Thursday, February 16, 2006
Stuttgart 1 Boro 2
Amazing what a little confidence can do isn't it? With five minutes to go this match review was looking very different - away from home against an historically very strong German side, 2-0 up and cruising into the last 16 with a home leg in hand. As it is there is still some life in the tie, thanks to a driven free kick on the edge of the box to give Stuttgart a lifeline. To be brutally honest their reputation was far bigger than their talent on the night. OK they have been troubled in recent weeks, with a new manager in place and a terrible home record, but so have we! Following a ten minute settling in period when they looked dangerous down the flanks, testing Riggott and Southgate more than once in the middle, they looked poor, struggling to get the final pass into the box and ever vulnerable to the counter attack. Good thing too as Jimmy was ploughing a lone furrow up front in a thankless task.It was the Dutchman then that capitalised on a mistake from Timo Hildebrand in goal, the ball ricocheting off the back of George Boateng into his path for a cool blast through the hapless keepers legs. They may have looked like leveling at times in the first half, but when Stuart Parnaby claimed his first in Europe from an excellent Boateng cross they fell to pieces in many ways allowing us to surge forward freely looking for a third. Yakubu came on for the last fifteen minutes in an attempt to finish the tie off for good, but it was the German side who benefited from a late Doriva tackle to breathe new life into their effort and force Boro back for the last seven minutes. In the end we did well to repel an equaliser, Jesper Gronkjaer always looking the biggest danger for them.
We need to watch out in the reverse tie next week at the Riverside, for sure, it is not quite over, especially as they are reported to be a better away team than a home team. However, you have to fancy a repeat of last year's last 16 spot with a positive attitude. It is up to them to come and get two goals and as long as we don't sit off and invite them in I see that as being a very steep task. Happy days are here again. On to Deepdale in the cup!
My MOTM: George Boateng proved just why he must stay fit for us if we are to succeed.
