Rangers clinch famous victory
Nacho Novo fired home the crucial penalty kick as Rangers produced an incredible victory over Fiorentina to claim their place in the Uefa Cup final. The Spanish striker, on as a second-half substitute, slotted home to send the travelling fans into a frenzy after 120 minutes of goalless action.
Rangers looked to have been heading out of the competition after Barry Ferguson missed their opening penalty, but Neil Alexander came to the rescue, saving from Fabio Liverani, before Christian Vieri blasted high over the crossbar.
That allowed Novo to score the crucial spot kick and send his team through to Manchester lateras the Scottish side prevailed 4-2 on spot kicks.
The victory means Rangers will now face Russian side Zenit St Petersburg in the final, a side managed by former Ibrox boss Dick Advocaat.
Rangers barely registered as an attacking force during the entire 120 minutes, but with David Weir and Carlos Cueller seemingly impregnable at the heart of the defence, the SPL side repelled a constant wave of attacks from the Italian side.
Fiorentina created a whole host of chances but they were unable to find a way past a resilient Rangers defence, while Alexander produced save after save to deny the home side.
Former Chelsea man Adrian Mutu and substitute Vieri both failed to hit the target when well placed as the visitors somehow managed to hold out.
Rangers did manage to work Fiorentina 'keeper Frey towards the end of the 90 minutes with both Steven Davis and Stephen Whittaker bringing saves out of the Frenchman, but those efforts were a rarity on a night where the emphasis was on defending.
And their task was made even tougher when Daniel Cousin, a second-half substitute, was red carded for headbutting Liverani with just ten minutes of extra-time to go.
It was a moment of madness from the Gabon international, although Liverani's reaction, which saw him fall to the ground as if hit by a bus was wholly unnecessary.
With Rangers down to ten men, Fiorentina started to bombard Alexander's goalmouth with high balls towards Vieri but the former Inter Milan man failed to make the most of the opportunities which fell his way.
Fiorentina's lack of cutting edge sent the contest to the lottery of penalty kicks and they were made to suffer as Rangers claimed a famous victory to set up a final clash against Zenit St Petersburg.
Comments
Add a comment
Be the first to comment on this
If you are a Gambling.com member, please login at the top left of this page.
If you are not a Gambling.com member, please complete our sign up form—membership is free and it takes just a minute or two to sign up.