Group A

Monaco v Deportivo La Coruna
Monaco entertain Deportivo La Coruna in tonight’s Group A match.

The tie in this competition last season produced an 11-goal thriller with Monaco winning 8-3.

Despite that result, Monaco coach Didier Deschamps is keen for his players to avoid complacency in the run-up to tonight’s game.

“I haven’t spoken to my players about it because it’s not relevant. In football you must never look in the mirror,” he said. ”

You always have to look forward and be attracted by the challenges that lie ahead.”

There have been some notable departures from the Monaco side that made last year’s final with midfielders Rothen, Giuly and Cisse as well as forwards Prso and Morientes no longer at the club.

Despite this exodus of senior players Monaco’s domestic form remains good and they currently top Ligue 1, and in the loan signing of Javier Saviola from Barcelona Deschamps may have emulated last years Morientes coup; seen as the catalyst for their European form.

Deportivo languish in the bottom half of La Liga following a draw to Betis at the weekend.

Coach Javier Irureta will be hoping a good result in tonight’s match will kick-start their season.

“I’m delighted to be back because Monaco is a beautiful town and the team have become a big rival of ours,” he said as he looks for the result which might kick-start Deportivo’s season.