Deportivo La Coruña 3 - Lens 1

Deportivo: Molina; Héctor (Sergio 46'), Naybet, César, Romero; Scaloni, Duscher (Capdevila 69'), Mauro Silva, Fran; Makaay, Diego Tristán (Luque 76'). 4-4-2.
Lens: Warmuz; Coly, Song, Bak (Coulibaly 64'), Coridon, Rool; Sibierski (Bakari 82'), Blanchard, Pedron (Faye 76'); Utaka, Moreira. 5-3-2.

Goals:
0-1. 09. Moreira. Slid ball under Molina after cross from right by Utaka.
1-1. 49. Makaay. Connected with Tristán's chipped cross to volley past keeper.
02-1. 78. Capdevila. Took pass from Makaay and placed shot round keeper.
3-1. 84. César. Headed home corner taken by Fran from right of goal.

Deportivo La Coruña came from behind to beat French side Lens 3-1 and move to second in their group. After last week's humiliation by AC Milan, Irureta decided to line up with both Makaay and Diego Tristán in his side rather than trying to find a clone for the injured Valerón, switching to a 4-4-2 formation. Scaloni moved further forward to replace Víctor, also out with an injury, and Molina returned in goal after a month long lay off.

The doubts started once again though when Lens striker Moreira turned in Utaka's cross with only ten minutes gone, and for a few minutes Depor were unable to penetrate a well organised and aggressive defence. However a header just over the bar from Diego Tristán with half an hour gone signalled a change of direction, and for the rest of the first half they bore down on Warmuz, who saved well from Makaay and then Scaloni. Lens were still dangerous on the counterattack though, and Molina proved he was back to full fitness saving a Sibierski header shortly before the break.

Eventually though Makaay equalised, volleying home a cross from Tristán in spectacular fashion four minutes after the restart, and the fans breathed a collective sigh of relief. It was not until twelve minutes from the end though that the relentless pressure turned into a second goal, scored by substitute Capdevila, and only when César headed Fran's corner into the back of the net six minutes later did the supporters really celebrate.

The news that Bayern Munich had been beaten at home by Milan added to their joy, and the Gallicians could already be on their way to the second stage if results go in their favour when the competition resumes in three weeks' time. They currently have six points, three behind AC Milan, with Bayern Munich and Lens only having one point apiece.