Lens 3 - Deportivo La Coruña 1

Lens: Warmuz; Coulibaly, Song, Bak, Rool; Keita, Bouba Diop (Coridon 72'), Sibierski (Bakari 72'), Thomert (Lammi 85'); Utaka, Moreira. 4-4-2.
Deportivo: Juanmi; Héctor, Donato, Naybet, Romero; Sergio, Mauro Silva; Víctor (Scaloni 65'), Fran, Capdevila (Luque 84'); Makaay (Diego Tristán 69'). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 15. Makaay. Ran on to through ball to round keeper and score from wide out.
1-1. 61. Coulibaly. Powerful shot from outside of area which which deflected off Mauro.
2-1. 79. Moreira. Received indirect free kick outside area and and hit shot through wall.
3-1. 84. Thomert. Forced ball past Naybet and Juanmi from left of area.

Group G:
AC Milan............. 12 points
Deportivo............. 6 points
Lens....................... 4 points
Bayern Munich.... 1 point

Deportivo La Coruña left themselves with a lot to do in their last two games after throwing away a half time lead to lose 3-1 at Lens. Irureta has been at a loss in recent weeks as to how to replace Valerón, and this time it was Fran who was given the role behind Makaay, with new Spanish international Capdevila taking Fran's place on the left wing. This was a move which many commentators had been recommending, and the veteran midfielder fitted into the role well. Depor started well and within fifteen minutes took the lead, Makaay running on to Víctor's through ball to round keeper Warmuz and score into the empty net from a tight angle.

A victory would have put the Spaniards through to the second stage, and after their 3-1 win in the reverse fixture they appeared to be on their way again. Lens fought back and after the referee waved away claims for a penalty when Héctor brought down the dangerous Moreira in the area, Keita went close following a short free kick. Depor could well have been two up by the break though when Song turned Capdevila's cross onto his own goalpost.

The Lens manager Joel Muller obviously gave his side an inspiring pep talk at the break though, as the French side came out in the second half a changed team. Bouba Diop brought a good save out of Juanmi in the first minute, and they started to look a lot more comfortable on the ball. The Spaniards resisted for a quarter of an hour or so, but then a long shot by Coulibaly took a double deflection off Fran and Mauro Silva to beat Juanmi.

Irureta brought on fresh legs in the form of Scaloni and Diego Tristán to defend the point, but with ten minutes to go Moreira put Lens ahead with a shot which breached the defensive wall after a short indirect free kick on the edge of the area. Then five minutes later Donato could only head the ball up in the air after another French attack, and Thomert picked up the loose ball and drove a shot under Naybet and past the unsighted Juanmi.

That left the particular goal average between the two sides all square, with Depor staying in second place two points ahead of their opponents. AC Milan's victory against Bayern Munich ensures the Italian's qualification and virtually knocks the Germans out of the competition, but Oliver Kahn's side visit the Riazor next Tuesday and will be going all out for a win to keep their hopes alive. A draw may be enough for Depor, but with a visit to Milan in their last match they can't afford to take the risk. Without Valerón, Molina, Manuel Pablo and all it won't be easy.