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Liverpool loses, Fulham held after grueling trips
Source: Agencies |
April 23, 2010, Friday
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LIVERPOOL'S grueling journey over land took its toll as the five-time European champions lost 1-0 at Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Europa League semifinal yesterday, but Fulham managed a 0-0 draw at Hamburg despite a 17-hour coach trip.
Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan scored after just nine minutes to clinch Atletico's victory over Liverpool, which was annoyed that Yossi Benayoun had a goal ruled out for offside.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez wouldn't blame the 1,200-mile (1,900-kilometer) journey by coach, train and eventually plane after UEFA insisted the match go ahead despite volcanic ash plumes grounding flights across Europe for six days until late Tuesday.
"There was a lot I was not happy about tonight, but I don't think we were too tired," Benitez said. "We go back to Anfield which will be packed with our great fans and we are not out of the match, definitely not."
Showing few affects of its coach trip from London to Germany, Fulham had goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and its solid - and alert - defense to thank for leaving Hamburg, the venue for the May 12 final, without conceding.
"We were a bit tired in the legs, but in the end it's a good performance," Schwarzer said. "We've done fantastically well to limit them to so few chances and it's a really admirable performance that gives us hope for the return leg (next Thursday)."
Atletico was missing striker Sergio Aguero due to suspension and Forlan took his place partnering Jose Manuel Jurado up front. They combined quickly to give the Spanish side the edge.
While Forlan failed to make a clean connection with Jurado's cross with an initial header, the Uruguay forward still managed to tap the ball into the net from close range past Pepe Reina.
"We attacked well, we defended well and we avoided the problems that Liverpool might have made for us," Atletico coach Quique Sanchez Flores said.
Liverpool, which was missing Atletico striker Fernando Torres due to injury, relied on David Ngog to lead the attack.
Dirk Kuyt created a rare Liverpool opening chance in the 18th, feeding a through ball to the unmarked Benayoun, who found the net only to be ruled offside.
Forlan should have scored again at the start of the second half. Jose Antonio Reyes looped a pass over the defense, but instead of rounding Reina, Forlan attempted to lob the Spaniard and his shot was saved.
Reina was Liverpool's savior again minutes later when he deflected over Simao Sabrosa's effort from close range.
"The team didn't play well at all but it is still possible," Reina said. "(The saves were) important to keep the tie alive - there is still a long 90 minutes to go at Anfield.
"We are behind now and it is very difficult but if there is one team who can do it with their fans behind them, it is Liverpool."
Fulham already has knocked out UEFA Cup champion Shakhtar Donetsk, overturned a 4-1 deficit against powerhouse Juventus and ousted Bundesliga winner Wolfsburg, and is now two wins away from claiming its first major title.
And Zoltan Gera could have celebrated his 31st birthday in style but his deflected shot went just wide in the 14th - the best chance for either side in the first half.
The pace picked up after the break and Schwarzer made a trio of fine saves in a short spell, stopping consecutive shots from Jonathan Pitroipa and Piotr Trochowski and then repelling a powerful effort from David Jarolim.
The Australia goalkeeper dived to his right to stop a late effort by substitute striker Mladen Petric, who also fired another shot shortly afterward that went high.
"Maybe we lacked some confidence, we did not take too many risks, but 0-0 is not such a bad result," Hamburg defender Joris Mathijsen said.
"All we need is an away goal really, so it's not such a bad result. We didn't have too many chances, it's not easy to score a goal against this team. They defended well. Maybe we were a bit tired at the end."
Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan scored after just nine minutes to clinch Atletico's victory over Liverpool, which was annoyed that Yossi Benayoun had a goal ruled out for offside.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez wouldn't blame the 1,200-mile (1,900-kilometer) journey by coach, train and eventually plane after UEFA insisted the match go ahead despite volcanic ash plumes grounding flights across Europe for six days until late Tuesday.
"There was a lot I was not happy about tonight, but I don't think we were too tired," Benitez said. "We go back to Anfield which will be packed with our great fans and we are not out of the match, definitely not."
Showing few affects of its coach trip from London to Germany, Fulham had goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and its solid - and alert - defense to thank for leaving Hamburg, the venue for the May 12 final, without conceding.
"We were a bit tired in the legs, but in the end it's a good performance," Schwarzer said. "We've done fantastically well to limit them to so few chances and it's a really admirable performance that gives us hope for the return leg (next Thursday)."
Atletico was missing striker Sergio Aguero due to suspension and Forlan took his place partnering Jose Manuel Jurado up front. They combined quickly to give the Spanish side the edge.
While Forlan failed to make a clean connection with Jurado's cross with an initial header, the Uruguay forward still managed to tap the ball into the net from close range past Pepe Reina.
"We attacked well, we defended well and we avoided the problems that Liverpool might have made for us," Atletico coach Quique Sanchez Flores said.
Liverpool, which was missing Atletico striker Fernando Torres due to injury, relied on David Ngog to lead the attack.
Dirk Kuyt created a rare Liverpool opening chance in the 18th, feeding a through ball to the unmarked Benayoun, who found the net only to be ruled offside.
Forlan should have scored again at the start of the second half. Jose Antonio Reyes looped a pass over the defense, but instead of rounding Reina, Forlan attempted to lob the Spaniard and his shot was saved.
Reina was Liverpool's savior again minutes later when he deflected over Simao Sabrosa's effort from close range.
"The team didn't play well at all but it is still possible," Reina said. "(The saves were) important to keep the tie alive - there is still a long 90 minutes to go at Anfield.
"We are behind now and it is very difficult but if there is one team who can do it with their fans behind them, it is Liverpool."
Fulham already has knocked out UEFA Cup champion Shakhtar Donetsk, overturned a 4-1 deficit against powerhouse Juventus and ousted Bundesliga winner Wolfsburg, and is now two wins away from claiming its first major title.
And Zoltan Gera could have celebrated his 31st birthday in style but his deflected shot went just wide in the 14th - the best chance for either side in the first half.
The pace picked up after the break and Schwarzer made a trio of fine saves in a short spell, stopping consecutive shots from Jonathan Pitroipa and Piotr Trochowski and then repelling a powerful effort from David Jarolim.
The Australia goalkeeper dived to his right to stop a late effort by substitute striker Mladen Petric, who also fired another shot shortly afterward that went high.
"Maybe we lacked some confidence, we did not take too many risks, but 0-0 is not such a bad result," Hamburg defender Joris Mathijsen said.
"All we need is an away goal really, so it's not such a bad result. We didn't have too many chances, it's not easy to score a goal against this team. They defended well. Maybe we were a bit tired at the end."
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