In the Champions League, Milan started brightly, topping their group after some convincing performances, including a 0–2 win at the Camp Nou against Barcelona; however, they were eventually eliminated in the second group stage when they only managed a draw (while needing a win) in the group's last match against Spanish champions Deportivo La Coruña. With the 2001 Champions League final due to take place at the San Siro, the disappointment was immense, and resulted in the sacking of their 1998–99 title-winning coach Alberto Zaccheroni on 14 March 2001, one day after the draw with Deportivo, with Silvio Berlusconi appointing Milan legend Cesare Maldini as caretaker manager until the end of the season.