Elated Deportivo Coruna believe they can go on to win the Champions League after overturning a three-goal first leg deficit and knocking out holders AC Milan in the quarter-finals.
"We have achieved something historic by winning this game," midfielder Victor told reporters after his side's stunning 4-0 quarter-final victory over the Italian favourites on Wednesday.
| |||||||||||
Depor's chances of making it through to their first Champions League semi-final were seen as almost non-existent following their emphatic 4-1 defeat at the San Siro in the first leg.
But an early strike from centre-forward Walter Pandiani, a well taken header from Juan Carlos Valeron and a fierce drive from the impressive Albert Luque allowed the Galicians to wipe out Milan's first leg lead in the space of 45 minutes.
Depor then proceeded to play some brilliant possession football to leave Milan chasing shadows in midfield and they completed a near-perfect performance when substitute and club captain Fran scored a fourth 14 minutes from time.
OUTSTANDING GAME
"No one gave us a chance before the game," said the experienced Brazilian Mauro Silva who had an outstanding game at the centre of the Depor midfield. "But we showed that anything is possible in the Champions League.
"It is important that we now keep our feet on the ground. We aren't the favourites and we aren't going to make the errors that other teams have made, but winning the Champions League would be absolutely brilliant."
Uruguayan international Pandiani believes that like Monaco's shock victory over Real Madrid in one of the other quarter-finals, Deportivo's triumph had provided a welcome boost for the more modest sides in Europe.
"Football has changed a great deal," he said. "The team that gives everything on the pitch is the one that will gain the victories. It is no use having the better players or saying that you are the favourites before the game.
"We are going to do all we can to make the final in Germany, but we have to keep working very hard and correct the many errors that we continue to make."
Depor will face last season's UEFA Cup champions Porto in the semis and once again have the advantage of playing the second leg at the Riazor in La Coruna, Spain.
"It's going to be a very tough tie because Porto have been in excellent form over the last two years," said coach Javier Irureta, who had pledged to make a pilgrimage to the Galician city of Santiago de Compostela if his team managed to beat Milan.
"I will honour my promise to make the journey to Santiago," he said. "After all, this has certainly been a week of miracles."
More from rediff