UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

No holding back for Luque

Alberto Luque says defending deep in Turin could be suicide for RC Deportivo La Coruña.

By Luke Nicoli

RC Deportivo La Coruña take a slender 1-0 lead into Tuesday night's UEFA Champions League first knockout round second-leg tie at Juventus FC and striker Alberto Luque has warned his team-mates against defending their way to the quarter-finals.

Sterner test
Luque's 37th-minute goal at the Riazor a fortnight ago capped an impressive, hard-working display by the Primera División team, but the 25-year-old is certain they face an even sterner test in Turin.

Difficult game
"It is an advantage for us to have this lead but I think the return leg could be our most difficult game in the competition so far," he told uefa.com. "Juventus are a team of real quality, they have won the Champions League before and as the home side they will be more offensive."

Attacking options
"I think we will have to score at least one goal if we want to make it to the quarter-finals," he added. "We can't go out and play thinking that a 0-0 draw will be good enough. It will be a mistake because Juventus have a number of very good attacking options."

Dangerous duo
Luque has singled out Pavel Nedved and Alessandro Del Piero as potential matchwinners for the Serie A side. They have scored five Champions League goals between them this season and Depor hope that will still be the case when the final whistle blows at the Stadio Delle Alpi.

Strong team
"We know how important Nedved and Del Piero are to Juventus but we have to keep possession as much as possible to stop their attacking instincts," the Spanish international said. "If we can dictate play, then we will have a chance of scoring ourselves but then we have [Gianluigi] Buffon to face. It's a very strong team we are playing."

Statistical advantage
On a more positive note, Deportivo have played Juventus seven times in the past four years in this competition, with the Italians winning just once. It is a record the Galicians are proud of, and Luque believes that Juve will be just as wary of Javier Irureta's side. "With our record, I know they have to be worried about us," he said. "I still think we have the flexibility in our side to go far in the Champions League and I am going to fight for this club to try and win the competition."

Spanish scandal
Such comments are bound to please Depor fans, who saw their star forward walk out of a training session prior to the first leg two weeks ago. The incident led to speculation in the Spanish press that a return to FC Barcelona could be on the cards, yet Luque is happy to commit his future to 'Super Depor'.

'I'm very happy here'
"People are saying I'm leaving next season but I have to say I'm very happy here," he insisted. "Now it is very difficult to leave this team because I've become a more complete player and also the club wants me here."

Barça option
"If somebody wants me, he has to speak with the president," added Luque. "People talk about Barcelona because it is the team where I grew up as a player. I learned many things there and I was born there. If the president decided to sell me, Barça would be the place for me but I have to say it would only happen if both parties were interested."

Selected for you