Motherwell - Steaua - 2009

The Romanians started well and Rafal Grzelak and Eugen Baciu both threatened with shots from an early corner. Motherwell responded in kind and it took a good save from Robinson Zapata to deny John Sutton. Paul Slane picked up a channelled ball and delivered it near post for the former St Mirren striker. He bulleted a header that was turned away by the Steaua number one. Murphy followed that with another decent effort that was blocked before the Steelmen grabbed the opener. A corner from the right by Slane was only half cleared, landing at Ross Forbes on the edge of the area, and the midfielder smashed an unstoppable volley in off the far post. It could have been two shortly before the half-hour mark. Giles Coke was crudely tripped 30 yards from goal allowing goalscorer Forbes to whip in the ball. His cross to the back post had Sutton and Murphy in contention but neither could get on the end and the ball drifted agonisingly wide. Motherwell continued to be the better of the two sides and a good move down the right almost led to another goal. Forbes, who was having an excellent game in the middle of the park, released ball Slane with a neat ball out wide. The winger cut back before delivering a teasing ball into the middle for Murphy who flashed a header wide from six yards. Jim Gannon's men continued the second half in the same vein and inside the opening ten minutes, Forbes almost doubled his tally. A free-kick just outside the box presented the midfielder with another opportunity, his kick was accurate but Zapata turned it away in theatrical style. The rebound landed at Reynolds on the edge of the area and he unleashed a crashing half volley that flew inches wide. But with their first real attack of the game, Steaua drew level. A great move down the right eventually saw Stancu turn inside O'Brien drawing the foul from the full-back. Referee Carlos Gomez pointed to the spot allowing Petre Marin to coolly step up and slot into the bottom left corner. Not disheartened, The Steelmen continued to push and Hammell had the crowd on his feet with a driving low effort that fizzed wide. Gannon introduced Chris Humphrey and Robert McHugh on the hour-mark and the latter almost made an immediate impact. A deep ball into the box flew over Sutton towards the 18-year-old and he spun and shot bringing out another palmed save by Zapata. The rebound didn't fall kindly as the second effort was blazed high over the bar. It proved to be a costly miss as Steaua went up the park and took the lead. Stancu, who also scored in the first leg, picked up the ball 30-yards from goal and unleashed an incredible strike that flew over John Ruddy and into the net. There were claims for a penalty, not for the first time in the game, but referee Gomez turned away the appeal much the annoyance of the Motherwell bench. Jim Gannon and Peter Ward reacted furiously, prompting the Spanish official to banish both to the stands. When play resumed, McHugh almost drew the Steelmen level with a glancing header from a Humphrey cross. But with five minutes remaining, Steaua grabbed their third to put the result beyond doubt. A ball into the right channel had Nicolita in behind Hammell and the winger fed Stancu, who slotted home from 12 yards.

Cristiano Bergodi, coach of Steaua: "We played very weak in first half, but this thing has changed in the second one. We were efficient, we had just a few opportunities and we scored three goals. It's a lot for an away match in which I have used an younger team. I am pleased by the players I have used, we are on a good path, but we still have a lot of work".