#9 The pass – Enrique Romero To Walter Pandiani
The game – 2004, Deportivo La Coruna vs AC Milan
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The story – It was the Champions League quarter final in 2004-05. In the first leg at the San Siro, a ruthless AC Milan side, the defending champions of Europe, tore apart Spanish minnows Deportivo La Coruna beating them 4-1 with a brace from Kaka and goals from Andriy Shevchenko and Andrea Pirlo. Milan had a 3-0 aggregate lead going into the next leg at Estadio Riazor in A Coruna.
Before the game, Deportivo’s coach Javier Irureta said, "This is, of course, a very complex, difficult and challenging task. But in football miracles often happen, things that you might not expect from the rational mind. Milan are one of the best teams in the world and they won the first leg by three goals, but in football, there is always hope for those who are determined, and my players will all be very determined."
Deportivo were down and out in the first leg but playing at home was certainly a huge lift. With the crowd pensive yet buzzing with hope of the unthinkable, In the first five minutes Enrique Romero the left back received the ball on the left flank. Instead of crossing the ball aerially, something which the Milan defence of Maldini and Nesta were expecting, Romero drilled a low pass straight to striker Walter Pandiani.
Pandiani then with his back to goal, took a good touch and immediately swivelled and unleashed a left-footed shot towards the bottom corner before Maldini could block. Pandiani beat Dida and scored what would be the vital goal that put Deportivo 1-0 up and re-kindled hope amongst his teammates. Deportivo went on to win the game 4-0, knocking out the champions AC Milan.
Goals from Juan Carlos Valeron, Albert Luque, and Fran, would ensure Deportivo created history as the first ever side to overcome a 3-0 first leg deficit and go through to the next round.
