Basel 1 - Deportivo 0

Basel: Zuberbühler; Haas, Zwyssig, Atouba; Barberis, Murat Yakin, Hakan Yakin (Varela 85'); Giménez, Cataluppi, Chipperfield (Duruz 70'); Rossi (Huggel 51'). 3-3-3-1.
Deportivo: Juanmi; Héctor, Andrade, Naybet, Romero; Duscher, Donato (Diego Tristán 46'); Scaloni, Sergio (Toro Acuña 82'), Luque (Amavisca 75'); Makaay. 4-3-2-1.

Goals:
1-0. 30.Hakan Yakin. Picked up pass from Rossi and hit shot wide of Juanmi.

Group D:
Manchester Utd.......... 9
Juventus....................... 4
Basel............................. 3
Deportivo..................... 1

Deportivo La Coruña were the only Spanish side to lose on the return of the Champions League, and their defeat at Basel leaves them with little chance of qualifying for the quarter finals. Having only taken a point from their games against Juventus and Manchester United, Irureta was hoping for a win against a side who had not played in two months due to the winter break in Switzerland. Even so he was not taking chances and put out his best available side, although Mauro Silva, Fran, Víctor and César were out with injuries and Valerón only made the substitutes' bench, with the 40 year old Donato, the second oldest player to play a Champions League match, taking over Mauro's place in midfield.

However with temperatures below freezing and the pitch in icy conditions, the Swiss side surprised their opponents, and could have gone ahead early on when Murat Yakin hit the post from a free kick. Depor appeared to be coming back when Makaay missed a couple of chances at the other end, but on the half hour mark the locals took the lead, Hakan Yakin beating Juanmi on a quick breakaway with a speculative shot from outside of the area.

Irureta brought on Diego Tristán after the break to join Makaay and Luque in a three-man attack, but only Luque caused any problems for the euphoric Swiss, just failing to get some power behind a close range shot and putting two other efforts just wide of the post. But Christian Gross shut up shop as the game wore on, leaving Depor really needing wins from all of their three remaining games to have any hope of reaching the last eight.. With one of those away at Juventus and the last match at home to Manchester United that looks like a tall order even for the Gallicians.