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Played
December 2, 2010 1:00 PM EST
Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest (ROU)
Referee: Bulent Yildirim
December 2, 2010 1:00 PM EST
Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest (ROU)
Referee: Bulent Yildirim
61′
Éder Bonfim
Top of the Match
Ryan Babel
Liverpool
Liverpool
Ryan Babel
Liverpool
Liverpool
Flop of the Match
Joe Cole
Liverpool
Liverpool
Joe Cole
Liverpool
Liverpool
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Steaua Bucharest 1-1 Liverpool: Reds Through But Reina Howler Denies Hodgson’s Side Comfortable Win
Milan Jovanovic's header gave English side the lead.
By John Elmes
Liverpool secured their place in the next stage of the Europa League with a 1-1 draw against Steaua Bucharest in Romania. A Milan Jovanovic goal in the first half was enough to put the English side through despite a goalkeeping howler by captain for the night, Pepe Reina.
In a disjointed opening 45 minutes, the Premier League team was slow to come out of the traps and Steaua started the game in an attacking formation with three up front. Although enjoying the greater share of possession, the home side lacked any real threat, and the first 25 minutes was characterized by both sides surrendering possession. Despite this, it was Liverpool who opened the scoring, out of the blue, in the 19th minute.
A ball to Ryan Babel found the Dutchman isolated on the right edge of the area, as Steaua defended in numbers. The attacker did well however, and made space to put a ball into the box. With the amount of Steaua players in their own box it seemed impossible for Liverpool to make something of it, but Babel’s cross was inch-perfect and found the head of Jovanovic, who steered his angled header to the right of the flat-footed Steaua 'keeper, Ciprian Tatarusanu, and into the back of the net.
The goal bewildered Steaua's players and fans, and the heated atmosphere present at the start of the match seemed to dissipate into the cold air. Minutes later, Liverpool could have silenced Bucharest permanently with a glorious chance to make it 2-0. The lively Babel capitalized on a slip by a Steaua defender and took the ball towards the box. Joe Cole steamed through the center to create a two-on-one situation. Babel – who has often frustrated with his lack of vision – threaded a delightful pass to the advancing Cole.
The England man however, decided to take a touch instead of shooting first time. The ball got stuck between his feet, and by the time he had squared the ball to Jovanovic, Steaua were back in force. The ball eventually found its way to Dani Pacheco, but the Spaniard dragged his shot wide.
As the game staggered towards half-time, both sides were guilty of surrendering possession, but Steaua had finally galvanized themselves into action. After Eric Bicfalvi shot wide after a spell of Bucharest pressure, the Romanians had a glorious opportunity to level. A long ball into the Liverpool box seemed to be comfortably dealt with by Sotirios Kyrgiakos. The big Greek however, was out-muscled by Bogdan Stancu, but the striker inexplicably put his shot wide from six yards.
The second half began as the first ended, with a fantastic chance for a Steaua equalizer. A corner from the right by Tanase was met by the head of the unmarked Geraldo who could only direct his effort straight into the arms of Pepe Reina. It was an excellent chance and had Steaua coach, Marius Lacatus, pleading to the heavens.
With Steaua pressing more, it seemed likely they would score, and when they did, their equalizer came in bizarre circumstances. A ball into Liverpool's box was blocked straight into to the path of Eder Bonfim. His innocuous header should have been comfortably pouched by Reina, but the Spaniard, uncharacteristically, allowed the ball to trickle through his legs and over the line.
It was a horrible mistake for the 'keeper, reminiscent of Jerzy Dudek's blunder against Manchester United in 2002, although the Liverpool captain was incensed by what he saw as distraction from a Steaua player standing in an offside position in front of him.
The home side suddenly sensed a victory against the inexperienced Liverpool second string. Without creating any clear chances, they continued to press and had the majority of possession for the following 10 minutes.
The Romanians were trying hard without success and their closest chance to taking the lead was a dipping shot by Stancu. Although Reina - obviously unnerved by his previous mistake - backpedaled furiously to cover the shot, it was always going over.
Liverpool's young team were looking unsure after their first half display and the game began to peter out as Steaua continued to lack a cutting edge. Roy Hodgson rang the changes, bringing off Jovanovic and Cole for Eccleston and Ngog respectively, in the hope of perhaps nicking a second goal. The away side however, seemed comfortable with the point and dropped deeper and deeper as the game neared the finish.
Steaua continued to work hard for a second goal, but Liverpool's back four held firm, and with Utrecht and Napoli drawing in the other match, it was a good night for the Merseyside team, if not for Reina.
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
In a disjointed opening 45 minutes, the Premier League team was slow to come out of the traps and Steaua started the game in an attacking formation with three up front. Although enjoying the greater share of possession, the home side lacked any real threat, and the first 25 minutes was characterized by both sides surrendering possession. Despite this, it was Liverpool who opened the scoring, out of the blue, in the 19th minute.
A ball to Ryan Babel found the Dutchman isolated on the right edge of the area, as Steaua defended in numbers. The attacker did well however, and made space to put a ball into the box. With the amount of Steaua players in their own box it seemed impossible for Liverpool to make something of it, but Babel’s cross was inch-perfect and found the head of Jovanovic, who steered his angled header to the right of the flat-footed Steaua 'keeper, Ciprian Tatarusanu, and into the back of the net.
The goal bewildered Steaua's players and fans, and the heated atmosphere present at the start of the match seemed to dissipate into the cold air. Minutes later, Liverpool could have silenced Bucharest permanently with a glorious chance to make it 2-0. The lively Babel capitalized on a slip by a Steaua defender and took the ball towards the box. Joe Cole steamed through the center to create a two-on-one situation. Babel – who has often frustrated with his lack of vision – threaded a delightful pass to the advancing Cole.
The England man however, decided to take a touch instead of shooting first time. The ball got stuck between his feet, and by the time he had squared the ball to Jovanovic, Steaua were back in force. The ball eventually found its way to Dani Pacheco, but the Spaniard dragged his shot wide.
As the game staggered towards half-time, both sides were guilty of surrendering possession, but Steaua had finally galvanized themselves into action. After Eric Bicfalvi shot wide after a spell of Bucharest pressure, the Romanians had a glorious opportunity to level. A long ball into the Liverpool box seemed to be comfortably dealt with by Sotirios Kyrgiakos. The big Greek however, was out-muscled by Bogdan Stancu, but the striker inexplicably put his shot wide from six yards.
The second half began as the first ended, with a fantastic chance for a Steaua equalizer. A corner from the right by Tanase was met by the head of the unmarked Geraldo who could only direct his effort straight into the arms of Pepe Reina. It was an excellent chance and had Steaua coach, Marius Lacatus, pleading to the heavens.
With Steaua pressing more, it seemed likely they would score, and when they did, their equalizer came in bizarre circumstances. A ball into Liverpool's box was blocked straight into to the path of Eder Bonfim. His innocuous header should have been comfortably pouched by Reina, but the Spaniard, uncharacteristically, allowed the ball to trickle through his legs and over the line.
It was a horrible mistake for the 'keeper, reminiscent of Jerzy Dudek's blunder against Manchester United in 2002, although the Liverpool captain was incensed by what he saw as distraction from a Steaua player standing in an offside position in front of him.
The home side suddenly sensed a victory against the inexperienced Liverpool second string. Without creating any clear chances, they continued to press and had the majority of possession for the following 10 minutes.
The Romanians were trying hard without success and their closest chance to taking the lead was a dipping shot by Stancu. Although Reina - obviously unnerved by his previous mistake - backpedaled furiously to cover the shot, it was always going over.
Liverpool's young team were looking unsure after their first half display and the game began to peter out as Steaua continued to lack a cutting edge. Roy Hodgson rang the changes, bringing off Jovanovic and Cole for Eccleston and Ngog respectively, in the hope of perhaps nicking a second goal. The away side however, seemed comfortable with the point and dropped deeper and deeper as the game neared the finish.
Steaua continued to work hard for a second goal, but Liverpool's back four held firm, and with Utrecht and Napoli drawing in the other match, it was a good night for the Merseyside team, if not for Reina.
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking- Fans' Man of the Match
- Fans' Flop of the Match
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Striker Schalke |
14 | 3 |
|
Radamel Falcao
Striker Atlético de Madrid |
12 | 1 |
|
Adrián
Striker Atlético de Madrid |
10 | 0 |
|
Fernando Llorente Torres
Striker Bilbao |
7 | 2 |
|
Jonatan Ezequiel Cristaldo
Striker Metalist Kharki |
7 | 0 |