Porto 0 Deportivo 0
Porto and Deportivo Coruna fought out a 0-0 stalemate in a tense but disjointed Champions League semi-final, first leg at the Estadio Do Dragao tonight.
There was plenty of commitment but fluent play and scoring chances were at a premium, while a bad-tempered game ended on a low note for Deportivo with the dismissal of defender Jorge Andrade in the 87th minute for a petulant kick on forward Deco Souza.
The Spaniards had the best chance of the first half when their Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani volleyed wide of the post from 10 metres in the ninth minute after Manuel Pablo had chipped a pass into the area after a corner.
But it was Porto who began to dominate possession, although the nearest they came to a goal was when a Carlos Alberto cross ricocheted off defender Noureddine Naybet's foot and spun over the bar eight minutes from the break.
Defences continued to have the upper hand in the second half but Porto had the best chances to win, midfielder Maniche Ribeiro hitting the bar with a dipping drive and substitute Edgaras Jankauskas skimming the post with a late header.
Tuesday's semi-final saw a more decisive result with Monaco taking a major step towards the final in Gelsenkirchen, Germany on May 26th with a 3-1 victory at home to Chelsea.