Deportivo La Coruna coach Javier Irureta has praised his sideafter a first victory at the San Siro qualified the Spanish side for the second round of the UEFA Champions League.
Second-half goals from Diego Tristan and Roy Makaay gave Deportivo victory after Jon Dahl Tomasson had given Milan the lead. Deportivo had drawn 1-1 with Milan two years ago to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Irureta said: “It is clear that this stadium likes us as we have now achieved great results here twice. It was a great win for us and proved how strong this squad is. We knew that we would qualify if we won. That is what we aimed for and that is what we succeeded in doing.
“We started well and could have taken the lead before Tomasson’s goal and the win is proof of the strong spirit that this squad. And what makes it even more impressive is that we did it at the San Siro.
“Makaay’s goal was decisive as we knew that we had qualified then and that gave us a lot of confidence to hold on.”
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose side had already qualified for second stage, was not too dismayed by the result.
He said: “I think it was quite clear that Deportivo were more motivated than us and I can’t be too disappointed when I look at the final table.
“But of course we want to win every game we play in and although we did some good things, we also did some bad things. But I am not worried about our current form.”
