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Some of you probably think you know all about our next Champions League opponents, others probably don't give a damn, because it's all about how Leeds plays that matters. However, for those who don't know much about Depor, and would like to be better informed than you can ever be from reading the British press or listening to Gerry Armstrong on SKY, here's my latest "dossier" on our next Spanish opponents.
First of all, where are they from?, where the f**k is La Coruña?, (or in Galician, "O Coruña"). Sounds a bit Irish, and as Galicia is a Celtic nation, it is not without some connection. La Coruña is practically on the northwest edge of Spain, over 1000 km from Barcelona and 600 Km from Madrid. It's on the coast, in fact Riazor, the football ground is practically on the beach. The Galicians are extremely friendly, and will make everybody welcome, but they are passionate about their football club. La Coruña is great for eating, and drinking out, the seafood is second to none in Spain, so we should all have a fantastic time.
But, what about the team itself? Here's the squad, and possible starting line-ups:
Goalkeepers
SONGO'O, MOLINA
Defenders
MANUEL PABLO, NAYBET, HELDER, DONATO, ROMERO, CAPDEVILA, CESAR
Midfield
VALERÓN, MAURO SILVA, EMERSON, DJALMINHA, FRAN, CESAR SAMPAIO, FERNANDO
Forwards
VICTOR, DIEGO TRISTÁN, PANDIANO, MAKAAY, TURU FLORES,
Deportivo may well use different tactics in the 2 legs, and could start like this at Elland Road, with only one outright striker and Djalminha playing just behind him.
Cesar Sampaio is injured and out for the rest of the season.
Most "knowledgeable" football followers believe that Songo'o is a better keeper than Molina but the Spanish international has been playing in the Champions League fixtures, and will probably keep his place. If Molina plays, it could be good for us. He's crap at dealing with high balls and comes flying out with no chance of getting to the ball. He's also been sent off a couple of times in his career, for bringing down opposing forwards, outside the penalty area. He is, however, a good shot stopper, and his distribution is quick and long.
The 2 full backs are in the current national side, Manuel Pablo is fast and likes to get forward, but is no great shakes defending, and Romero is similar, although not nearly as quick, and is prone to giving the ball away. Centre of defence is strong, and Helder could play instead of Donato in Leeds. Naybet, the Moroccan captain is quick and defends well, while both Donato and Helder are both slower. Donato is getting on a bit now, but has a fierce long-range shot, and if they get any sort of free kick 30-40 metres out, he will have a go.
In Leeds it's likely that they will play both Mauro Silva and Emerson in holding roles, should be an interesting tussle between them and Batts / Olly. Emerson is the same player that didn't do very much at Middlesborough (or Tenerife) but believe me he's changed. He loves to run at the opposing players, his control is superb, and he will need to be watched very carefully. Like most Brazilians he is a bit temperamental, so he could have an "off day" or even lose it if things are going badly, but if it's his day, we'd better be on our guard. Mauro Silva is a classy player, strong in the tackle, and doesn't give the ball away much, but he's lost some pace, and he doesn't worry me too much.
The 2 wide players are almost certain to be Victor and Fran, if they are both fit. Both players are very skilful, (Victor is quicker than Fran), and very dangerous if they get at the back four. However, they are both fairly fragile, and I think that whoever of our lot is up against them we could be too strong for them in this area. The real danger is bound to come from Djalminha, (pronounced Jalmeenya), who is the real class act, and has total belief in himself. This guy can do incredible things with the ball, and if he's "up for it", Batts and Olly, and the central defenders, will have to be at their best to deal with it. He is one of the most temperamental players in European football, and could easily lose his team the match, and the tie, just as he did by getting himself "sent off" at Arsenal last year. If things are going badly for Depor, or our lads are winding him up a bit, he could lose it completely. He'll take the free kicks closer to the area, and can be deadly, but it's his ability to make a "killer" pass in the last third that makes him the great danger. I'm positive they will only play one out-and-out striker at Elland Road, and Irureta, their manager, will perm any one from three. I think Makaay might get the nod, but he may stick in Pandiani or Diego Tristán,. All 3 have scored a few goals this year, and they are not dissimilar. Pandiani might just be the more skilful, being South American, but Tristan and Makaay, the Dutch international, are both decent strikers, who can score goals on a regular basis.
It's bound to be tough. Deportivo are not the Spanish champions for nothing. They are a very organised side, and will come to Elland Road looking to keep it tight and hit us on the break. They have been virtually unbeatable in Riazor this year but Milan did beat them in the CL, so there's no reason why Leeds can't do it, even if we don't get a brilliant result in the first leg.
I'm confident, again, that Leeds will defeat Deportivo over the 2 legs, but will not be surprised if we have to get something in La Coruña. Have a great time, everybody that's making the trip.
Let's do it again......the future is WHITE ..........Marchin' on together!
