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Porto emerge victorious in Champions League semis against Deportivo
La Coruna, May 05: Porto beat Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 in the Champions League semifinal second leg and wait for Chelsea or Monaco in the May 26 final.
La Coruna, May 05: Porto beat Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 in the Champions League semifinal second leg and wait for Chelsea or Monaco in the May 26 final.
UEFA Cup holders Porto booked their place in their second successive European final on Tuesday (May 4) when striker Derlei Silva converted a 60th minute penalty after midfielder Deco was brought down just inside the area by defender Cesar.
It was the first goal Deportivo had conceded at the Riazor in the Champions League this season, handing Porto a 1-0 aggregate win and a place in the May 26 final in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
Depor received another blow 10 minutes later when Moroccan central defender Noureddine Naybet was sent off after picking up his second booking for a foul on Porto defender Paulo Ferreira.
Porto coach Jose Mourinho said the 1-0 victory over Deportivo Coruna was down to meticulous planning and the character of match-winner Derlei Silva.
"We had a week to prepare for this match after winning the league and we knew what we were going to do in all stages," Mourinho said after Derlei's penalty earned his side a place in the final.
"We knew we had to dominate and to control at all times and we managed that.
"We knew what we were going to do at the start of the match after 0-0, and what to do if we were leading 1-0 or losing 1-0.
"It was all worked out but of course you never know what's going to happen."
Derlei was back in Porto's starting line-up for a Champions League game after four months out with a knee injury and Mourinho singled out the Brazilian for praise.
"Derlei is a special player," said the coach. "I knew he could bring back a certain quality we've missed during his injury. That was one of our secrets.
"My only doubt was about how long he could last in such a high-pressure game. I was thinking maybe about 70 or 75 minutes but he played the whole game.
"Before the match he'd told me we'd have to win it in 90 minutes because by extra-time he'd be dead."
Porto's reward for victory over Depor is a place in the final in Gelsenkirchen, Germany on May 26, when they will face Monaco or Chelsea. The French side will be favourites after winning their home leg 3-1.
The Portuguese, who is tipped to take over from Italian Claudio Ranieri as Chelsea manager next season said Porto always controlled the match.
"That's why it looked easier but we have beaten a great team and to win great teams it is always difficult. And to be true, I feel for Depor. I like the 'gallegos' (natives from Galicia where Deportivo are based), I like Depor, I like Celta (Vigo). It is a shame that we cannot be both in the final but that's it, that's life."
Mourinho also said that maybe Porto were underestimated by their opponents.
"I believe they did not think we were capable to arrive and they play the way we did," he said.
Porto's coach expects a hostile reception at Chelsea when he goes to London on an intelligence mission on Wednesday (May 5), despite speculation linking him with the English club.
He was reported as saying: "I will go to Stamford Bridge as an enemy," the Portuguese coach said. "I don't think enemies are welcome but I've already got a ticket -- and a bodyguard."
Deportivo Coruna coach Javier Irureta blamed his side's 1-0 defeat by Porto in their Champions League semi-final on a momentary concentration lapse, the absence of two key players and added the course of the game was changed by the penalty incident.
"What decided the tie was the penalty, right ? A penalty which I don't know if it was in or outside (the area)," Irureta told a news conference after the match.
"It was a very balanced tie, Porto went through thanks to a single goal. I don't want to take their merit away for sure. They are in the final thanks to their own efforts. I think they can win the Champions League. They are a very well organised side, they worked very well with all players."
Irureta said Naybet's sending-off and the absence of influential midfielder Mauro Silva and centre-back Jorge Andrade, who were suspended after the first leg, were crucial factors.
Bureau Report
"We had a week to prepare for this match after winning the league and we knew what we were going to do in all stages," Mourinho said after Derlei's penalty earned his side a place in the final.
"We knew we had to dominate and to control at all times and we managed that.
"We knew what we were going to do at the start of the match after 0-0, and what to do if we were leading 1-0 or losing 1-0.
"It was all worked out but of course you never know what's going to happen."
Derlei was back in Porto's starting line-up for a Champions League game after four months out with a knee injury and Mourinho singled out the Brazilian for praise.
"Derlei is a special player," said the coach. "I knew he could bring back a certain quality we've missed during his injury. That was one of our secrets.
"My only doubt was about how long he could last in such a high-pressure game. I was thinking maybe about 70 or 75 minutes but he played the whole game.
"Before the match he'd told me we'd have to win it in 90 minutes because by extra-time he'd be dead."
Porto's reward for victory over Depor is a place in the final in Gelsenkirchen, Germany on May 26, when they will face Monaco or Chelsea. The French side will be favourites after winning their home leg 3-1.
The Portuguese, who is tipped to take over from Italian Claudio Ranieri as Chelsea manager next season said Porto always controlled the match.
"That's why it looked easier but we have beaten a great team and to win great teams it is always difficult. And to be true, I feel for Depor. I like the 'gallegos' (natives from Galicia where Deportivo are based), I like Depor, I like Celta (Vigo). It is a shame that we cannot be both in the final but that's it, that's life."
Mourinho also said that maybe Porto were underestimated by their opponents.
"I believe they did not think we were capable to arrive and they play the way we did," he said.
Porto's coach expects a hostile reception at Chelsea when he goes to London on an intelligence mission on Wednesday (May 5), despite speculation linking him with the English club.
He was reported as saying: "I will go to Stamford Bridge as an enemy," the Portuguese coach said. "I don't think enemies are welcome but I've already got a ticket -- and a bodyguard."
Deportivo Coruna coach Javier Irureta blamed his side's 1-0 defeat by Porto in their Champions League semi-final on a momentary concentration lapse, the absence of two key players and added the course of the game was changed by the penalty incident.
"What decided the tie was the penalty, right ? A penalty which I don't know if it was in or outside (the area)," Irureta told a news conference after the match.
"It was a very balanced tie, Porto went through thanks to a single goal. I don't want to take their merit away for sure. They are in the final thanks to their own efforts. I think they can win the Champions League. They are a very well organised side, they worked very well with all players."
Irureta said Naybet's sending-off and the absence of influential midfielder Mauro Silva and centre-back Jorge Andrade, who were suspended after the first leg, were crucial factors.
Bureau Report