Deportivo Battle For A Point In Poland

Deportivo La Coruña continued their poor away in Europe as they drew with Lech Poznán in a game in which they were second best for long stretches.

The Spanish side went ahead after just two minutes thanks to Diego Colotto but Lech played with great determination and got themselves back into the match just before half time through Hernán Rengifo.

The Polish hosts dominated for much of the match but failed to convert their possession into goals as Daniel Aranzubia thwarted the strikers on more than one occasion.

The result means that neither side are in, or out, of the competition and it will be all to play for on the final day.

Perfect Start

Deportivo might have lost their last two away games in the UEFA Cup without scoring but they made an explosive start in Poland, taking the lead after just two minutes. Andrés Guardado whiped the corner in and with the ball evading all the defenders it was left for Colotto, who has been a star for the Spanish side in Europe this year, to tap home from close range. Depor looked to have learned their lessons from past matches too, clearing at the back and allowing their opponents the ball in non-threatening areas.

Indeed, the away side looked the most likely to change the scoreboard early on as Guardado put in some good set pieces, one free-kick just missing the post by inches. It took until the half hour mark for Lech to threaten the Spanish goal, with Semir Stilic seeing his shot go just wide with Daniel Aranzubia beaten. They were beginning to get into the game more though and whilst Cristian and Guardado were doing a great job down the wings the defence was looking a little shaky. The home side urged their side on and with the half time whistle approaching they got what they wanted as their side grabbed the equaliser.

It was a lovely flowing move from the Polish side that resulted with Hernán Rengifo slotting the ball past Aranzubia with just four minutes until the break. The Peruvian striker could have had another just minutes later as Depor stepped off him and allowed him to shoot from range, only to see the effort skim the post. At the half it was the Polish side who went in with the momentum and they came out determined after the interval too.

Polish Power

Lech looked comfortable on the ball and whilst Deportivo looked good coming forward they were allowing their opponents too much time in possession. Jakub Wilk had a couple of sighters before he hit a rasping drive that Aranzubia knew nothing about, but luckily, for him, sailed just wide. Just a minute later the Poles threatened again as this time Wilk turned provider, crossing for Stilic, who could only head into the arms of the 'keeper from close range. Depor were showing most of their menace on the break and Juan Valerón and Sergio did well to set up Riki inside the box, but he mis-kicked and saw his shot cleared.

Aranzubia was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers though and with just over 20 minutes left he made a great save from a Stilic free-kick to keep the scores level. The ex-Bilbao shot-stopper then somehow saved from Rengifo, who should have scored with a close-range effort in truth, as Depor began to be overrun by their opponents.

With twenty minutes left the game began to slow down a little and Depor began to get back into it, with Cristian hitting a nice shot late on that sailed just wide. However, it looked as though neither team could muster the strength for one final push as Miguel Ángel Lotina grew more and visibly nervous on the away bench. His heart must have been in his mouth as Stilic was presented with an opportunity in injury-time but fortunately for the Spanish side he could not fire home with nearly the last kick of the match.

James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com


Depor Shock Betis For First Away Win
Twist of fate pays off for De Rosario