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STEAUA TO SNUFF OUT BORO HOPES 27-4-06
By David John of Betting Zone
It is Thursday so that must mean the continuing epic that is Middlesbrough's campaign in the UEFA Cup.
Steve McClaren's men have defied the odds in the past weeks to reach this stage and one more monumental push is required for them to achieve the promised land of a place at the final in Eindhoven on May 10.
They trail Steaua Bucharest 1-0 from the first leg in Romania and the Teessiders must once again produce the goods 'FC Basle-style' in front of their own fans at the Riverside.
But they find themselves with backs against the wall.
First up, the crushing blow of losing their FA Cup semi-final against West Ham on Sunday.
Having competed well in the first period, recent exertions (two matches over Easter plus the trip to Romania) took their toll as the Hammers had the legs of them after the break.
Secondly, in-form 'keeper Mark Schwarzer is out for the rest of the season after fracturing a cheekbone.
His competent compatriot Brad Jones takes over but Shwarzer's absence leaves a big void.
In terms of their FA Cup loss, Boro can respond in two ways.
It could be a case of all those fixtures finally catching up with them and their season will fizzle out to a backdrop of more disappointment.
Or they could be hellbent on making amends.
"It will make us extra determined," said defender Chris Riggott.
"We felt how disappointing it was on Sunday - it was the lowest I've ever felt coming off a football pitch - and I'll be determined not to feel like that again."
After fighting back from a three-goal deficit to eliminate Basle in the last round, bookmakers are not taking many chances and make Boro 6/5 to progress.
Steaua certainly had enough of last week's encounter to feel they should be more than one goal up but will be without Banel Nicolita and Sorin Paraschiv, who both picked up yellow cards.
They are a side that can keep the ball very well and break at pace and having had the luxury of resting up to six players over the weekend, should be more than ready to stake their their claim for the final.
It is defensively which just about sways the argument for me.
They have conceded only three goals to date in the competition and just a paltry 12 from 22 games domestically.
That looks the sort of form to frustrate the home side's front line.
All things considered then, Steaua make decent appeal at 8/11 to go through and unfortunately leave a Boro side with nothing to show for some valiant endeavour.
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