The approach to the first leg of a European tie should come labelled with the sort of warning usually found outside schools or at zebra crossings: Stop! Proceed with caution. When the price of failure is so astronomical, it is little wonder that any high-scoring, adventurous football is usually reserved for the return match when the need is greater. The first leg, therefore, is mainly just about treading water to avoid rendering the second tie an uphill struggle, or worse, a foregone conclusion. It perhaps explains why both Rangers and Fiorentina expressed a quiet satisfaction after the scoreless, toothless, rather anaemic draw eked out by the sides at Ibrox on Thursday night. Rangers seemed content with keeping another clean sheet at home. Fiorentina travelled home satisified that they had denied their hosts a first-leg lead.
THOMAS BUFFEL insists that Rangers can reach the UEFA Cup final after battling to a goalless draw with Fiorentina at Ibrox last night. The result leaves the tie delicately poised ahead of the second leg and Buffel, who played the final half hour last night, claims that, should the Italians attack them next week, then they have the
players to pick them off.
David Weir turns 38 four days before the UEFA Cup final. The Rangers vice-captain produced a heroic performance to help perpetuate the possibility of a remarkable belated birthday present.
Our destiny is in our hands. It is hardly the inspiring speech from Gladiator. But David Weir, who is almost old enough to star in the real-life version in a pristine Colosseum, was displaying the defiance of an old warrior yesterday as a series of duels loom.
TWO of Europe’s wiliest old coaches will be in opposing dugouts this evening in the Allianz Arena, where Bayern Munich face Zenit St Petersburg at the semi-final stage of the UEFA Cup.
SCOTT FLEMING Rangers' semi-final opponents have a recent past positively stuffed with controversy. That could be considered typical of a major club in Serie A, but Cesare Prandelli's team have their own rather distinctive way of doing things.
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