Javier Irureta, the coach of Deportivo, was affected after his team suffered a 2-3 defeat against FC Barcelona. Especially because the referee, Tristante Oliva, did not make much of his job and this had its influence. Irureta declared in an ironic way about the foul of Cocu on Tristan, when Tristante Oliva didn’t want to give a penalty, that “I don’t know whether the referees have changed their standards. But in my opinion they do when they have to lead matches in Madrid. When it’s a penalty the referee has to give one, and this was one. Anyway we won’t get back what he took away from us. And it’s not the first time it happens to us”. When asked about the match itself, Irureta commented that “it was a great match and spectacular at moments. This could have finished 6-4 or 4-6. But without a doubt Barcelona is the best team which has played in Riazor so far. Anyway, we ourselves should be more efficient upfront although our nerves also influenced the match. Despite scoring two goals we should have scored some more”. Irureta indicated that he was “hurt by the way we gave away their first goal. And after Barcelona hit their second the result was already very difficult to overcome. Nevertheless, in the second half we really wanted to change the result. But another lack of concentration cost us a third goal. Deportivo still reacted in a positive way and I would like to keep this in mind. We have tried all although Barcelona played very smart when we were attacking”. When asked about the legendary come-back against Paris-Saint Germain in 2001, Irureta commented that “it did went through my mind”. But now what as the gap with leaders Real Madrid has become nine points? Irureta responded that “there are still sufficient matches left and 36 points at stake. Let’s see what will happen”. For his part, Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard indicated that he wants to go “step by step” and indicated that from his team he always expects ” something more. And that’s always the next match when we’ll try to do the same as we did against Deportivo”. Commenting on the result in La Coruna he called it “fantastic. It’s very important for the team and it gives us much illusion”. “The start of the match was for Deportivo because we started in a timid way. But after five minutes my team reacted and we played well. With possession we achieved to score two goals. And I think our first half was very good”. When asked about why he took off Edgard Davids, the coach of Barcelona explained that “I had the feeling that something would happen. It wasn’t a rough match although there was some tension on the pitch. And as Davids already was booked I brought on Motta to avoid risks”. But the Brazilian was sent off after receiving two yellow cards for fouls he did not commit. According to Rijkaard, the second mistake has to be blamed on the linesman because “he thought the foul on Valeron came from Motta”. Rijkaard finalized by saying that “in the second half we had to suffer because of the goals from Pandiani, especially when we were down to ten man and Deportivo were looking for a better result”. --

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