Luque stars for Deportivo

By Adrian Clarke

Spanish international striker Alberto Luque is desperate to make a name for himself in the UEFA Champions League this season and step out of Roy Makaay's shadow at RC Deportivo La Coruña.

Starring role
The 25-year-old forward - who was signed just over a year ago from RCD Mallorca - had limited opportunities to shine on the European stage last year, but Makaay's recent move to FC Bayern München has given him a chance to grab the starring role.

Crucial goal
It was indeed Luque's goal in the Champions League third qualifying round against Rosenborg BK last month which secured Deportivo's involvement in the tournament proper. "Scoring that crucial goal was a great moment," Luque told uefa.com. "It was the only goal scored over the two legs so I feel very good about taking that chance.

Big stage
"That goal was incredibly important for the club financially, but it is also of great importance to me because as a player you want to perform on the highest stage and make a name for yourself in front of supporters all over the world," he added. "You can gain so much experience from playing in a competition like this and you can also gain so much confidence."

Tough draw
Unfortunately for Luque, the Champions League group stage draw has not been especially kind to Deportivo. As the seeded team, they start Group C as favourites, but three strong sides in the shape of PSV Eindhoven, AS Monaco FC and AEK Athens FC will provide them with a stern test.

Vital experience
The striker admits qualification is not a formality. Luque said: "PSV, Athens and Monaco are all strong sides so we shall not be taking anything for granted. The important thing is to think about ourselves and play to our own game and not worry about what other sides are doing.

Exciting competition
"The Champions League is the most important club competition in the world and only the best teams make it to the group stage so you have to expect that every team can beat you," he added. "This is what makes the tournament so exciting for the spectators. There are no easy games in the Champions League."

High pressure
Last season's second phase exit from the Champions League was amazingly Deportivo's worst-ever performance in the competition. Their two previous campaigns ended respectably at the quarter-final stage, so the pressure is on Javier Irureta's side not to crash out of the tournament in phase one for the first time in their history.

Realistic ambitions
Expectations at the Riazor have never been higher, but not even the most ardent Deportivo fan really believes their side will win the Champions League this year. A third-place finish in the Primera División last season has given them reason for confidence but according to Alberto Luque, Real Madrid CF remain favourites.

Madrid's power
"I would like to think Deportivo will win the Champions League and we believe we have a team that can do very well in the competition, but I think the favourites to win are Madrid," admitted Luque. "They would be the team I would back because they have the best players. I think it will be very hard to beat them.

Spanish triumph
"Manchester United, AC Milan, Juventus, Bayern - they are all great teams," Luque added. "But they don't possess the firepower of Madrid. The Italian teams did great last season and will threaten again, but I believe that a Spanish side will recapture the trophy this year."