UEFA Cup 2008, Manchester: Zenit triumphs over Rangers
May 17
Ranger’s quest for a first European trophy in 36 years ended in heartbreak as Zenit St. Petersburg claimed Russia’s second UEFA Cup in the space of four years with 2-0 victory at the Manchester City Stadium on Wednesday.
It was the second UEFA Cup success by Russian side in four seasons following CSKA Moscow’s triumph in 2005. Rangers supports travelled south from Glasgow in their thousands, easily outnumbering the Zenit fans inside the stadium and crowding the city centre tow watch on big screens.
On the pitch, the defeat suffered by Rangers ended their quest for an unlikely quadruple with the Scottish League Cup winners still contesting the league title and also lining up in the Scottish FA Cup final later this month. Zenit failed to reproduce their impressive demolition of competition favourites Bayern Munich in the semi-finals but their attacking qualities, honed by Dutch Coach Dick Advocaat, were too much for a spirited Rangers side. Zenit gave an early demonstration of their counter-attacking prowess when Captain Anatoly Tymoschuk robbed a hesitant Brahim Hemdani in midfield.
Rangers were content to soak up the pressure, showing little attacking intent of their own Zenit probed away with Arshavin a menacing presence on the left flank
Stumble it!