Lippi Frustrated After Deportivo Stalemate
TURIN, Italy, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Juventus coach Marcello Lippi was left frustrated after his side were held to a goalless draw by Deportivo Coruna in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Alessandro Del Piero saw a 73rd minute penalty saved by Spanish goalkeeper Francisco Molina and David Trezeguet hit the post as Juventus were unable to secure a win that would have sent them clear top of the tightly-balanced Group D.
'We had maybe four chances to win it tonight but to be honest we didn't really shine out there,' Lippi said.
'These are difficult games in the Champions League, especially in a closely-balanced group like this.
'We had two different approaches to the game but they practically closed the door for much of the match.'
Juve head the group on goal difference but with all four teams on four points from three games, after Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal drew 1-1, Lippi was disappointed his side could not take the chance to go two points clear.
'In practice we are top of the group but we had an important opportunity here and we did not make the most of it.
'But we take it on from here and we won't make a drama out of this.
'We have put in some very good performances in recent weeks but even though we were less than brilliant, we still came out of it on equal terms.'
Lippi refused to blame Del Piero for the failure to convert the penalty, preferring to praise Molina for his save.
Less than 10,000 supporters turned out at the Delle Alpi stadium for the game, but Lippi said the fans in La Coruna in the return fixture next week could expect a different game.
'I think Deportivo will play another way at home, although their style is always to keep the ball. But I expect there will be more space for us to play next week.'
Deportivo boss Javier Irureta was disappointed with the way his side almost let Juve steal the points in the latter stages.
'We did well in the first half but after the break we gave them too much space and we paid for that with the penalty -- we gave the ball away in our own half and Juventus are dangerous in those situations,' said Irureta.
The Spanish coach was reluctant to predict the impact of the result in terms of qualification for the quarter-finals.
'We have three games left and two of those are at home. I don't know if I am satisfied with this result or not. But it is not easy to get a result away to Juventus,' said Irureta.
