soccer-europe.com

27 October 1999

MARIBOR 1-2 DYNAMO KYIV

Rebrov put the finishing touches to a superb move with a blistering volley. Farcical defending by Dynamo gifted Balajic an equaliser. Kaladze got a penalty and a perfect 10 for a dive, Rebrov converted.

Attendance : 9,500


LAZIO 1-1 LEVERKUSEN

By Tim Leidecker

Bayer coach Christoph Daum and a German interviewer were joking before the game that Leverkusen had played brilliantly in the Champions League so far but didn't get good enough results out of it so they should try to reverse that and that's exactly what happened. Still in the first minute a corner by Mihajlovic couldn't be cleared by the Bayer defense and Nedved poked the ball across the line from the resulting goalmouth scramble. It took Leverkusen 20 minutes to digest the shock and create equal possession.

Just before the half time break substitute Markus Happe who came on for the injured Gresko broke through on the left wing and centred the ball for Kirsten who used his goal getter instinct to tap the ball in. Laziowho had just relaxed and not done anything of note after their goal now had problems to get back into the game. Leverkusen forced them to play their kind of game and didn't allow much more chances. As both teams were content with the result the game rippled on 'til the end.

Bayer now has to hope for Lazio not to stay undefeated in the Champions League when the Laziali take on Dynamo in Kiev next week. Another amazing thing in this game was how Emerson dominated Veron again. "Emma" now clearly has to seen on a level with players like Keane, Davids or Petit. No surprise Roma, Lazio and Atletico de Madrid have offered $M20 for him.

Attendance : 30,000


19 OCTOBER 1999

DYNAMO KYIV 4-2 LEVERKUSEN

By Tim Leidecker

Leverkusen played a superb game, dominating possession as usual (should have been around 60%, they were really playing like a home side) and wouldn't it have been for some poor finishing, injuries to first choice defenders Kovac & Gresko as well as dubious referee calls (again!) the Bayer-boys should have walked off clear winners.

Dinamo got off to the better start though, Kossovskyi had no trouble finishing from Rebrovs low cross. B04 equalized only 8 minutes later, Emerson headed onto goal from Beinlichs free kick, Shovkovskyi could only clear the ball to the front where Kirsten was waiting to put back the rebound. At 36 minutes Bayer again had a defensive blackout. Guerassimenko intercepted a pass by Emerson, raced the length of the pitch and fed Shatskikh with a fantastic throughball and as 4 Bayer-defenders were appealing for offside the Dinamo attacker rounded Matysek and put the ball into the open net.

It took Leverkusen only 4 minutes into the 2nd half to react. Ramelow put through Neuville who fired the ball into the left bottom corner. Bayer continued to push for the third goal and had no trouble keeping Kyiv out of the game until the hour break when the ref decided to let the home team have a free kick on the edge of the area despite clear ball winning by Bayer: Substitute Iachkin curled the ball against the right post, Holovko converted the rebound with a diving header. Keeper Matysek didn't look very convincing on that one. The visitors kept attacking and were rewarded with a penalty when Holovko and Vaschuk sandwiched Neuville in the box but Shovkovskyi made up for his earlier blunder with a great save from Beinlichs although weak attempt. As Bayer still didn't give up attacking Dinamo was presented a couple of good chances on counterattacks and they proved that they are still - even without Shevchenko - one of the best teams on the break when Vaschuk headed in Iachkins cross. Bialkevich then even had a 1 on 1 opportunity with Matysek but blew it.

After losing this "6-point-game" Leverkusen now basically has to win both of their remaining games (at Lazio and at home against Maribor) to make the 2nd round because Dinamo are now back in it and will seek revenge next week in Maribor plus Lazio might not give 100% in their last game as they are virtually qualified.

Attendance : 40,000


29 SEPTEMBER 1999

LAZIO 4-0 MARIBOR

Inzaghi and Conceicao began the rout in the second half. Veron found Mancini in the box with a trademark laser precision pass, Mancini hit a beautiful first time chip to the far post and Salas powered a header down past the 'keeper and grabbed his second with a volley from Inzaghi's cross.

Attendance : 33,000


LEVERKUSEN 1-1 DYNAMO KYIV

By Tim Leidecker

Robson Ponte played a perfect throughball to Ramelow and the "big blond dude" moved the ball on to Kirsten who put it in the back of the net. Leverkusen made a single mistake all game long and paid for it: Keeper Matysek mishit a backpass and the ball went out of bounds. Dinamo quickly threw the ball back in and while Bayers defense was still sleeping Dmytrulin crossed to Husin who scored with a precise shot. Emerson wasn't as strong as usual for Bayer but Nowotny again had a hell of a match and should be at Nesta level by now.

Attendance : 22,500 (sold out)

Too many draws, although one draw ruled (the Hertha one), one was OK (the Dortmund one), one was acceptable (the Leverkusen one) but one really sucked (Bayern).

22 SEPTEMBER 1999

LAZIO 2-1 DYNAMO KIEV

Rebrov gave Kiev a shock lead from the penalty spot after Mihajlovic made zero contact with Konovalov. Negro headed in Mihajlovic's cross and Salas won the match with a fierce volley.

Attendance : 45,000

14 SEPTEMBER 1999

BAYER LEVERKUSEN 1-1 LAZIO

Neuville gave Leverkusen the lead with a sweet volley from Schneider's cross. Mihajlovic smashed a free kick in off the post to give Lazio a share of the points. An awful match with few moments of drama. In his infinite wisdom Eriksson left Nedved, Sergio Conceicao, Inzaghi and Salas on the bench.

Attendance : 22,500