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MIDDLESBROUGH v STEAUA BUCHAREST - BRIGGSY'S ANALYSIS
They say that lightning doesn't strike in the same place twice but on Thursday we proved that theory wrong, thanks to the Italian gladiator Massimo Maccarone.
Steve McClaren opted for the same formation that had played against West Ham in the FA Cup semi-final, with Viduka and Jones being the only changes made.
After the massive build up to the game, the players finally got a chance to get down to business. Not only was the atmosphere phenomenal in a packed Riverside Stadium, but what bigger incentive could the players need than the giant card display in the North Stand spelling out "Eindhoven 2006"? That made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end so I can only imagine what message it sent to the players.
After a slow start it was Steaua who hit the ground running. They played like a typical European side, with good technique and decisive attacking play. We didn't seem to settle at all, our passing seemed uneasy and we couldn't get a foothold in the game. And before we knew it we were two down! The first was from Dica, who made up for an earlier miss in the second minute. Marin attempted a wild shot from the left that Jones could only parry out and Dica was on hand to slide past the defender and slot the ball home from seven yards.
The second came eight minutes later. A corner from Bostina picked out Goian, whose downward header was again parried by Jones. Parnaby attempted to clear but only managed to play it back to Goian. The defender took a touch and blasted it through a sea of players and into the back of the Boro net. Nightmare! At this moment our season seemed to be flashing before our very eyes. Everyone's face around me was distraught as it looked like we would be going out of two semi-finals in a matter of days.
To make matters worse, the rock that is Gareth Southgate picked up a hamstring injury and was replaced by Basel hero Massimo Maccarone. But instead of a weakness, this proved to be a strength, as it was from here our fight back began.
Maccarone was only on the field a matter of minutes before he had the ball in the back of the net. Viduka picked up the ball midway in the Steaua half and played in Maccarone on the right. With keeper and defender closing in, the Italian stroked the ball between the two and into the goal, sending the Boro fans into raptures. Surely not again was playing on the minds of every Boro fan.
Five minutes later we had the chance to make the score even on the night and again Massimo was involved. The Italian cut in from the right and passed the ball to Hasselbaink. The Dutchman put Viduka through but the Steaua keeper made an excellent save. Before the half was out Taylor and Viduka both had decent chances, and it was no wonder that the Steaua fans were desperately whistling for the end of the first forty-five.
A big team talk was now needed and again McClaren came up trumps, inspiring his players on to a phenomenal comeback. Minutes into the second half Viduka controlled a high ball that had been lofted forward by Downing. The Aussie hit a first time shot with his left on the turn and Carlos got down well to save it. At this stage Steaua seemed happy to stick everyone behind the ball as if to say 'come on then show us what you've got'. This, and our steel determination, proved to be Steaua's downfall.
Hasselbaink went very close to getting our second from a Maccarone cross but the breakthrough did come a minute later. Downing received the ball wide left about midway inside the Steaua half. He looked up, took a touch and played an immaculate ball for Viduka who headed the ball past the onrushing keeper and into an empty net. I think at this point everyone in the ground believed we could do it. Chants of 'two more, we only want two more' rang out around the stadium.
It was all hands to the pump for Steaua now as they packed even more men behind the ball, in an attempt to keep out the relentless Boro. Rochemback had a cracking long range effort from his left foot, but it sailed just over the Steaua crossbar. It would have been some goal.
We levelled the score on aggregate with a quarter of an hour to go and the
goal came from an unlikely hero. A throw in from the right eventually found
Downing on the left. Stuey fired the ball back across goal and the keeper could only parry it into the path of Riggott. The centre back somehow fumbled the ball into the back of the net. What a turnaround! At one moment it looked like our season was over, now with fifteen minutes to go we were back from the dead and now had the momentum to go on to win the tie.
After constant pressure from Boro, lightning struck again in the ninetieth minute. I haven't seen a Boro goal celebrated like this ever. Downing made great headway down the left and lashed in another great ball. Massimo Maccarone rose at the back post like a gladiator and powered the ball home. Dear God how good was this? It was like a dream. And in many ways it still is.
But it wasn't over just yet. Steaua went down the other end with Dica, the first half goal scorer, and had a good chance at goal themselves. The day was saved by Ugo, who managed to fling himself at the ball and somehow put it behind for a corner. Steaua had a close range free kick deep in stoppage time that I don't think no one could watch. I know that I certainly couldn't. Gladly the free kick went wide. The final whistle signalled the start of mass celebrations at the Riverside. Dear me, it doesn't get much better than this!
You just can't make this stuff up. You get games like this once in a lifetime and we've had two inside a matter of weeks. We've now progressed to the final of a major European cup. This is an amazing achievement for just a small town in Europe.
We've now got a date with destiny on the 10th of May. I'm sure we'll have a great away following and those left behind will have a big party of their own. The whole nation will be behind us no doubt, why wouldn't they be after we have produced two breathtaking games for the British public?
What a great time to be a Boro fan! We're rubbing shoulders with Europe's elite. It really doesn't get much bigger than this. I'm still riding on the wave from last night and I'm sure the whole of Teesside is too.
Steve McClaren's Red & White Army.
NOW HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE NEW HOLGATE MESSAGE BOARD
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