UEFA Cup First-Leg Semi-Final Preview
23/4/2008
Author: J Beith
Glasgow Rangers are Britain’s sole survivors in this year’s competition and the Scottish club have a difficult task on their hands when they meet Fiorentina in the Semi-final first leg at Ibrox tomorrow. Rangers have been rocked with injuries and suspension for this game with Lee McCulloch. Charlie Adam, Chris Burke, Steven Naismith and goalkeeper Allan Mc Gregor all missing through injury and Kevin Thomson and inspirational captain Barry Ferguson unavailable due to suspensions.
The loss of both Ferguson and McGregor will put a huge dent in Rangers chance of winning the tie as both have been in outstanding form in the competition so far. Goalkeeper McGregor has produced match winning saves throughout the competition and has been a major factor in their progress in the UEFA Cup and although stand-in keeper Neil Alexander is an able deputy, his lack of European experience must be a worry to Walter Smith.
With Rangers missing so many key players Fiorentina must travel to Glasgow with high hopes of getting a positive result. Fiorentina are very good going forward and unlike many Italian teams they tend to be more open in their play and won’t just come to defend, they will be looking for an away goal and will put the Rangers defence under pressure.
Walter Smith has used a lone striker in all the European games so far to good effect and it would be a major surprise if he changed his tactics for this game. Rangers have yet to lose a goal at home in the UEFA Cup this season, but have only scored four goals in their six matches and only managed two home wins. Fiorentina’s away record in the competition is played 5, won 2, drawn 2, lost 1, having scored five times and conceding four. As you can see from the stats neither team gives much away and it may well pay to bet on the draw available at 21/10 (Paddy Power and others). The 7/1 being offered by Sportingbet for a 0-0 correct score is also worth considering.
In the other Semi-Final Bayern Munich play hosts to Russian side Zenit St Petersburg. Bayern currently sit 10 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and won the German Cup last weekend beating Borrusia Dortmund 2-1 after extra-time. They have long been the bookmakers’ favourites to win the UEFA Cup and despite a scare in the last round when they only managed to beat Spanish side Getafe on away goals they look to be good enough to see of the challenge of the Russians.
Zenit St Petersburg have been something of a surprise package in this year’s competition. They have already beaten German opposition in the competition when they disposed of Bayer Leverkusen in the last round, after trouncing the German side 4-1 in the away leg. They cannot be underestimated by Bayern as they have a lot of pace in the side and are extremely effective on the counter attack. In striker Andrei Arshavin they have a genuine world class player who will pose Bayern plenty of problems.
Zenit go into the game without a win in their last four league games and that must be a worry to them. Bayern will be without suspended striker Luca Toni who is the leading goalscorer in the competition with 10 goals and he will be sorely missed, but with plenty of European experience in the ranks Bayern should still be able to win the match.
At odds of 1/2 (Ladbrokes) Bayern aren’t great value and a more attractive betting proposition could be Frank Ribery to be the first goalscorer at odds of 7/1 (VCbet)