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Hello! Gia Saralidze is in the studio Vestnik Kavkaza.
As usual we are discussing the most important and interesting events in the football world.
Today we are speaking about the results of the last 32 of the Europa League.
As we predicted and hoped all three Russian clubs qualified to 1/8 of the final.
The only thing which doesn’t enable us to speak in absolutely positive tone
about these matches is that Russian clubs overcame this round with moans and groans.
If after two matches we had this result and somebody asked us whether we wanted this result,
not everybody would predict that all three clubs would qualify in the next round.
After first matches fans hoped that all clubs will pass further,
but they hoped that it would be in a calmer manner, at least for one of the clubs.
Unfortunately, all three clubs… Anzhi which defeated Hannover 3:1 in the first match
and seemed to be optimistic ahead of the next match let in a goal in the end of the second half,
Hannover attacked, Anzhi lacked strength, the referee added 8 minutes,
and only on the last minute of overtime Anzhi scored the goal.
The final result is 1:1.
It seemed to be alright, but by the last minute Hannover could score the second goal
and in that case Hannover would qualify.
Luckily, Anzhi managed to hold out and scored a respond goal.
The game for Zenit was very difficult.
In the first match everything was favorable, even though Liverpool
which was Zenit’s opponent simply hadn’t got the luck in St. Petersburg
– the ball didn’t want to get into Zenit’s goalposts.
The result of the match was 2:0.
It is thought to be one of the most comfortable scores.
It is even better than 3:1 –a gap in 2 goals and absence of let-in goals at home.
Hulk scored first goal in the beginning of the second match, i.e. the score was 3:0 then.
It seemed that Liverpool could do nothing.
But on the 56th or 58th minute of the second time the score was 3:1 in favor of Liverpool.
It means Liverpool caught up with Zenit and only the goal
which was scored by Hulk in the beginning of the match let Zenit to qualify in the next round.
But the Russian club had to hold out to the end of the game.
Forces left Zenit players, they defended as best they could.
Liverpool attacked.
There were several very dangerous moments.
One of the best players in this game was Suarez who scored two goals.
When he scored for the first time, the ball flew through the defensive wall
and Malafeyev couldn’t do anything to save his goalposts.
Of course a goalkeeper doesn’t expect that the ball will fly through a wall.
The second goal was scored by Suarez beautifully, his kick passed round the wall.
The camera which records from the back of a kicker fixed such a sophisticated arc of ball flight.
Malafeyev did his best.
Actually he reached the ball by figure-tips,
but the kick was so powerful and artful that the goalkeeper cannot be blamed.
Last minutes turned into a nightmare for Zenit’s defense.
However, they had luck not only in the first match when Suarez had about 5 moments for scoring a goal.
This time Zenit qualified due to big luck as well.
We should admit that the conditions of our clubs at the moment are not well.
Even though coaches seemed to prepare players for these matches,
but against European clubs which now are going through national championships
our clubs are difficult to play, despite first successful matches.
The third team which passed to the next round is Rubin.
They played the second match in Kazan.
I remind you they defeated Atletico (Madrid) 2:0.
It was a very unexpect result.
And the second match showed that that score wasn’t fair enough because Atletico is a very good team.
The Spanish players played very well in Kazan.
They scored the first goal in the match and became leaders.
They had to score the second goal to reach after-extra-time, but Rubin held out.
There were a lot of moments.
Rubin counter-attacked and had chances to equal,
but Atletico played better in attack.
In the end of the match they scored a goal, but one of Rubin players was sent off.
However, they managed to hold out and passed to the next round.
Now we expect very interesting matches.
I should say that in 1/16 very serious clubs played against Russian teas
– Atletico is the current champion of the UEFA European Football Championship,
Liverpool is an English club even though it is not in the top-four, but it is still Liverpool.
And our teams passed this difficult exam with some problems.
We’ll see what will be next.
Of course three Russian clubs in 1/8 of the UEFA European Football Championship make us be optimistic.
Probably we will see our clubs in semifinals and finals.
We will follow the events on European pitches.
Next week we will speak about the Champions League where important matches will take place.
Those clubs which continue to fight for the most prestigious cup of the UEFA will mark themselves.
Even Barcelona can fail to move forward because it was defeated by Milano (2:0).
The score is very uncomfortable, Italians are good at defense,
and it will be difficult for Barcelona to play in the second match,
but it is the best in the world in attack.
Let’s wait for return games and discuss them seriously.
That is all.
Watch Vestnik Kavkaza. It was Gia Saralidze.