European Competitions

Good results for Spanish teams in European competitions midweek, with wins for Barcelona and Valencia and an away draw for Real Madrid in the Champions League, and victories for Atlético and Mallorca in the UEFA cup. Celta and Deportivo both lost away however. Details were as follows:

Champions League

Group B: AIK Solna 1 - Barcelona 2
Barcelona came back from behind with two goals in the last ten minutes of the match. Van Gaal left Luis Enrique out after an argument over his replacement by Gabri a couple of games ago, and Xavi replaced the injured Guardiola. The Barcelona defence started off shakily, and after 26 minutes Van Gaal decided to take off Bogarde who had already been booked and put on Abelardo. Solna took the lead in the 72nd minute, Novakovic lobbing Hesp from the edge of the area with the Barcelona keeper off his line. Barcelona brought on Dani for Kluivert and Gabri for Xavi and threw everything forward, and they managed to equalise five minutes from time in controversial circumstances. Solna were trying to bring on two substitutes, but French referee Sars allowed Figo to take a corner before the second change had been made. Abelardo came forward and reached the ball before the Swedish defence, his header beating keeper Asper. In the second minute of injury time Barcelona wrapped up the three points, Dani heading Figo's free kick past the despairing Asper for the winner.

Group E: Olympiakos - 3 Real Madrid 3
An exciting match in Athens, with chances for both sides to win before they finally shared the points. Madrid were almost at full strength, with only Balic missing from what theoretically is Toshack's first choice team. Morientes kept his place up front, with Anelka once again on the bench. Ex Barcelona forward Giovanni, now playing his football in Greece, had been involved in bitter interchanges in the Spanish press with fellow Brazilian countryman Roberto Carlos. Both players were inspired on the night, with Giovanni scoring twice and Roberto Carlos scoring one and making another. Giovanni's first came in the tenth minute when he headed in Zahovic's free kick. Madrid drew level through Savio halfway through the first half after a pass from McManaman, and Roberto Carlos gave Madrid the lead from a free kick on the half hour. Olympiakos turned the game around in a period of 3 minutes in the second half shortly after Hierro was forced to leave the field with an ankle injury, Giovanni equalising with a close range shot and Zahovic establishing the lead with a goal from the edge of the area. Olympiakos had not lost in their stadium in four years and they seemed to be heading for victory when Raúl appeared ten minutes from time to turn in Roberto Carlos's cross.

Group F: Valencia 2 - Glasgow Rangers 0
Valencia finally lifted their heads up to win their first match of the season. Cúper changed his diamond shape which he has been using in the league, opting to play four midfield players in line to suffocate the Scottish attack, with Albelda and Gerard in the centre and Mendieta and Kily González wide. The move worked, and Cañizares was given little work in the first half. The first goal came in the second half, when Moore turned Juan Sánchez's cross into his own net when there appeared to be little danger. Rangers came forward and Valencia took advantage to score their second goal sixteen minutes from time, Kily González and Juan Sánchez combining for Kily to hit a good left foot shot past Charbonnier. Several Valencia players were showing signs of the strong physical play of the Scots, and Claudio López is doubtful for the next match against PSV after being taken off twenty minutes from time with injuries to his knee and ankle.

Previous page | Next page
Cover page