Deportivo 2 - Juventus 2

Deportivo: Juanmi; Scaloni, César, Romero, Capdevila; Duscher, Sergio, Mauro Silva; Makaay (Víctor 61'), Fran (Amavisca 77'); Diego Tristán (Luque 64'). 4-3-2-1.
Juventus: Buffon; Thuram, Montero, Iuliano, Birindelli; Camoranesi (Zambrotta 75'), Tacchinardi, Davids; Nedved; Del Piero, Di Vaio (Zalayeta 75'). 4-3-1-2.

Goals:
1-0. 09. Diego Tristán. Headed down past Buffon from Capdevila's cross.
2-0. 11. Makaay. Volleyed past Buffon after Capdevila laid ball in from left.
2-1. 38. Birindelli. Ran in from left and hit long shot over Juanmi into net off bar.
2-2. 57. Nedved. Took Di Vaio pass and hit first time shot into bottom corner of net

Deportivo La Coruña threw away an early two goal lead and ended drawing their opening game of the second league phase at home to Juventus. Irureta opted for a more conservative line up than usual, with three defensive midfielders rather than the usual two. That allowed them though to use Scaloni and Capdevila more as wing backs, and it proved to be a successful ploy, with Capdevila setting up two goals in quick succession with only ten minutes on the clock.

The first came when the Spanish international full back crossed in from the left to find the head of Diego Tristán for him to steer the ball past Buffon. Then two minutes later Fran and Capdevila combined to set up Makaay to volley home his eighth Champions League goal of the season past the startled keeper.

The Italians showed why they are heading their league though, and appeared to have pulled one back when a freak bounce took the ball into the net after Mauro Silva headed up a corner. However German referee Herbert Fandel ruled the goal out for a push by Del Piero on Juanmi. Lippi switched Nedved and Davids around, and after Juanmi saved from Di Vaio, the keeper punched out a free kick from Nedved which took a deflection on it's way to goal.

Then seven minutes before the break, a speculative shot from outside of the area by left back Birinelli flew over the top and in to the net off the crossbar. That inspired the Italians even further, and a minute after the goal Juanmi had to dive at the feet of Di Vaio to stop him from scoring again. Del Piero headed just wide soon after the restart, and eventually the visitors got the equaliser, Nedved taking a pass from Di Vaio before striking a shot low past the keeper.

Irureta decided to make a couple of changes, but rather than add to the attack he took off Makaay and then Tristán, much to the dislike of the fans. Tristán's replacement Luque did go close near the end though, his rapid turn almost catching Buffon off guard, but in thy had to make do with a disappointing draw. Manchester United's victory in Basel means that Depor really need to get a result now in Old Trafford in two weeks' time to avoid losing touch with their rivals.