La Liga: Deportivo La Courna 2004-2005 season

[Lance Knight]

finally they win a game

Deportivo La Coruña 4-1 Espanyol: FT Report

Deportivo gave their coach Javier Irureta a much-needed lift as Diego Tristan inspired the struggling Galician side to an impressive win over high-flying Espanyol.

The vultures had been circling around the under-fire boss after a winless run of nine matches - with some sceptics believing that another defeat this weekend could have signalled the end of his tenure at the mid-table club.

But Depor finally gave Irureta something to smile about by putting the Barcelona-based side to the sword at the Riazor.

Tristan was the tormentor-in-chief, notching a goal in either half after Jorge Andrade had put the hosts into the lead. A late Juan Carlos Valeron strike secured the three points for the 2000 title winners.

The visitors, who would have moved up into the top three with a win, had threatened to ruin Irureta's day when they forced an equaliser through Camara Fredson after 15 minutes.

But Depor's guile in the attacking third, combined with the second-half dismissal of Mauricio Pochettino, amounted to a comfortable day's work for the Galicians as they climbed back into the top half of the table.

The clash was only nine minutes old when Andrade opened the scoring. Defender Pablo Amo's shot took a wicked deflection off Tristan and the ball fell to the feet of the Portugal international who slammed home from close-range.

But just six minutes later, the sides were level. Deportivo failed to deal with a teasing cross into their box and Brazilian midfielder Fredson was on hand to smash the ball across despairing goalkeeper Jose Molina and into the corner.

The goal rush continued in the 20th minute as the hosts regained the lead. Valeron escaped the clutches of his marker on the right wing and centred to Tristan, who controlled the ball and unleashed a low shot past Carlos Kameni.

The visitors almost equalised for a second time when Maxi Rodriguez forced Molina into a smart stop while Andrade put in a sprawling tackle to prevent Raul Tamudo's shot arrowing into the corner.

Minutes before the interval, Irureta's side went close to increasing their lead but Alberto Luque's snap-shot forced Kameni into an acrobatic save.

After a slack opening to the second half, Espanyol blew their chances of a revival just after the hour.

Tristan was set free after a quick counter-attack but he was hauled down by Pochettino just inside the box. The Argentine centre-back was given his marching orders and the Spain forward dusted himself down to dispatch the resulting penalty into the corner for his fifth goal of the season.

It was left to Valeron to provide the perfect finish to proceedings by heading home Pedro Munitis' inviting free-kick into the far corner to clinch Depor's first home win in two months.

Things could have been worse for the away side but Kameni did superbly to tip Sergio's well-directed free-kick over the bar with three minutes left

[Lance Knight]

Depo back on track

Saturday, February 12, 2005

Valencia 1-2 Deportivo La Coruña: FT Report

PA

VALENCIA, February 12 (Primera Liga) - Valencia's defence of their Primera Liga title all but ended on Saturday with another disappointing defeat, this time at the hands of Deportivo La Coruna.

Valencia's Marco Di Vaio equalised just after the interval after a deflected Lionel Scaloni shot had given the visitors the lead before the break.

However, Deportivo went back in front when substitute Victor Sanchez scored his side's second and that proved to be the winner.

An early header from Deportivo defender Jorge Andrade was cleared from the goalline by a Valencia defender as the visiting Galicians made a bright start.

Valencia then had a good spell after around 20 minutes when they laid siege to the Deportivo goal.

First Fabio Aurelio curled in a fine free-kick which went just over the bar of Deportivo goalkeeper Gustavo Munua.

A minute later the champions squandered a glorious chance to take the lead.

A long ball from Amedeo Carboni released his fellow Italian Bernardo Corradi who bore down on goal but his shot was palmed away by goalkeeper Munua.

Valencia looked the more likely side to score and a delicate backheel from Corradi almost let in Fabio Aurelio.

However, in first-half stoppage time it was Deportivo who took the lead in dramatic fashion.

Scaloni took the ball from a hesitant Valencia midfield and burst through on goal before letting fly with a shot from the right side of the penalty area.

The ball, which appeared to be going wide, looped up off the outstretched leg of Valencia's David Albelda and landed in the back of the net, leaving Valencia goalkeeper Andres Palop helpless.

The Valencia fans at the Mestalla immediately whistled their derision at Claudio Ranieri's side who trudged to the dressing rooms for the interval bemoaning their luck.

However, in the sixth minute of the second period the champions hauled themselves level.

Francisco Rufete curled in a dangerous cross from the right and Andrade failed to get in a clearance.

Di Vaio was on hand to bundle the ball home from close range and level the scores.

Fabio Aurelio then had another dangerous free-kick deflected behind but to the dismay of the home fans a goal kick was awarded instead of a corner.

Valencia were in the ascendancy and from Aurelio's corner Ruben Baraja headed the ball just wide of the far post.

Then came the best moment of the match when Munua made a brilliant double save.

Di Vaio's brilliant chest trap wrongfooted the Deportivo defence and then he fired goalwards but Munua parried.

The ball came out to Miguel Mista whose shot was also stopped by Munua and Di Vaio was unable to control the loose ball.

Then Deportivo took the lead with a goal that had a hint of genius and touch of controversy about it.

Diego Tristan's superb backheel outfoxed the Valencia backline and Victor burst through to rifle a shot inside Palop's far post.

However, Valencia appealed for offside and it appeared to be a hairline decision.

Valencia looked for the equaliser but Di Vaio was unable to direct Carlos Marchena's cross on target with his diving header.

[Lance Knight]

Depo loses another and falls back into 10th place

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Betis Sevilla 2-0 Deportivo La Coruña: FT Report

PA

SEVILLE, February 20 (Primera Liga) - Real Betis claimed an important victory that enhances their own credentials for a Champions League spot while dealing a blow to Deportivo La Coruna's hopes of European football of any description.

Two goals, one in each half, from Betis midfielder Marcos Assuncao were sufficient to settle the match in favour of the Andalusians who are well in the hunt for one of the four Spanish berths in the continent's premier club competition.

Defeat for Deportivo, in contrast, leaves them some way off even an UEFA Cup spot which is not what fans of the Galician outfit have come to expect in recent years.

Deportivo's need for points was more urgent than that of their hosts and they created the first moment of danger.

After 12 minutes Lionel Scaloni made a brilliant solo run with the ball and shot with his right foot but home goalkeeper Antonio Doblas made the save.

The home side staged their first meaningful attack two minutes later when Juan Jose Canas created a chance for David Rivas, whose header failed to find the target.

A minute later Assuncao collected the ball from fellow Brazilian Ricardo Oliveira but his right-footed shot was saved by Gustavo Munua.

Lorenzo Serra Ferrer's side were getting on top and after 16 minutes Edu headed a corner from Joaquin Sanchez but failed to trouble the goalkeeper.

The hosts were rampant and Assuncao then forced Munua to make a fine low save.

Just before the half-hour mark Canas had a shot with his right foot after a pass from Oliveira but once again the radar was not working for Betis.

At the other end Sergio Gonzalez launched a glorious solo run for Deportivo but Doblas came to the rescue for the hosts.

Six minutes before the interval, Betis got their noses in front as Assuncao collected a Joaquin throw-in and beat Munua with a powerful shot.

They could have extended their lead before the break when Canas set up Edu whose right-footed shot missed the target.

In the second half Deportivo almost got back on terms when Scaloni set up Albert Luque but the Betis defence scrambled the ball away to the dismay of La Coruna coach Javier Irureta.

A minute later the Galicians threatened again but Pablo Amo headed Luque's corner wide and after 56 minutes Deportivo were made to rue their profligacy when Betis won a free-kick.

Assuncao is one of the finest exponents in world football at the art of free-kicks - he often pulled rank over Francesco Totti when at Roma to take on the duty - and he added another goal to his collection with a shot that left Munua rooted to the spot as the ball billowed the net.

Four minutes later, the Brazilian nearly had a hat-trick but his right-footed shot was cleared off the line by Scaloni.

Deportivo tried to get back in the game and Doblas made fine saves, first from Sergio, next from Diego Tristan and then to deny Victor.

Doblas was in the thick of the action and after 67 minutes he foiled Scaloni who had tried his luck from distance with his right foot.

Deportivo did not give up and Luque then fired wide before Jorge Andrade failed to get his header on target.

The irrepressible Assuncao had another hat-trick chance after 87 minutes but this time his aim was awry.

In stoppage time substitute Esono Benjamin Zarandona fired wide for Betis but at the other end Luque missed another chance for Deportivo.

[Lance Knight]

Saturday, February 26, 2005

Deportivo La Coruña 2-0 Real Madrid: FT Report

PA

LA CORUNA, February 26 (Primera Liga) - Real Madrid missed an opportunity to put pressure on Primera Liga leaders Barcelona as they were well beaten by Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor stadium on Saturday evening.

Barca's disappointing 1-1 draw with basement side Numancia earlier on Saturday had given Real the perfect stage to trim the Catalan club's lead which had been seven points at the start of the weekend.

However, Barca now have an eight-point advantage over their eternal rivals and Real can only blame themselves as Wanderley Luxemburgo's side looked woefully out of touch against Deportivo who struck twice in the opening 15 minutes.

Albert Luque headed the opener after eight minutes before an own goal from Francisco Pavon doubled Deportivo's lead.

It's the second defeat in a week in the Primera Liga for Real who were defeated by Athletic Bilbao last weekend to interrupt the Madrid club's momentum just as Barca were beginning to look vulnerable.

Deportivo made an electric start and took the lead with a simple but well-executed goal.

Sergio bent in a dangerous cross from the right towards the near post and Albert Luque got ahead of his marker to glance a header past Iker Casillas and claim his 50th goal in the Primera Liga.

Real tried to hit back and Luis Figo crashed a shot goalwards only for Gustavo Munua to save at the expense of a corner.

And Deportivo then doubled their lead as Victor curled in a cross which Real defender Francisco Pavon could only deflect past his own goalkeeper with his head.

The departure of a clearly out-of-sorts Zinedine Zidane to be replaced by Santiago Solari further destabilised Real and it was almost 3-0 when a delightful dummy by Luque from a Juan Carlos Valeron pass set up Diego Tristan but the Deportivo forward's shot struck the feet of Casillas.

In first-half stoppage time Beckham curled a free-kick over the Deportivo bar from 35 yards.

In the second half Deportivo continued to press forward and Roberto Carlos made a timely intervention to prevent Victor from scoring a third goal.

Madrid said that Ronaldo would not play because of a toe injury, so Michael Owen was picked as a starter instead.

He won a free-kick in a dangerous position for Real but once again Beckham had his range wrong as his shot went high and wide.

Walter Samuel then got booked for a tussle with Deportivo's Portuguese defender Jorge Andrade.

Deportivo missed another chance to extend their lead when a misunderstanding between Casillas and Pavon gave Tristan an opportunity but the striker could not find the target with his shot.

Real were finding it hard to make any headway and the Galician fans taunted their visitors with chants of `ole' every time a Deportivo player managed to find a team-mate as the hosts dominated possession.

And Tristan could have made it 3-0 when he sidefooted over the bar after a good run and cross from the left by Enrique Romero.

The last few minutes were played out with little incident with all Madrid's endeavour coming to nothing.

[Lance Knight]

Saturday, March 19, 2005

Deportivo La Coruña 0-1 Barcelona: FT Report

PA

LA CORUNA, March 19 (Primera Liga) - Barcelona continued their triumphant march towards the Primera Liga title with a hard-earned win at Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday evening.

The victory, earned by an early goal from Ludovic Giuly, puts the Catalan giants 14 points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid who play their game in hand with Malaga on Sunday.

The Nou Camp outfit did well to successfully defend it following the second-half sending-off of their Mexican international Rafael Marquez.

Regardless of the outcome of Real's game on Sunday, Barcelona's lead looks unassailable with just nine matches to negotiate until the end of the season.

Barcelona took the lead with just nine minutes on the clock.

They won a dangerous free-kick when Ronaldinho was fouled by Sergio Gonzalez just outside the area.

Marquez fired in the free-kick which Gustavo Munua parried but Frenchman Giuly was perfectly placed to put the rebound into the back of the net.

Deportivo nearly equalised three minutes later when Diego Tristan did well to turn in the area and create space for himself before firing inches wide.

That seemed to encourage the faithful at the Riazor stadium and after 34 minutes they threatened again when Albert Luque lined up a free-kick.

The Spanish international forward fired a powerful shot through the wall but Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes did well to save it.

Giuly's goal separated the sides at half-time after an entertaining 45 minutes when both sides contributed to an attacking spectacle.

When the teams reemerged from the dressing rooms it was Frank Rijkaard's side that made most of the early running.

However, Marquez then got his marching orders when he was awarded a second yellow card for an innocuous tackle Juan Carlos Valeron as he slipped on the soggy surface.

That seemed to encourage Deportivo who started to turn up the heat on Barca who, assuming they win the title, will win their first trophy of the Millennium after, by their standards, a lean few years.

Luque almost got the Galicians back on terms after 65 minutes when he fired a low shot which was well saved by Valdes with his chest and arms.

The goalkeeper managed to hold onto the ball with Deportivo players closing in for the kill.

Barca were still looking to score on the counter-attack with Samuel Eto'o ploughing a lone furrow up front.

Deportivo came close again after 74 minutes when Fran Gonzalez crossed towards Tristan but Presas Oleguer got in a vital interception with his header to deny the forward.

With 14 minutes remaining Barca nearly sealed victory when Andres Iniesta beat three defenders and then tried to chip Munua but somehow the Deportivo goalkeeper got his fingertips to the ball to deny the raider his picture book goal.

Deportivo kept throwing everything they had at the Catalans as the game drifted into stoppage time but the Barca defenders did not yield and held on for three points that bring the long-awaited prize almost within sight for Rijkaard and his men.

[Lance Knight]

Sunday, April 10, 2005

Deportivo La Coruña 1-1 Villarreal: FT Report

PA

LA CORUNA, April 10 (Primera Liga) - A huge error by goalkeeper Gustavo Munua saw Deportivo La Coruna deprived of what would have been a crucial victory in their bid to sneak into the European qualification places.

Albert Luque had given Depor a 64th-minute lead but just as they were preparing to celebrate their fourth win in five games, the home keeper inexplicably dropped a corner and Cesar Arzo knocked the ball over the line, almost without realising, to claim an 87th-minute equaliser.

The late leveller was not the only setback for Depor coach Javier Irureta, as moments before the equaliser he saw Lionel Scaloni suffer a suspected broken leg in an awkward fall, and is likely to be without his Argentinian midfielder for the run-in.

Depor striker Diego Tristan, seeking to build on his match-winner at Levante last week, had a chance as early as the third minute, although his shot failed to cause Villarreal goalkeeper Jose Reina any undue concern.

The visitors needed another six minutes to create their first opportunity, resulting from some fantastic play by Antonio Guayre, who beat defender Manuel Pablo with ease before supplying Diego Forlan, but his shot was wide of the mark.

Following that early flurry, neither side were able to gain the upper hand with the tension perhaps beginning to show.

Depor's Pedro Munitis livened things up in the 22nd minute with a burst down the left wing and although he found Tristan near the penalty spot, the striker was unable to control the ball well and the chance was gone.

As the game progressed, the hosts took control but couldn't create many goalscoring opportunities.

Villarreal's Juan Pablo Sorin gave them a scare five minutes before the break when he fell in the box after tangling with Fabricio Coloccini but the referee waved play on, much to the Argentinian's frustration.

Tristan did manage to find the net five minutes into the second period but was in a clear offside position, and the Spain international was replaced by Luque shortly after.

In the 63rd minute, just two minutes after entering the fray, Luque unleashed a powerful free-kick which appeared goalbound but ultimately veered wide of Reina's goal.

Reina was motionless just a minute later though, with Luque clearly having found his range to break the deadlock. From 20 yards out, the Depor striker went clear as their top goalscorer on 10 by curling a free-kick around the wall and just inside the post.

The visitors responded with a fine team move in the 75th minute, culminating in a shooting opportunity for Forlan, but Villarreal's 17-goal top scorer saw his shot rebound off a post.

Scaloni then endured agony in the 84th minute, and because Irureta had already used his three substitutes, Depor were left to try to hold on for the closing stages with 10 men.

However, just three minutes short of that achievement, Munua gifted Arzo his first goal of the season.

[benherbert]

deportivo have really picked up since walter pandiani has left

[RealMadrilismo]

Originally Posted by benherbert

deportivo have really picked up since walter pandiani has left

yep I hope deportivo gets to go to the the UEFA cup next season

[Lance Knight]

I Guess they cant make it now

Saturday, April 16, 2005

Real Sociedad 1-0 Deportivo La Coruña: FT Report


SAN SEBASTIAN, April 16 (Primera Liga) - Real Sociedad finally banished any lingering relegation worries with a victory that has damaged the European ambitions of Deportivo La Coruna.

The only goal was scored after 16 minutes by Luluaga Gari Uranga.

Deportivo started the match well and after two minutes Pedro Munitis forced Asier Riesgo into a save after being played in by Juan Carlos Valeron.

Real Sociedad threatened for the first time after seven minutes when Jose Javier Barkero missed with his left-footed shot.

Deportivo's Munitis then cleared the ball off the goalline after a header from Darko Kovacevic.

When the goal came, it was Gari Uranga who found the net with a header that was beyond the reach of Gustavo Munua after a good cross by Javier Garrido.

Luiz Alberto then came on as a substitute for Riesgo who sustained a head injury in a clash of heads with a team-mate.

At the other end Munua made a fine save to deny Mikel Aranburu.

Deportivo's Albert Luque had two shots blocked and then went even closer when his shot grazed the Real Sociedad crossbar.

Munua made his best save yet five minutes into the second half when he kept out a shot from Valeri Karpin.

However, at the other end Mauro Silva created an opening for Munitis whose shot was saved by Luiz Alberto.

Munitis was playing well and he then created an opening for Valeron who failed to beat Alberto.

Alberto was relishing his spell in the limelight and next he made an important save to deny Sergio who had fired in a dangerous free-kick.

Sergio was undeterred and minutes later he received the ball from Munitis and he fired the ball wide.

Deportivo were pouring forward in order to get the win they needed to kickstart their European challenge.

Alberto was called into action again to keep out a left-footed shot from Luque.

With nine minutes remaining Real Sociedad had a real opportunity to kill the game when Igor Gabilondo's throw-in created a chance for Jeremie Brechet whose header failed to test Munua.

Deportivo substitute Joan Capdevila forced Alberto into another save while at the other end Mikel Alonso's shot failed to find the target.

It was pulsating football with chances coming for both sides and Luque could have equalised with four minutes remaining only for his header to sail over the crossbar.

The Basques had a glorious chance to score a second goal when Kovacevic found himself alone in front of Munua but he was unable to take it around the Deportivo custodian who stood up well to the Serbo-Montenegrin forward.

There was one more chance for Deportivo to get something out of the match and once more the opportunity fell the way of Luque.

Manuel Pablo's pass found the Spanish international forward in a good position and he struck the left-hand post.

Real Sociedad held on for the points but Deportivo will be rueing a series of missed chances that could have seen them take something back home to Galicia.

[Lance Knight]

another horrible loss

Sunday, April 24, 2005

Deportivo La Coruña 1-4 Racing Santander: FT Report

PA

LA CORUNA, April 24 (Primera Liga) - Racing Santander moved a step closer to Primera Liga survival by coming from a goal down to thrash Deportivo La Coruna thanks to a hat-trick from Israeli international Yossi Benayoun.

With Levante losing 1-0 at Getafe, Racing have moved up a place to 16th in the standings and the three points were made all the more important with the news that Mallorca had won at bottom club Numancia to keep the gap between Racing and the drop zone at nine points with five games to go.

Deportivo's quest to qualify for the UEFA Cup was seriously dented by this defeat, as was their confidence, as Javier Irureta's side continues to show inconsistent form this season.

The home side dominated the first half but squandered several chances to build up a big lead before the break.

Racing, whose squad was down to the bare bones before the game, suffered a blow after just 13 minutes of the encounter when Juanma Delgado, a rock in their defence this season, was forced from the field adding to their already sizeable injury list.

Their misery was compounded seven minutes later when Albert Luque opened the scoring for the home side. Former Racing idol Pedro Munitis sent in a teasing low cross from the left wing and the Catalan striker was on hand to sweep home from 12 yards.

Deportivo wasted a glorious chance to double their lead after 29 minutes when Victor Sanchez's corner found Fabricio Coloccini unmarked by the penalty spot. The Argentinian defender's header had power, but lacked direction and failed to test Dudu Aouate.

Racing came out a different side after the break, upping the tempo of the game and they deservedly drew level on the hour mark.

Mario Reguiero's flighted cross from the right found the head of Javi Guerrero who forced Gustavo Munua into a smart reflex save, but he could only parry the ball into the path of Benayoun who had the simple task of tapping into an empty net.

Two minutes later the visitors had turned the game on its head. Guerrero's corner from the left was only half cleared to the edge of the area where Benayoun controlled the ball before lashing an unstoppable 20-yard drive high past Munua.

Guerrero, who has been linked with a move to Depor, notched his eighth goal of the season and his side's third of the afternoon with a brilliant solo effort.

Racing countered through Regueiro whose through ball put Guerrero clear and as Munua raced off his line Guerrero chipped the ball over the on-rushing keeper from the edge of the area.

Deportivo nearly set-up a frantic finale when, with seven minutes to go, Luque crashed a free kick against a post.

But within two minutes Racing had killed the game off completely. Another counter attack saw Benayoun burst into the area before sending a low shot past Munua to complete his hat-trick.

[RealMadrilismo]

god whats going on why depor, they started doing good but now they are going downhill again, i dont see them going to UEFA cup now...

[Lance Knight]

Another Loss to put witht the rest


Sunday, May 1, 2005

FC Sevilla 2-0 Deportivo La Coruña: FT Report

PA

SEVILLE, May 1 (Primera Liga) - Sevilla's recent fine form continued with a composed victory over Deportivo la Coruna to leave them in pole position to claim one of the two remaining Champions League spots.

Goals from Adriano Correia and Jesus Navas within the first 20 minutes did the trick for the home side, who have opened up a five-point gap in third place from Valencia after Espanyol lost 3-2 at relegation-threatened Real Mallorca.

With Barcelona and Real Madrid both assured of their places in Europe's elite club competition next season the battle is on for the remaining two places and Sevilla will now be favourites to take the third spot with just four games remaining.

Joaquin Caparros' side have been in dazzling form in recent weeks having won five of their last six games, with an uncharacteristic 1-0 home defeat against Osasuna the only blemish on an almost perfect run.

And that form continued into Sunday evening's game as the home side dominated Depor from the off at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Adriano went close early on but following a charging run into the area his shot towards the far post skimmed across the face of goal.

But the home fans did not have to wait long before going ahead and this time Adriano made no mistake. After receiving the ball from Julio Baptiste he went past his man in the area and picked his spot, drilling the ball into the top corner past Gustavo Munua.

The lead was doubled seven minutes later on 19 minutes thanks to a wonderful solo effort from Navas. Breaking down the right wing he eased past Enrique Romero and from the angle of the area he fired in a low shot across the front of goal that found the net at the far post.

Navas was only denied a second wonder goal three minutes later by a fine save from Munua. Dribbling his way past four Depor players in the middle of the park he sent a stinging shot which the keeper tipped around the post for a corner.

With a two-goal cushion Sevilla were playing the game at a relaxed and calm pace, but were helped by poor passing from their opponents who did not seem up for the fight.

Even after the interval the visitors seemed devoid of ideas and even Albert Luque, who had been the only player in the first half to show any purpose, seemed to go missing in the second period.

Navas on the other hand was still sparkling for the home side and following a classy one-two with Jose Marti he unleashed a fizzing shot which Munua only managed to keep out with his chest.

The best Deportivo could offer came in the 71st minute when Juan Valeron almost got on the end of a Romero cross but defender David Prieto nipped in just as Valeron was going to get a shot on target.

With European qualification looking a long shot before the game Depor will rue the fact they did not put more of an effort in the second half as it looks highly unlikely they will be playing any team outside of Spain in a competitive sense next season, while the opposite applies for Sevilla.

[Lance Knight]

Great win by depo, alitte conslation prize for the fans i guess


Sunday, May 8, 2005

Deportivo La Coruña 2-0 Atlético Madrid: FT Report

PA

LA CORUNA, May 8 (Primera Liga) - Deportivo La Coruna were convincing winners in a mid-table battle with Atletico Madrid which pitted together two teams whose seasons have not lived up to expectations.

An own goal from Peter Luccin gave Deportivo the lead 10 minutes into the second half and substitute Joan Capdevila then sealed victory for the Galicians with the second nine minutes from time.

The first moment of danger came in the ninth minute.

Xisco Jimenez made a run and fired in a dangerous shot from the left but Atletico goalkeeper Leo Franco made a good save, albeit at the expense of a corner.

A couple of minutes later Luccin almost created a goal for Atletico when he worked the ball to Fernando Torres, who looked set to score but collided with Deportivo goalkeeper Gustavo Munua.

After 14 minutes, Enrique Romero created a good opportunity for Xisco but his header was weak and off target from an excellent position.

A minute later Xisco had another chance to open the scoring as he advanced into the Atletico area and fired in a shot but Leo Franco made another save, turning the ball behind for a corner.

Atletico tried to hit back and Ricardo Nunez tried his luck with a shot from 30 yards which missed the target, but only narrowly.

On the half-hour mark Nunez had another chance to score when he found himself through with only Munua to beat.

He managed to chip the ball over the advancing custodian but the ball was just over the crossbar.

Atletico were having plenty of possession but they could not quite find the key to unlock the Deportivo defence.

Early in the second half, Deportivo took the lead with a goal that was a self-inflicted wound by Atletico.

Pedro Munitis made a good run down the left and crossed the ball low into the area and it took a wicked deflection off Luccin which wrongfooted Leo Franco, who could only watch the ball sail over him and nestle in the Atletico net.

It must have been an embarrassing episode for Frenchman Luccin who was not exactly flavour of the month at the Riazor as he used to play for La Coruna's arch-rivals Celta Vigo.

Atletico appeared shocked by that blow and Deportivo poured forward, determined to kill the game with a second goal.

The coup de grace came after 81 minutes and it was supplied by Capdevila, who had only entered the fray a minute earlier for Juan Carlos Valeron.

Once again, Munitis was the inspiration behind the goal as he found an unmarked Capdevila at the far post and he tapped the ball into an unguarded net.

The win was enough for Deportivo to leapfrog their beaten opponents in the Primera Liga table.

[Lance Knight]

And Depo's Glory days are over by a long shot

Sunday, May 29, 2005

Numancia 1-1 Deportivo La Coruña: FT Report

PA

SORIA, May 29 (Primera Liga) - A disappointing season of underachievement was summed up for Deportivo La Coruna as they were held to a draw by already-relegated Numancia on the final day of Primera Liga action.

The result means Depor end in eighth spot - the first time since 1999 that the club have not finished in the top three - and a summer of transition now looks to await the 2000 Spanish champions.

Coach Javier Irureta seems certain to leave the club, while Mauro Silva and Fran Gonzalez are retiring and a number of other players could find themselves looking for a new job.

One crumb of comfort for Depor is that they will still be in Europe next season after earning an Intertoto Cup spot, although that will hardly have been in the manifesto last summer for a club that reached the Champions League semi-finals last year.

Having been thrashed 3-0 at home by struggling Real Mallorca last weekend, Depor would have been keen to have ended the season in positive fashion.

However, they were forced to play second fiddle to Numancia for large parts of the game as the home side waved goodbye to the top flight with a gutsy display.

After a fairly even start, Numancia almost took the lead in the 14th minute through Jesus Velasco, who was denied by wonderful save from Depor goalkeeper Dani Mallo after playing a clever one-two with Juan Pablo.

That was the best chance of a goalless first half that produced few clear-cut chances for either side.

It was a different story after the break though with Numancia taking the lead just four minutes in and Depor equalising 11 minutes later.

Numancia's opener came through Luis Tevenet's penalty, although Mallo will consider himself unfortunate not to have kept the spot-kick out.

At that point, Numancia fans would have been dreaming of a seventh Primera Liga win of the season, but those thoughts would have been quickly vanquished as parity was restored not long after.

Depor's equaliser owed as much to good fortune as anything else as Numancia defender Juan Pablo completely misjudged a cross from the left and, in trying to head clear, succeeded only in heading it past his own goalkeeper Diego Escribano.

Numancia responded well to that setback and almost retook the lead in the 62nd minute through substitute Miguel Angel Nunez.

Nunez had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes after replacing Juan Carlos Moreno when he picked the ball up some 35 yards out, turned two defenders before launching a piledriver that Mallo did well to keep out.

Nunez also had a chance to snatch a late winner for Numancia but, having skipped his way past his marker with a clever dummy, he flashed a shot inches wide of the post.

Depor's best chance of the closing stages fell to Roberto Acuna, like Nunez a second-half replacement, but his speculative shot from long range was turned behind by Escribano.