© EuroFootball.com
Today the second Champions League semi-final is being played where Edgaras Jankauskas' "FC Porto" meets La Coruna's "Deportivo".
Start at 21:45 Lithuanian time Live broadcast on TangoTV, video recording at 23:05 on TV3.
History The only one of the remaining clubs in the semi-finals to have won the UEFA Cup in their history, "Porto" welcomes "Deportivo" at their new stadium. This match is probably the most important in the history of the latter club. "Porto" already triumphed in the then UEFA Cup in 1987 and this year could become the first club in history to win the UEFA Cup and the Champions League in two seasons. The Portuguese club has not been very successful playing against Spanish clubs - they have played in Europe 27 times and only won seven, five of which were at home. Also, the only loss for "Porto" this season was against a Spanish team - Real Madrid.
Form The Portuguese champions have not been playing good football in their league recently. Out of their last four matches, they only won twice, played one draw, and lost one. However, these results were achieved allowing their main players to rest. "Deportivo" lost against "Milan" away, defeated "Sociedad" in the league, played a draw with "Betis, followed by an impressive victory against "Milan" and a win against "Villarreal". This weekend, several players rested, and they failed to beat "Valladolid", which practically ended their title hopes.
Thoughts before the match "Porto" coach Jose Mourinho is somewhat concerned about the lack of goals: "All season we scored goals normally, and now we can't score in three matches. It's something that can happen." "Losing would be bad, but a draw would be a normal result, as it would leave everything open. A win, even by a small margin, would be a great result." - Mourinho evaluated all possibilities. His colleague Javier Irureta also expects a difficult match: "Porto plays aggressive, attacking football. It's hard to play against them in matches and at the start of the second half. They are ambitious and can put a lot of pressure on you. I am sure they will want to get a good result and be calm in the return match."
Lineups "Deportivo" will be without substitute players Pedro Munitis, Jose Emilio Amavisca, and Pablo Amo due to injuries. The main striker Albert Luque also has some problems, but he should play. "Porto" will be missing the injured Carlos Secretario and the ineligible Sergio Conceicao and Maciel in European competitions. Lithuanian Edgaras Jankauskas has recovered from injury and will start the match on the bench.
Possible starting lineups: "FC Porto": Goalkeeper - Vitor Baia; Defenders - Paulo Ferreira, Jorge Costa, Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente; Midfielders - Costinha, Maniche, Deco, Alenitchev, Carlos Alberto; Forward - Benni McCarthy. "Deportivo": Goalkeeper - Molina; Defenders - Manuel Pablo, Andrade, Naybet, Romero; Midfielders - Sergio, Mauro Silva Victor, Valerón; Forwards - Luque, Pandiani.
