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Case for the defense United seeking revenge against Deportivo
Updated: Tuesday October 16, 2001 4:33 PM
LONDON (AP) -- Manchester United's defense will be under close scrutiny when it hosts Deportivo la Coruna in the Champions League on Wednesday. The last time the two met, United was leading 1-0 with four minutes to go until a defensive lapse allowed two late Deportivo goals and a 2-1 win for the Spaniards. Manchester United needs a win to help guarantee its place in the next stage. The Reds lead Group G with six points, with Deportivo one point behind. In the other Group Game Wednesday, Olympiakos hosts Lille. Eight Champions League games are played Wednesday after the eight played Tuesday. In Group F, Bayer Leverkusen, which has won all its three games, travels to Barcelona. Olympique Lyonnais hosts Fenerbahce, which has yet to register a point. Sparta Prague, the surprise leader of Group H, travels to Feyenoord. The Czechs, who have not conceded a goal in the tournament, have seven points, with Bayern Munich, on five points, hosting winless Spartak Moscow. Celtic has a chance to extend its 6 point lead in Group E when it plays Porto (4 points), while troubled Juventus (5 points) hosts winless Rosenborg, which will create a new record for the most number of away defeats if it loses in Turin. Manchester United has prepared for the Deportivo rematch at Old Trafford by resting stars David Beckham, Juan Sebastian Veron and Ruud van Nistelrooy during United's 2-1 win over Everton on the weekend. French defender Laurent Blanc has recovered from an ankle scare. The game is also a week after United notched up its first away win in the Champions League in 11 attempts when it beat Olympiakos 2-1 in Athens. United manager Alex Ferguson said in signing Veron, van Nistelrooy and Blanc in the past few months and Fabien Barthez last year, he had his strongest ever squad. "I think this probably is the best squad we've had and next year we hope to improve it again because that's the only way you can go in football," Ferguson said. "I think we're going to see one of the games of the tournament. I'm more than pleased with the form of my team and I'm looking forward to this game more than any other game we've had for a while." Deportivo won its Spanish league game over the weekend to top the table. The 2-1 win at Zaragoza was despite Deportivo being without four key players -- rightback Manuel Pablo Garcia, central defender Goran Djorovic, striker Roy Makaay and midfielder Mauro Silva. Deportivo's Brazilian midfielder Emerson, formerly of English club Middlesbrough, said he was not particularly worried by United. "Manchester United are not that special as they showed when they were in La Coruna," Emerson said. "This is why I am sure we have the ability to win the match at Old Trafford. Deportivo coach Javier Irureta was more diplomatic. "Manchester United have a fantastic squad -- it's out of this world almost," Irureta said. "It will be interesting to see how we go against them on the pitch. It will be great for us if we could win, but we know it will be a difficult task." Bayer Leverkusen, unbeaten in 15 consecutive games, hopes to continue its streak against Barcelona. The club won 3-2 at the weekend, beating Energie Cottbus while playing 70 minutes with 10 men. Midfielders Yildiray Basturk and Ze Roberto and defender Jens Nowotny are doubtful through various injuries. Barcelona has been boosted by the return of central defender Philippe Christanval, after three weeks out with torn fibers in a thigh muscle. Rivaldo is also expected to return after being suddenly withdrawn from Barca's 2-2 draw with Valencia on Sunday. Celtic will be missing influential striker Chris Sutton, who is suffering from a virus. Welsh international John Hartson is set to make his Champions League debut paired with Henrik Larsson. Porto is the only team in Group E with an away win -- against Rosenborg -- but failed to score last week against Juventus despite dominating the game. Poor finishing by Brazilian striker Pena could give youngster Helder Postiga his first start. Fenerbahce, which has lost three straight games in the Champions League, visits Lyon without captain Ogun Temizkanoglu, who is sidelined with a thigh strain. But the Turkish champion was boosted on the weekend by its first away win of the season, 2-1 over Rizespor. After looking strong early in the season, Juventus has hit a lull, losing two weeks ago to Roma and drawing Sunday 3-3 to Torino after leading 3-0 in the first half. Last week, Juventus was listless against Porto. Rosenborg, the Norwegian champion, lost its eighth match in a row with its 1-0 defeat at Glasgow Celtic last week. If Rosenborg loses against Juventus, it will break Galatasaray's record of eight consecutive defeats. The Turkish club has held the record for nearly four years.
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