EMPOLI NEWS.....EMPOLI NEWS.....EMPOLI NEWS...EMPOLI NEWS...
EMPOLI STUN RANGERS
European Qualifiers, Day 2
EMPOLI 3 Busce 55' Mensenguez 75' Broadfoot 90' (og)
RANGERS 1 Kujovic 52'(og)
Empoli took another step towards the Champions league group stages, with a thrilling victory over Glasgow Rangers, at the stadio Carlo Castellani, in their second qualifying game. The Tuscan outfit bounced back from a goal down to finish the match with a flattering 3-1 scoreline.
Both sides lined-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Rangers looked to have gained the upper hand early on, when they netted first. Kujovic's initial save from Lee McCulloch, trickled goalwards, but the custodian was unable to stop the ball crossing the line, as he scrabbled after it. The Azzurri struck back immediately, when captain Antonio Busce hammered in an equaliser from six yards. Twenty minutes later, new signing Juan Menseguez put the home side ahead with an exquisite finish from just outside the box
*. The Argentinian met Volpato's through ball and calmly curled it past the keeper with great finesse. Empoli were now playing with confidence, as Rangers looked visibly shaken. The visitors' night was summed up when with minutes left of the tie, Kirk Broadfoot's close range back pass, took keeper Frank Rost by surpise and nestled in the back of the net.
With two group games gone, Empoli sit at the top of their group with six points. They now face a trip to Brussels to face Anderlecht.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
* This goal was amazing! It was very very similar to Nihat's winner for Turkey against the Czech Republic. A finesse shot from the D, outside the box, left of centre, curled around the diving keeper (it didn't hit the underside of the post though, rather hit the back of the net in a satisfying way).
I jumped out of my seat at this one, due to it's uncanny resemblance to the aforementioned goal (it was my favourite of the competition). A little through ball, same position, same finesse like shot, keeper wearing a yellow shirt (lol) and it was a winning goal too. I saved it, so i'll attempt to upload it at some point. I think it could well be my best PES goal ever, not just for the goal, but the situation too - a winner, coming from behind, on a European night of football against an arguably better side. :w00t: