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Yesterday (Thursday) the first UEFA Cup quarter-final matches were played. Two matches ended in a draw, while "Valencia" gained the biggest advantage before the second-leg matches by defeating "Bordeaux" 2-1 away.
1-2
18' (1-0)
74' (1-1)
87' (1-2)
Winning these away matches, the second-placed team of the Spanish championship, "Valencia," gained a significant advantage over the upcoming return matches at home. Despite playing without their leaders Pablo Aimar and Vicente, the Spanish team conceded a goal in the 18th minute after a successful penalty kick by Riera. However, the situation on the field changed in the 27th minute when the opponent's defender Mavuba was sent off the field by the referee. At the end of the match, "Valencia" took the lead - in the 74th minute, Baraja combined well with Sissoko and equalized the score with a strong shot, and three minutes before the end of regular time Rufete sent the ball into the net from a rebound.
1-1
9' (0-1)
65' (1-1)
In these matches, the clear favorites were considered to be the Spanish giants, who eliminated the Scots in the round of 16, however, the situation on the field was different. In the 9th minute, Juan Roman Riquelme from "Barcelona" took a corner kick and the ball reached Roger, who made a great pass to Josico in the penalty area, and with a precise header, he put his team ahead. In the second half, Henrik Larsson knocked the ball out of the hands of the "Villarreal" goalkeeper Reina and sent it into the net, but the referee disallowed this goal due to an illegal challenge on the goalkeeper. After this episode, the Scots did not give up, and in the 64th minute, Henrik Larsson, the most productive player of "Celtic," equalized the score after a long pass from Didier Agathe. These draws are more advantageous for the Spanish team, as they scored an away goal and have an advantage in the return leg at the "El Madrigal" stadium in a week.
1-1
15' (1-0)
45' (1-1)
Jermaine Jenas saved "Newcastle's" hopes to fight for the UEFA Cup. Although in the 15th minute, after a precise shot by the Serbian Kezman from about 18 meters, the Eindhoven team took the lead. Jermaine Jenas scored the equalizing goal with a header in added time of the first half. Both teams had many chances to score, but the result remained 1-1. After the match, the most productive player of the "Newcastle" team, Alan Shearer, said: "Jermain's away goal is crucial for us."
1-0
47' (1-0)
A kind of sensation was recorded in Marseille, where the local team won against the Italian football giants Milan's "Inter." Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba was the main weapon of "Marseille" throughout the match and scored the only goal of the match at the beginning of the second half. After that, the French team had several very good chances to double or even triple their lead. After the match, "Marseille" coach Anigo said: "We demonstrated great play and could have scored one or two more goals. I hope we won't have to pay dearly for these missed opportunities in the return match." It is worth mentioning that due to the yellow card received in yesterday's match, the hero of this match Didier Drogba will not be able to play in the return leg.
