Lippi takes it on the chin

Juventus FC coach Marcello Lippi took full responsibility for his side's 2-0 defeat by RC Deportivo La Coruña at the Riazor stadium, a result which leaves the Italian side with a mountain to climb if they are to progress from UEFA Champions League Group D.

'Full responsibility'
Lippi's gamble on such an attacking formation, with three central defenders and wing-backs, backfired as Deportivo repeatedly found a wealth of space down the flanks. "I thought they would change formation from Turin, but that didn't happen the way I expected," he said. "The plan was to come here and attack, not defend, but things didn't turn out the way I hoped and I take for responsibility for that."

'Progressing will be difficult'
The veteran coach, who won the competition with Juventus in 1996, was realistic about his side's chances of making the quarter-finals. "After this defeat, progressing is going to be difficult. It was a big effort from my players but they weren't able to do it. Playing every three days is too demanding. It was fairly balanced until Edgar Davids was sent off."

Deserving victors
Lippi's opposite number, Javier Irureta, felt the sending off of Davids made the victory more comfortable, but said his team were the deserving victors. "It was a spectacular first half," he said, "but the sending off made it simpler for us. In the end it was a fair result."

Tristán for Spain
The modest Deportivo coach added that his side's attacking ability is the cornerstone of their assault on the title and that he was looking forward to their next group match away to Arsenal FC in two weeks' time. "Diego Tristán is getting close to securing a place in the Spanish team with his performances. Now it's all about London and Arsenal in two weeks' time. There's a lot of people who still don't believe in us, particularly in the press. All we must do is to continue to struggle, struggle, struggle."

'Looking good for us'
As for the scorer of the goal that sealed the match, Djalminha, he was optimistic, particularly after firing home a rare headed effort. "The important thing is to be in the right place at the right time," he said. "After the goal it calmed everyone down. With this result things are looking good for us."