Deportivo - Juventus Preview (Part 2)
First knock-out Round
25 February 2004
20:45 (CET)Riazor - La Coruña
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Tesnsions are high at the Deprtivo camp as a training bustup has occurred between forward Luque and the team's hard coach, Javier Irureta. As a result, Luque left the training ground early with anger and may be fined by the club or even forced to miss the all important match with Juve. Alberto Luque allies a fierce left-foot shot with pace and aerial power, and has adapted well to Irureta's new 4-2-3-1 formation.
Problems of another sort are also swapping Deportivo in the form of injuries, as attacking player Juan Carlos Valerón have received a knock after playing in the scoreless draw with Atletico Madrid but is expected nevertheless to be deemed fit for this clash. One of Spanish football's foremost midfield players, Valerón is renowned for his vision and passing ability, and for a habit of scoring spectacular goals.
However midfielder Mauro Silva have missed training due to injuries and remain in doubt. The indefatigable Brazilian remains the engine of the RC Deportivo La Coruña side despite him entering the wrong end of the 30s. His absence should be really felt especially that his direct replacement, Duscer, is also injured.
Naybet is expected to return to lead the defense after missing a large number of matches as a result of participation in the African Nations Cup, in which he lead Morocco to the final only to lose to hosts Tunisia.
Even though Tristan have shown a lack of form in recent matches, he is still preferred by coach Irureta to start this match ahead of Walter Pandiani. The powerfully built Tristan holds the ball up superbly and is more than useful in the air. On form, he could also be one of the deadliest strikers in the world so Juve's defence better watch out.
Deportivo's probable line-up:
------------------------ Molina --------------------------
-- Scaloni --- Andrade --- Naybet ---- Capdevila --
--------------- Sergio ------- Mauro Silva -------------
-----Victor ------------ Valerón ---- Luque -----------
------------------------ Tristan -----------------------
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