Sávio strike boosts Zaragoza
Thursday, 10 March 2005
[1] A late Sávio Bortolini strike gave Real Zaragoza a crucial away goal as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with FK Austria Wien in the first leg of their UEFA Cup last 16 encounter.
Tight contest
[2] The Brazilian scored 16 minutes from time in a tight contest after Austria had led at half-time thanks to a Sigurd Rushfeldt volley, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of next Thursday’s second leg.
Vachoušek boost
[3] Austria were boosted by influential Czech midfielder Štepán Vachoušek's recovery from injury. Meanwhile, Victor Múñoz opted to leave Manuel Calvar Calvar'Capi' out of his starting eleven, even though he scored in the weekend win against Real Racing Club Santander.
Sávio influence
[4] Despite having already beaten Zaragoza 1-0 in this season's UEFA Cup group stage, Austria were second best in the early stages. Sávio was particularly influential for the visitors and it was the Brazilian who set up David Villa to stab wide before Fernando Soriano forced a good low save from Joseph Didulica on 16 minutes.
Rushfeldt stunner
[5] After riding the early storm, Austria, encouraged forward by an enthusiastic crowd, began to take the game to Zaragoza. Rushfeldt volleyed wide on 24 minutes before Libor Sionko saw an effort deflected just past the post moments later. The pressure told not long after the half-hour as the bounce of the ball on the firm icy surface deceived Gabriel Milito and was picked up by Rushfeldt. The Norwegian seized the opportunity, sending a clinical volley over Luis García.
Close shave
[6] As the home side were still celebrating Zaragoza could have claimed an immediate equaliser, but Luciano Galletti's effort was forced around his near post and into the side-netting by the alert Didulica. Austria survived and began the second half looking to double their advantage. They should have done so eight minutes in when an Ivica Vastic left-wing cross was side-footed over the top by Vachoušek from barely six metres out.
Away goal
[7] Zaragoza sensed the chance to claim that all-important away goal and Sávio got the breakthrough on 74 minutes. Didulica could do nothing about the Brazilian's effort as he drilled the ball in off the far post from a delicious Soriano through-ball. Austria pressed to regain the advantage but failed to create any real threat.