Lucio ( o.g. ) 1-1
Zenit grab Priceless Away goal in Munich
A Lucio own-goal cancelled out Franck Ribéry's early opener in a thrilling encounter at the Allianz-Arena...
Zenit St Petersburg have given themselves a huge opportunity to reach their first ever UEFA Cup final by holding Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena this evening.
Frank Ribery had given the Germans the lead with a rebounded penalty in a first half largely dominated by the more experienced and accomplished Bayern side.
Dick Advocaat rallied his troops at the half-time break however, and Zenit produced a genuinely first-rate second half showing. Andrei Arshavin and Viktor Fayzulin were at the heart of all the Russians attacking play and it was the latter’s left wing cross on the our that forced the hitherto imperious Lucio into an own goal.
The Brazilian headed past the hapless Oliver Kahn who himself was replaced through injury shortly after. The veteran may be now doubtful for the return leg in Russia.
The visitors pegged their hosts back as the game progressed but the ever lively Frank Ribery provided a palpable threat every time he had possession. He was let down however, by mis-firing team-mates as Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski struggled to impose themselves on the encounter.
Podolski missed a glorious chance in injury time as he skewed wide after Lucio’s free-kick but ultimately, Zenit did enough to give themselves a fighting chance in the return leg at home.
First Half:
Zenit’s indifferent league form has been the reason for much consternation around the club of late and the Russians did not do much to help transform their fortunes in the first half.
For long periods throughout the opening period, they were simply limp and their play was leaden -footed. Unwilling to commit forward in open play, Dick Advocaat’s side were reduced to low stake gambles at set-pieces.
Even at that, Bayern looked like picking off their guests whenever the numerical advantage was in their favour or even.
Anatoliy Tymoschuk established Zenit’s approach to their fleet-flooted hosts as soon as the first minute when he clattered Mark Van Bommel prompting the games first stoppage.
Frank Ribery was in scintillating form throughout, the Frechman made life exceedingly difficult for the experienced Fernando Ricksen who relied on Igor Denisov to assist in nullifying the winger, to little avail.
The twinkle-toed assassin was available at every opportunity to provide a clever flick or intelligent pass. He provided both for Ze Roberto on 28 minutes but the Brazilian could not find the requisite deftness to lift his shot past Malafeev.
Ten minutes prior however, and it was Ze Roberto who gave Bayern the chance to take the lead. The midfielder was hacked to the ground by Ricksen before Ribery beat Malafeev from the follow-up to his unsuccessful penalty.
Bayern could and probably should have racked up more than one goal, but their finishing was wayward - Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose being unable to find requisite dexterity in front of goal.
Second Half:
Zenit emerged a team transformed for the second half. Seemingly buoyed by their illustrious hosts’ inability to put their game out of their reach, the Russians set about pegging back Bayern from the first whistle of the period.
Confidence ebbed through veins that had been lacking a tangible pulse during the first half as an increasingly flustered Bayern relied on Lucio and Martin Demichelis to keep the away side at bay.
Phillip Lahm was culpable of positional misdemeanours as Fayzulin became increasingly involved. He fired wide in space on 52 minutes after Schweinsteiger was off target with what could be described, in light of the visitors dominance in possession, as a counter attack.
It was the same player who provide a wicked cross on the hour to force Lucio into the same mistake as John Arne Riise had made 48 hours previously.
Fayzulin reached the by-line and produced a dangerous cross that Lucio stooped to head beyond the helpless Oliver Kahn. The veteran goalkeeper saw his evening cut short not long after as a groin injury saw him replaced by deputy Michael Rensing.
Anatoliy Tymoschuk went close immediately after as the hosts were on the rack. Experience looked like a hinderance as Mark Van Bommel and Ze Roberto found themselves increasingly out of puff from chasing around capable and tidy footballers in the shape of Feyzulin, Arshavin et al.
It was Ze Roberto who managed to scramble clear when Fayzulin breached a flimsy rear guard with ten minutes to play. Rensing was inept in his handling as the Russians scrambled inside the Bayern area, luckily the Brazilian was on hand to boot clear.
The home side chased a winner as the game edged towards its pulsating climax, permitting the teams to slug out the contest at either end. Consecutively, Arshavin whizzed tow long range volleys narrowly wide before Podolski had the best opportunity to snatch the victory.
Lucio, auxiliary captain, striker and dead-ball expert fired a free kick into the area, it ping-ponged its way to Podolski who skewed wide with his less-favoured right foot.
The value of the away goal cannot be stated for Advocaat’s side. On this showing, it was no more than they deserved. Bayern will be made to lick their wounds but will be inspired by the returing Luca Toni in the second leg to boost a listless attack.
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