soccer-europe.com

23 May 2001

PENALTY, PENALTY, PENALTY AND MORE PENALTIES

BAYERN MUNICH 1-1 VALENCIA

80 seconds into the match referee Dick Johl awarded a penalty for handball. Carew muscled his way past Kuffour and centred for Mendieta. Andersson dived to block the shot, several players smothered Mendieta as he tried to shoot and the ball made contact with Andersson's arm as he lay on the floor. Mendieta slammed the ball past Kahn 0-1. Three minutes later Effenberg made the most of a sloppy challenge by Angloma in the box, penalty. Scholl weakly kicked the ball straight down the middle and Canizares saved. Scholl never recovered. The first chance from open play came after 25 minutes. Kahn lauched the ball down filed to Salihamidzic he passed to Elber who manged to get round Pellegrino but, from a tight angle, dragged a shot across the face of goal. Scholl went close from a free kick. Carew should have increased Valencia's lead from Mendieta's free kick but headed wide.

At the start of the second half Albelda came on for Aimar and Jancker came on for Sagnol. Three minutes into the second half another harsh penalty. Elber floated a cross to the back post, Jancker leaned on Carboni and as he fell the ball struck his arm. Effenberg sent Canizares the wrong game. 1-1. Mid-way through the second half Zahovic came on for Sanchez and threarened, albeit briedly, to win the tie. Carew brilliantly managed to squeeze a cross into the box while under pressure from Andersson but Zahovic's first touch allowed Kahn to smother the ball. He then pulled down a marvellous ball from Angloma (the only thing Angloma manged to get right the entire match) but stupidly tried to bend a shot into the top corner. In injury time Jancker blasted a shot over the bar.

In the second period of extra time Kily Gonzalez handled in the box but the ref was never going to award a fourth penalty.

Bayern win 5-4 on penalties.

Paulo Sergio - Miss
Mendieta - Scored
Salihamidzic - Scored
Carew - Scored
Zickler - Scored
Zahovic - Saved
Andersson - Saved
Carboni - Saved
Effenberg - Scored
Baraja - Scored
Lizarazu - Scored
Kily Gonzalez - Scored
Linke - Scored
Pellegrino - Saved

Canizares was booked for encroching on Zickler penalty, he pulled this stunt during all previous penaties.

Awful final. Valenica played anti-football, everyone got behind the ball and trying to hit on the break. Carew was Valencia's best player. He was the only constant headache for Bayern. Zahovic also played well after coming on as a substitute.

Lizarazu and Salihamidzic were fantastic for Bayern, the only players who consistently managed to pull apart Valencia's miserly defence.

Neither 'keeper had a save to make from open play all match. Angloma should have been sent off for persistent, cynical fouls.

Valencia become the second team in history to loose successive European Cup finals - Juventus were the first. Cuper is the only coach to loose three succesive European finals (Cup Winners Cup V Lazio and the last two European Cup Finals V Real Madrid and Bayern Munich).

Congratulations to Bayern.

Attendance : 80,000