9 MAY 2001

BAYERN MUNICH			2-1			REAL MADRID
Elber 8							Figo 18
Jeremies 35

10 seconds is all it took for Bayern to break through Real's defence. From
the kick-off Elber passed to Scholl and both players drove forward. They
exchanged passes again, Scholl evaded challenges by Hierro and Makelele
before sending a low shot towards goal but Casillas saved. 2 minutes later
Hargreaves stole the ball off Figo and released Elber, with a magnificent
first touch the striker controlled the Canadian/English/German's long pass
instantly and got clear of Hierro but Casillas again came to Real's rescue.
Linke should have been booked for a Koshinaka style butt attack on Guti.
Bayern hit the front from Scholl's corner. Jeremies attacked the cross,
Salgado cleared the ball off the underside of the crossbar, Kuffour flicked
on and Elber headed into the net. Casillas' attempts to claim the ball were
truly pathetic. Figo drew Real level with a marvellous goal. Roberto Carlos
hit a 30yd cross field pass to Raul, he centred and Figo shot first time
past Kahn. Scholl elbowed Salgado, he rolled around on the floor clutching
his face. One of those challenges that looks worse in slow motion. Bayern
sealed a place in the final with a cleverly worked free kick awarded for a
'foul' on diving twat of the year Salihamidzic. Hargreaves 'set' the ball and
with everyone expecting Scholl to shoot he passed to Jeremies who cracked
a low shot inside the post.
 
Salihamidzic wasted a great opportunity on the counter attack. Casillas made
a spectacular save from Linke's header. Elber also went close. Khan didn't
need to bother coming out for the second half. 

Assists : Kuffour, Scholl, Raul
 
Bayern Munich win 3-1 on aggregate


8 MAY 2001

VALENCIA			3-0			LEEDS
Sanchez 15, 46
Mendieta 52

Mendieta, who was disappointing in the first leg, creating the all important
first goal. He picked out Sanchez with a superb right wing cross and the
tiny striker used his arm to beat Martyn at the far post. Valencia sat back
and Leeds threatened to equalise. Dacourt intercepted a loose ball, dribbled
around Albelda and Ayala and with the goal in sight shot weakly at Canizares.
Batty wasted an even better opening following the type of work that made
Viduka one of the most wanted striker in Europe. He was given the ball on
the edge of the box and destroyed Ayala  with a Ronaldo style shuffle then
turned him before sending a cross into the box, Batty couldn't find the
finish to match.

Two goals in the opening seven minutes of the second half ended Leeds
hopes. Aimar played the ball into Sanchez and looked for a return pass,
Sanchez hit what seemed to be a speculative low drive, Martyn was slow to
react and the ball crawled into the net. Aimar released Mendieta on the
counter attack but a horrendous first touch allowed Martyn to claim the ball.
A quickly taken free kick allowed him another opportunity seconds later and
he made no mistake, Martyn again beaten with a low shot inside the post.
The post denied Sanchez a hat-trick. Mendieta and Carew also went close.
Substitute Deschamps got himself a fat lip. Smith was sent off trying to
cripple Vicente.

If UEFA are consistent Sanchez will find himself suspended from the final.
Smith has already been given a three match European ban.

Assists : Mendieta, Aimar, ?

Valencia win 3-0 on aggregated


2 MAY 2000

LEEDS				0-0			VALENCIA

In the third minute Harte sent one of his trademark kicks towards the top
corner of the net but Canizares, who was perfectly positioned, tipped the
ball to safety. Martyn was tested minutes later, making an excellent stop
from Carew's spectacular overhead kick! Mendieta headed against the post
following a goal mouth scramble. Bowyer fouled Sanchez, kicked him in the
back and then had the nerve to offer him a hand up! Lucky the ref didn't see
it. Smith wasted a 100% chance by heading wide from close range. Juan
Sanchez latched onto Ferdinand's hospital pass and smashed a volley toward
the bottom corner but Martyn brilliantly saved.

Desperate defending by Valencia kept Leeds at bay in the second half.
Canizares appeared to make a marvellous save from Matteo but replays
showed the ball crossed the line before Canizares cleared. Of course ITV's
inept commentators still didn't see it. Another close escape for Valencia.
Canizares blocked Smith's shot but the ball spun goalwards, Viduka failed to
connect, Bowyer headed against the post. Valencia put Leeds under
tremendous pressure in the closing minutes of the match. Carew flashed a
volley wide of goal, Matteo and Ferdinand cleared efforts off the line.

Leeds need to defend a lot better than they have in their previous visits to
Spain (played 3, conceded 9) if they are to prevent Valencia from making a
second consecutive final. Carboni and Baraja are suspended for the return
leg.


1 MAY 2000

REAL MADRID			0-1			BAYERN MUNICH
							Elber 55

It took an exquisite through pass by Figo to open up a water tight Bayern
Munich defence. He released Raul, Kahn flew off his line to narrow down the
angle and Raul's shot bounced inches wide. Another escape for Bayern minutes
later. Helguera's awesome cross completely took out the Bayern defence but
Guti failed to connect.

Roberto Carlos cleared a free kick, Andersson headed a hopeful ball back
towards the box, it bounced over Salihamidzic and Hierro, Elber turned and
shot instantly, Casillas got a touch but couldn't keep the ball out. 1-0. Real
suddenly sprung to life. Kahn made a typically spectacular one handed leap to
palm away a McManaman effort. Bayern failed to take two opportunities to
clear the resulting corner allowing Figo to launch a deadly right wing cross
into the box, Helguera got between Kuffour and Andersson but contrived to
head over the bar. A rare mistake by Andersson gave Raul an opening but Kahn,
again, made an overly spectacular save. He must like watching himself on
action replays. Casillas then got in on the act, making a Oliver 'Hollywood'
Kahn save of his own from Scholl's brilliantly struck drive. Effenberg tried
to floor Figo, Figo jumped, feigned injury and got Effenberg a yellow card.
Effenberg was lucky not to have seen red for pushing referee Hugh Dallas,
who was excellent by the way. Three minutes from time substitute Paolo
Sergio wasted a 100% chance gift wrapped to him by Jeremies.

Hierro was booked for taking out Effenberg. Kahn earned a yellow card for
time wasting. If Bayern play like this next week they're in the final.

Assist : Andersson