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This is our UEFA Cup news section where we provide any news items that might have a significant effect on the matches being played - or sports betting in general.

UEFA Cup News :: Zenit Claim advantage in Germany

Posted on 2008-04-24 by Gooner

Zenit St Petersburg will fancy their chances of sending another German club out of the UEFA Cup after drawing 1-1 at Bayern Munich in Thursday night's semi-final first leg clash.

After defeating Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter-finals, Zenit will go into the return leg with the advantage of having scored an away goal, meaning a clean sheet on May 1 would see them through to the final.

It did not look like they would stand much chance when Franck Ribery put the home side ahead in the 18th minute, but they worked their way back into the game and deservedly levelled when Lucio put through his own goal on the hour mark.

As was the case in the quarter-finals, when Getafe left Munich with the same score, the tournament favourites Bayern will now have to win away next Thursday to reach the final.

Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld bemoaned his side's profligacy in front of goal after the match.

"We were not decisive enough and the final pass was all that we lacked in the first half."

Hitzfeld also revealed he may be without Oliver Kahn, who trapped a nerve, and Miroslav Klose, who broke his nose, in the return leg.

"Kahn will receive treatment from Dr. (Hans-Wilhelm) Muller-Wohlfahrt, but after (Mark) van Bommel's break, Klose has become the next to get an unlucky break."

Zenit coach Dick Advocaat feels his side will still be underdogs in the second leg, particularly since Andrei Arshavin, Radek Sirl and Fernando Ricksen will all be suspended after picking up yellow cards on Thursday.

"We are missing several players, including three injured players too and the suspended players, so those will make a difference next week."

Sourced From : SportingLife Website

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