Zenit St Petersburg

Zenit St. Petersburg fans saw quite the spectacle tonight: a 4-0 romping of soccer giant Bayern Munich. 

Zenit advances to the UEFA finals and the right to play Rangers, a Scottish team. After a 1-1 draw in the Allianz Arena in Munich, a surprise in itself, Zenit St. Petersburg dominated the pitch on Thursday night, scored two goals in the first forty-five minutes to gain a tight grasp on the match. 

Pogrebnyak put the home team ahead just four minutes into the contest, with a drive from 22 meters away. Kahn, clearly not at his best, let three subsequent goals past, firmly prompting his march off the field.

This rout now brings a damper on a wonderful season for Bayern Munich, who had been hoping to win the "triple," which consists of a pre season tournament within the Bundesliga, the regular season, and the UEFA-Cup. 

Instead, the Bavarians must settle for the double.

Many Bayern faithful were quite frankly confused after the game, as three key Zenit St. Petersburg players were injured, and the romp still occurred. The drubbing by no means takes away from the amazing season that Bayern has had, however, it has left manager Ottmar Hitzeld searching for answers.

The German club clearly had higher expectations coming into the two-leg affair with Zenit St. Petersburg, especially after many upgrades to the team during the off-season.

For example, Italian Luca Toni, who did not play in the first leg against Zenit due to yellow cards, and Frenchman Franck Ribery. With these two additions, along with German striker Lukas Podolski, the team should have won the UEFA-Cup.

Now, however, Zenit St. Petersburg looks poised and motivated to hold the trophy up high and claim the title away from Rangers by performing well in Manchester, England.

The second leg's of this seasons UEFA Cup semi finals take place on Thursday night, with four teams still looking for European glory.

Rangers travel to Florence where they'll renew their battle with Fiorentina. The sides drew last weeks clash, 0-0 at Ibrox.

The result probably favoured both sides as the Scots fielded a depleted side and Fiorentina were always going to be happy not losing in Glasgow.

The Gers have one major injury concern going into the second leg. David Weir had originally been ruled out with a groin problem but mumblings from Murray Park suggest he may well still feature tomorrow night.

Sunday's 3-2 Old Firm defeat, their second loss to Celtic in 10 days, will effect the players in some way.

The question is, will they roll over at this late stage in the season or will they pick themselves up and come out fighting in Florence?

I predict the latter!

Fiorentina remain confident about their chances of beating Rangers at home. Viola ace, Riccardo Monolivio told the Daily Record "We must explode from the first moment against Rangers. We must put everything into the match."

His team mate Marco Donadel told Sky Sports "We need to go into the game with the same mentality as in Eindhoven (2-0 win), giving all we have right from the start, making Rangers aware that it is going to be difficult for them."

This will be an incredibly interesting tie with Rangers looking for a repeat of their glory in Lisbon, where they won 2-0 and Fiorentina trying to please their home fans.

I shall stick my neck out and say, Rangers on away goals!

The other clash will be an early kick off in Russia between Zenit St Petersburg and Bayern Munich.

Zenit have been in the spot light this week for the wrong reasons after the racist nature of their fans was revealed to the world by their coach Dick Advocaat. They'll be looking to put that behind them as they entertain the German giants.

Bayern travel knowing they have it all to do after last weeks 1-1 draw in Munich. Zenit are ahead on away goals but as Bayern will tell you, so were Getafe, time and time again, but they never gave up.

It should be a cracking tie but I'm going to go with Bayern Munich. After all someone has to back the favourites.

Anyway as a Rangers man, I'd like the Germans in Manchester!

I'm afraid the first round of UEFA Cup semi finals went the same way as the UEFA Champions League, with a couple of dull boring draws.

I'd swear I watched four edgy cup finals this week. Let's hope this means we are in for a couple fantastic finals come May!

I'll start in Germany where Bayern Munich were held to a 1-1 draw by Zenit St Petersburg. Bayern have now not won a game in the competition since hammering Anderlecht 5-0 away in the first leg of the round of 16.

That's four games without a win, and they're not looking like the favourites they were earlier in the competition.

Franck Ribery scored the opener (19) with a rebound from his own penalty. The Germans looked comfortable throughout the first hour, but were upset by a Lucio own goal in the 62nd minute.

There were further problems for Bayern when injured keeper Oliver Kahn was replaced shortly after the equalizer.

Neither team could convert numerous late chances, and this one ended 1-1, with I have to say, Zenit in the driving seat.

Zenit lost at home to Bayer Leverkusen in the last round, but their tie was already dead and buried thanks to Zenit's 4-1 win in Germany. You'd have to expect a different performance at home by the Russians next Thursday.

In the other game, an injury-hit Rangers side held off Fiorentina's advances to secure a 0-0 result at home. The result was exactly what the Scots wanted, and with numerous players returning for the second leg in Florence, Rangers are still in it.

Only one controversial moment in this one, with the referee failing to book Adrian Mutu for a blatantly deliberate hand ball. The Romanian striker clearly tried to score with his hand, and was rightly penalised.

It was a huge let off for Fiorentina, as had he been booked, he would've been sitting out next weeks second leg in Florence.

I'm still eagerly anticipating next weeks European games, and let's hope every team has a go at making up for this weeks bore fest!

After the last two nights, shall we say, boring UEFA Champions League semi finals, I am hoping for fireworks in tonight's UEFA Cup equivalent.

Scottish side Glasgow Rangers host Italians Fiorentina at Ibrox while Russians, Zenit St Petersburg travel to the Allianz Arena in Germany to face the might of Bayern Munich.

I'll start in Scotland where Rangers go into their biggest European tie in 15 years, with injuries and suspensions taking their toll on the would be starting line up.

Back in 1993, Rangers went within inches of reaching their first European Cup Final, in what was an early edition of the UEFA Champions League. Marseille's (yes, they were done for match fixing) all star line up pipped them to the final, despite Rangers remaining unbeaten, and went on to beat AC Milan.

This time around Rangers are without their die hard Captain Barry Ferguson due to suspension. They will also be missing Kevin Thomson (suspended), Lee McCulloch, Chris Burke, Steven Naismith, Charlie Adam as well as inspirational keeper Alan McGregor, all through injury!

To say Rangers will have to dig deep, is an understatement!

Fiorentina must be favourites, but they're doing their best to get their excuses out early.

The pitch, Rangers fighting spirit and hard defenders have all come under the spotlight from Fiorentina, who claim they're still coming to Glasgow for a win.

It will be an exciting encounter and my heart as always, lies with Rangers.

In the nights other tie, Zenit St Petersburg who are on their best ever European run, again travel to Germany. The Russians demolished Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 (4-2 on aggregate) on their last visit and well I'm sure have ago at Bayern Munich tonight.

Bayern scraped past Getafe by the skin of their teeth in the last round, with a 119th minute goal by Luca Toni sending the Germans through on away goals after the tie ended 4-4 on agg.

I expect Bayern vs Zenit to be the tie of the round with Zenit coming out early, looking for that killer blow. We all know as the tie goes on, experience counts!

Just ask Getafe!

So sit back and enjoy the UEFA Cup breathing some life back into this big week of European football. 

Honestly, I don't know where to start. Rangers have beaten Sporting 2-0 in Lisbon and are through to the semi finals of the UEFA Cup!

Last weeks 0-0 first leg result at Ibrox had left this tie wide open, but it was Rangers who took advantage of some slack Portuguese defending to break the hearts of the young Sporting side.

Rangers drafted in Christain Dailly to replace the suspended David Weir in the only change from last weeks first leg. Sporting also made a change to their defence with centre back Periera Gladstone coming into the line up.

The Gers started the game expertly by holding onto the ball and playing some great football. It must be said, the pitch was perfect for it, but good football hadn't really been Rangers forte this season.

In a tight first half both sides had chances but it was Sporting who came closest, striking Alan McGregor's left hand upright!

50% possession for Rangers was telling in how well they were actually playing. I don't remember a European game at home or away this season when they've had that much of the possession. Rangers were playing well.

The light blues didn't start the second half so well however and were penned into their own half for the first 15 minutes. Crucially, Sporting were unable too nick the goal they needed.

Just when it looked like Rangers had decided to sit in for the evening, a long ball bounced over the top of the Sporting defence. Jean Claude Darcheville headed down for Steven Davis who in turn played it back, square across the goal to the Frenchman, who calmly slotted Rangers into the lead!

Rangers were in dreamland! I simply couldn't believe it.

Sporting now needed two goals in the final half hour to topple the men from Glasgow!

Sporting threw the kitchen sink at Rangers and to be honest, came really close on numerous occasions to that equalizing goal. Funnily enough though, Rangers remained calm throughout, just like a team that new their fate.

That fate was well and truly decided in the final minute. Shortly after the Rangers sub Daniel Cousin had a good chance saved, fellow substitute Steven Whittaker won the ball just inside his own half and ran at the Sporting defence.

The young Scot just ran and ran before using Cousins run as a decoy to slip past the last defender and slot home what must surely go down as one of Rangers all time great European goals.

Rangers were in the semi finals!

We have a few problems for the next round as Captain Barry Ferguson picked up a needless booking and will miss the first leg of the semi final at Ibrox. He will be joined on the sidelines by the excellent Kevin Thomson, who also picked up his second yellow card of the latter stages.

Those though are thoughts for another day, Rangers are through!

Apart from Lyon (3-0 win away) earlier this season I don't remember a day when I was more proud of my beloved Glasgow Rangers.

We were class tonight and fully deserved to go through.

In the game Rangers would have been keeping a close eye on, Fiorentina dumped PSV out of the UEFA Cup 2-0 in Eindhoven, with two goals from Adrian Mutu.

Zenit St Petersburg crashed to a 1-0 defeat at home to Bayer Leverkusen. The Russians though still comfortably progressed 4-2 on aggregate.

So Rangers have semi final UEFA Cup action at Ibrox for the first time in 36 years, They welcome Italians Fiorentina to Scotland for the first leg but Rangers surely fear nothing now.

In the immortal words of any true Glaswegian... Mon Then!!!

After a fairly controversial week in the UEFA Champions League, it’s time to look ahead to the business end of the UEFA Cup.

Glasgow Rangers travel to Portugal to meet Sporting Lisbon while Bayern Munich head to Spain with it all to do against Getafe. Zenit St Petersburg, welcome a badly beaten Bayer Leverkusen to Russia while PSV Eindhoven are at home to Fiorentina.

Sporting Lisbon are urging their fans to buy more tickets as Scots start to arrive in the Portuguese capital. The Estadio Jose Alvalade is reportedly, far from sold out, with thousands of Scots making the journey and more than willing to snap up tickets.

The last thing Sporting need is a repeat of the EURO 2008 qualifier between France and Scotland. The Tartan Army took over the ground and cheered Scotland on to a famous 1-0 victory.

Rangers have received a boost for Thursday night’s clash with Carlos Cueller expected to be fit after a bout of flu and Gabonese striker Daniel Cousin, declaring himself fit for selection after recovering from a broken jaw.

Christian Dailly is likely to step in for the suspended David Weir, but the veteran’s absence will still be a major loss to Rangers. However there is a quiet confidence coming from the Rangers camp with the coaching staff and players believing a result is very much possible.

Should Rangers make it through it will be the furthest they have been in the competition for 36 years and with the tie sitting at 0-0, I’m not ruling anything out.

In other games the mighty Bayern Munich meet Getafe and are behind on the away goals ruling, after last weeks shock 1-1 draw in Germany. Getafe have proved to be a thorn in the side of big clubs, with the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid struggling against their La Liga rivals.

I therefore wouldn’t bet against Michael Laudrup’s side taking their place in the semi final line up, come full time tomorrow night, but Bayern will know what they have to do and as we all know, are more than capable of winning in Spain.

PSV are at home to Fiorentina following last weeks 1-1 draw in Italy. The Dutch side must be favourites to progress but this one will be tight. Tottenham Hotspur came to the Philips Stadium in the last round and won 1-0 so there is still a chance for the Viola.

I’m with PSV on this one as I just can’t see Fiorentina winning in Eindhoven. Anyway Rangers have a good European record against the boys in red and white.

The last match is already dead and buried as far as I’m concerned after Zenit’s terrific 4-1 win in Leverkusen last week. Bayer have it all to do in St Petersburg and I can’t imagine a more unfriendly place to go and do it.

If you thought Bayer were caught cold last week? Then think again.

So there we have it, another great night of UEFA Cup action awaits us.

Therefore as usual, I’ll remind you that quality European football doesn’t finish on Wednesday night after the Champions League games, but continues all the way to Thursday night with the UEFA Cup!