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On Tuesday in Kaunas, the second stage qualifying match of the UEFA Champions League took place, where the Lithuanian champions FBK "Kaunas" valiantly resisted the most powerful European club of the previous season, "Liverpool".
S.Dariaus and S.Girėno stadium, 8300 spectators
FBK 1 - 3
21' [1 - 0] Giedrius Barevičius
27' [1 - 1] Djibrill Cisse
30' [1 - 2] Jamie Carragher
54' [1 - 3] Steven Gerrard (pen.)
"Kaunas": Kurskis; Bagužis, Zelmikas, Manchkhava, Kančelskis; Pacevičius (45' Petrenko), Barevičius (71' Papečkys), Poderis, Tamošauskas (87' Mačiulis); Rimkevičius, Klimek
"Liverpool": Reina; Josemi, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise; Potter (63' Garcia), Gerrard (60' Sissoko), Alonso, Zenden; Cisse, Crouch (75' Morientes)
Although "Liverpool" players were clear favorites before the match, "Kaunas" actively started the game, not allowing the English team to take the initiative. The Kaunas team played confidently in defense and counterattacked dangerously.
After one of such counterattacks broke through on the right flank, deceived the "Liverpool" defender, and successfully passed the ball to Giedrius Barevičius, who delighted the fans of Kaunas Dariaus and Girėno stadium by scoring against the English goalkeeper and putting his team ahead.
However, after the goal, Kaunas got slightly shaken and started to make mistakes in defense, which "Liverpool" immediately took advantage of - in the 27th minute, after a header pass from Peter Crouch, Kaunas defender Mindaugas Bagužis failed to stop Djibrillo Cisse who scored for the visitors.
Just three minutes later, the "Liverpool" captain Steven Gerrard successfully took a corner, and after his header pass, Jamie Carragher of the away team struck precisely.
With the score now at 1-2, Kaunas again increased the activity in the game and had several opportunities to equalize. One of the most impressive Lithuanian attacks was at the end of the second half when after an excellent pass, Eimantas Poderis struck the ball beautifully, but slightly inaccurately.
As the half approached its end, D. Cisse had another 100% chance to score, but his shot was cleared off the goal line by Irmantas Zelmikas.
"Liverpool" started the second half more actively again, and barely ten minutes in, M. Bagužis brought down a "Liverpool" player in the penalty box, and the resulting penalty kick was successfully converted by S. Gerrard, scoring his sixth goal in the Champions League knockout stages in three matches.
For the remainder of the match, neither team was able to score, so the match ended 1-3, meaning that FBK "Kaunas" valiantly resisted the renowned "Liverpool" club, not only avoiding a thrashing but also scoring a goal against the English side.
After the match, "Kaunas" coach Aleksandras Piskariovas expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance.
"We showed everything we could. Clearly, they are a good team, every change they make only strengthens the team. It was very tough, especially in the last 15 minutes," said the "Kaunas" strategist.
Meanwhile, Rafael Benitez stated after the match that he always believed in his team and was pleased with the result.
"The most important thing for me is the result. We could have scored a few more goals, but it didn't work out for us. After conceding a goal, I was a bit worried, but for a minute, I didn't stop believing in my team," said Benitez. - "Before these matches, I knew nothing about Lithuania and its football, but now I have a little knowledge. Talking about the game of Kaunas players, the defenders and strikers of "Kaunas" left the best impression on me."
