Galatasaray 1 - Deportivo La Coruña 0

Deportivo: Molina; Manuel Pablo, Naybet, Donato, Romero; Mauro Silva, Valerón; Scaloni (Víctor 55'), Djalminha, (Pandiani 77'); Diego Tristán (Makaay 65'). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 11. Suat. First time shot into roof of net after Hasan's low cross from left.

Group B league table:
Galatasaray............... 7 points
AC Milan...................... 5 points
Deportivo.................... 3 points
Paris St. Germain...... 1 point

Deportivo's chances for qualifying for the quarter finals of the Champions League took a body blow with a single goal defeat at Galatasaray. Having suffered their first loss in the competition at home against AC Milan in their last game, the Gallician side needed a result in the frightening Ali Sami Yen stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, where no Spanish team has won in 26 years. Realising the importance of the game Javier Irureta put out an all star line up, although he decided he would reserve Makaay, just back from injury, for Saturday's vital league match at Barcelona. That meant that Diego Tristán and Valerón kept their places in a repeat of Saturday's line up against Real Sociedad, Valerón playing further back than normal in the double anchor role alongside Mauro Silva.

Deportivo started well, with Djalminha causing some problems for Taffarel from way out and Tristán going close with a header. But then Galatasaray scored with almost their first attack at goal, Suat converting Hasan's cross with a first time volley up into the roof of the net. From then on Deportivo tried without success to break down the Turkish defence, creating numerous chances but unable to put any of them away. Tristán lost control at the last minute when free of the defence and Djalminha again tested Taffarel before half time. Irureta started moving his pieces around in the second half, bringing on Víctor, Makaay and then Pandiani, and Naybet missed the best chance of the match with a low diving header which went just wide.

The result leaves Galatasaray at the top of the table with seven points, with the draw between Milan and Paris Saint Germain helping Deportivo's interests. Realistically though they now have to win their next two home games against the Turks and PSG and to have any chance of going through, and they may still need a result in their last match away at Milan. But first they have to travel to Barcelona to keep up their challenge for the league title. Irureta must be thankful he has a large squad.