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MIDDLESBROUGH v SEVILLA - BRIGGSY'S ANALYSIS
After what it seemed an age of build up the big day finally arrived.
Every
Boro fan was looking forward to the game with eager anticipation and
hope and despite the final result we can hold our heads firmly aloft.
It was McClaren's last game and he opted for a conventional 4-4-2 line
up. The
team was; Schwarzer, Parnaby, Southgate, Riggott, Queudrue, Morrison,
Boateng, Rochemback, Downing, Viduka and Hasselbaink.
Both teams had a nervous start but it was Sevilla who settled better
and
took hold of the game. First blood went to Sevilla after just three
minutes.
Full back Alves hit a powerful drive from outside the box that flew
inches
wide.
Our best chance of the half came soon after, a free kick from the
right hand side of the penalty box was taken by Rochemback. The
Brazilian
smacked it across the wall, the Sevilla keeper Palop could only parry
it
back into the danger zone but winger Adriano was on hand to clear the
danger.
We were finding it difficult to create anything in the final third, the
link
between the midfield and the attack was none existent and this was
frustrating us. Sevilla knocked the ball about very well and they
dominated
the midfield.
Sevilla made the breakthrough on twenty-seven minutes. An exquisite
deep
cross from Alves found the head of Brazilian Fabiano, he guided the
ball
into the back of the net with the aid of the post. Schwarzer had no
chance.
Rather than us looking for an equaliser it was Sevilla who enjoyed
lengthy
spells of pressure. We were lucky to go in at the break only the single
goal
behind. The first half was a non event as far as we were concerned, we
just
didn't settle and the nerves of the players showed. But as we had
proven on
our excellent adventure to the final, you just don't write the Boro
off.
Hopes were boosted with the introduction of comeback king Massimo
Maccarone.
We started brighter in the second half but it was Sevilla who created
the
first real chance of the half five minutes in. A curing shot from
Adriano
went agonisingly wide.
But a minute later came one of the defining
moments
of the tie. A Rochemback free kick was headed back across goal by
Riggott to
a free Mark Viduka. But the Aussie's powerful drive was saved by the
feet of
keeper Palop. What a chance! Maybe placement over power would have been
the
better option. Minutes later a Massimo cross come shot had to be palmed
over
by the Sevilla keeper but nothing came from the corner.
The game was starting to open up a little. A forward run from
Rochemback
drew a foul from David. It was at a good angle and clearly Hasselbaink
fancied it. Jimmy hit a curling shot that cleared the wall but also the
bar,
it was close mind. Yakubu was introduced with twenty minutes to go. We
had four
strikers on again just like against Steaua and Basel but this time
there was
going to be no miraculous turnaround. In fact, quite the opposite.
The final defining moment of the game from our point of view came
fifteen
minutes from time. Viduka was clattered from behind by Navarro but the
German referee waved play on. For me it was a stonewall penalty and if
it
was outside the box it would have been a foul, so why shouldn't the
same
apply for inside the box?
The referee I thought had a nightmare and he
fell
for the antics of the diving Spaniards. You need decisions like this to
go
in your favour at times like this, but sadly we had used up all our
lives.
Sevilla got their second with twelve minutes to go. A Kanoute shot was
parried by Schwarzer and fell kindly for Marseca who made no mistake.
It was
hard to take but in all fairness it was the lead Sevilla deserved. We
had to
push forward in search for a glimmer of hope but all hope was put to
bed
with six minutes to go. It was Marseca again who broke the hearts of
all
Boro fans, a left foot volley rattled the back of the net.
Bad went to worse in the final minute. Schwarzer did well to save from
Marseca but the rebound fell kindly for Kanoute who had the simple job
of
slotting home from close range. The result was hard to take but in all
fairness we were second best throughout. We were beaten by a far
superior
team.
We gave it our best shot but it wasn't to be. Had Viduka converted his
chance or the referee award that blatant penalty this match report may
have
been completely different, but that's the cruel side of football. But we
can
have no complaints about the final result. Let's not mourn what we've
lost, let's celebrate what we've achieved.
There's no shame in losing in the final, no matter how disappointed you
are.
It's a great achievement for the club get to a major European final.
We've
had some great European nights in our last two seasons, memories that
will
stick in the minds of Teessiders forever. We've done the good name of
Middlesbrough incredible justice in Europe and next time you're on the
continent and someone asks where you're from you can say Middlesbrough
with
pride.
It maybe not have been the note McClaren would have liked to leave on,
but
he can leave the club with his head firmly held aloft. During his
tenure
here he's brought great success to the club and has left the club in a
fantastic position. If the next manager achieves
what
McClaren has in the last five years, I'll be delighted.
BACK TO UEFA CUP FINAL MATCH PROGRAMME INDEX
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