4-4-1-1): Barthez; G Neville, Johnsen, Blanc, Silvestre; Beckham, Butt, Keane, Giggs; Scholes; Van Nistelrooy.
SOCCERAGE PREDICTION
United to score, but Deportivo to take an advantage back to Old Trafford for the second-leg on Wednesday week.
Deportivo Win 40%
Draw 35%
Manchester united win 25%
. Toppmöller showed us that, he had been watching Deportivo match videos over and over before he came to La Coruña and defeated us. So did Clemente whose side Tenerife almost got away from us at home. Manchester certainly have to adjust their tactics for the upcoming match aginst Depor, it isn't going to be easy for neither of us, I don't know what tactics are Man Utd capable of coming out with...
