LONDON, 9 April 2004 — Deportivo Coruna produced the greatest second leg comeback in Champions League history on Wednesday to humiliate holders AC Milan 4-0 and reach the semifinals for the first time.
The Spanish team’s astonishing performance meant they overturned a 4-1 first leg deficit to go through 5-4 overall. No team has previously overturned a three-goal first leg deficit in the 11-year history of the Champions League.
Javier Irureta’s side will face Porto in the last four after the 1987 winners drew 2-2 at French club Olympique Lyon for a 4-2 aggregate victory.
Six-time winners Milan followed fellow favorites Real Madrid of Spain and England’s Arsenal out of the competition, meaning the leaders of Europe’s three top leagues were all eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Of the four semifinalists, only Porto have reached the final of Europe’s elite club competition before.
Deportivo’s Riazor stadium witnessed an extraordinary opening 45 minutes in which the home side, who had won their previous seven home Champions League matches without conceding a goal, put Milan to the sword.
Uruguayan Walter Pandiani fired Depor in front with a turn and shot after only five minutes and Milan’s vastly experienced defense suddenly started playing like novices.
Goalkeeper Dida flapped at a free kick, allowing Juan Carlos Valeron to head in the second after 35 minutes. The transformation was complete when Albert Luque profited from some more poor defending to fire Depor’s third high into the net a minute before the interval. Milan still only needed a goal to go through but the only score of the second half came through Depor substitute Fran’s deflected effort 14 minutes from time.
Deportivo tackled like demons to complete a remarkable victory by a team who lost 8-3 at Monaco in the group phase.
UEFA Cup holders Porto made the perfect start in France when Maniche Ribeiro rippled the roof of the Lyon net after a clever pass by Deco Souza in the sixth minute.
Lyon attacked regardless and Peguy Luyindula jabbed in the equalizer after 14 minutes. The French team rained in shots but were killed off a minute after the break when Maniche crashed home another sublime Deco cross. Lyon had defender Edmilson sent off for a second yellow card with 16 minutes left and his Brazilian compatriot Giovane Elber’s 90th-minute header was too little too late.
The semifinals will be played over two legs on April 20-21 and May 4-5.
