Thursdays Soccer – Chris.
UEFA Cup Semi Finals - First Leg.
Bayern Munich - Zenit 1.50 - 8.00
Who has scored most goals in the UEFA Cup this
season? Luca Toni, the Bayern bomber of course, with
ten goals so far.Toni is suspended for this first
leg and his colleague up front, Klose, risks missing
this match as well. Klose could not take part in the
Tuesday training session and he is a major doubt.
The only certain thing is that Podolski will play
from the start in the front line. If Klose should
nor make it, Schlaudraff could be Podolski's partner
up front. Van Bommel has broken his nose and he will
play with some kind of facial mask.
Zenit have also suffered a major set back as their
Russian international defender, Anyukov is out
injured. Great defender and he is also known to
score a goal or two. Ricksen (once a Rangers player)
will come in for Anyukov. Another Russian
international, the defensive midfielder Tymoschuk
is a slight doubt. Pogrebnyak (8 goals so far) and
Arshavin are the Zenit offensive weapons. Zenit are
in poor form on the domestic front with 1-4-1 so
far, eleven points behind the leaders Rubin. A
couple of weeks ago Zenit outclassed another top
club in Germany, Bayer Leverkusen, winning 4-1 in
the first leg. Away from home in Germany. Zenit
played a fantastic game using fast counter attacks
to perfection. They looked dangerous every time they
came forward.
In my opinion the bookmakers have got it all wrong
here. This I thought before I knew about Toni's’
suspension, and quite surprisingly his absence has
not changed the odds, at least not when writing this
preview. My intention is to back the away win
(8.00).
Bayern Munich 1 Zenit 1
Glasgow Rangers - Fiorentina 2.70 -
2.80
Rangers have drawn two of their last three UEFA Cup
home fixtures, 0-0 with Panathinaikos and Sporting
Lisbon, but they nevertheless managed to advance. In
between they won at home to Werder Bremen, 2-0. If
you listen to their coach Smith, it sounds as if
Rangers will once again play a cautious home game.
The main thing according to Smith, is to keep a
clean sheet in your home game. What can I say! It
has worked before against similar opponents. Maybe
Rangers have to play a defensive game this time as
they will be missing several regulars tomorrow.
Barry Ferguson, Thomson, Keeper McGregor and
McCulloch all played in their last cup game at
Sporting but none will be available for this match.
Burke and Naismith would normally come into
contention but they will not be able to play due to
injuries. Sounds like big problems for Rangers.
Fiorentina will be without the suspended Donadel and
the injured Ujfalusi. Kuzmanovic will come in for
Donadel and one of Kroldrup or Dainelli will replace
Ujfalusi. Pazzini will start up front, with Mutu of
course and probably Santana. I was hugely impressed
by the Fiorentina away display against PSV. I never
thought that I would hear about a dominant
Fiorentina performance away from home at this level.
I suggest that Fiorentina will not lose this match.
X2 then!
Rangers 0 Fiorentina 1
Chris.
