Sevilla wins in Scotland by four and Stuttgart draws

FC Unirea Urziceni 1-1 VfB Stuttgart

Serban Dacian Varga scored FC Unirea Urziceni's first ever goal in UEFA club competition to secure a valuable point against VfB Stuttgart in the second round of matches in UEFA Champions League Group G.

Sublime strike
Having failed to find the net in their first three European outings, the Romanian champions made the worst possible start to their first home fixture in the European Champion Clubs' Cup, Serdar Tasci taking advantage of some slack marking to give Stuttgart a fifth-minute lead. Three minutes after half-time, however, it was the German side's turn to be punished for defensive failings – Markus Babbel's team also having let slip a lead against Rangers FC on Matchday 1 – with Varga's eye-catching strike a fitting way to get Unirea of the mark in their first UEFA Champions League campaign.

Early initiative
Stuttgart clearly saw a profitable route in putting Unirea under immediate pressure and seeking to exploit any nervousness among the Romanian champions' ranks. On the front foot from the kick-off, the visitors threatened to take advantage of some indecisive defending in the first minute, Roberto Hilbert shooting shoot into the side-netting. The warning had been served but was not heeded and Unirea were caught flat-footed as the ball was pumped in high from the right. Timo Gebhart climbed to apply a crucial header down and Tasci, a step ahead of his markers, pounced to take full advantage.

Hope for Unirea
It was not the scenario Unirea coach Dan Petrescu had envisaged but even though the Stuttgart threat remained alive with Thomas Hitzlsperger trying his luck with his right foot, there was still plenty to keep the home crowd hopeful. Ricardo Vilana was a driving force in midfield where Iulian Apostol's craft in possession also won valuable space and time. Out wide Varga posed considerable difficulties for Stuttgart with his deliveries from the left and when he sent another across in the 24th minute Tiberiu Bălan, coming in off the other flank, moved menacingly towards the ball only for Arthur Boka to make a crucial clearance.

Historic strike
The second period mirrored the first for early drama. After a strong run from Pavel Pogrebnyak had been halted, Unirea immediately went on the offensive and drew encouragement from Stuttgart's inability to clear their lines. Gebhart undid his earlier good work by putting his defence under more pressure and when the ball eventually found its way to Varga he produced a sublime curling shot beyond the reach of Jens Lehmann.

Mounting excitement
The Unirea support were now in full voice as the excitement mounted. Pogrebnyak drilled in a low shot which Giedrius Arlauskis did well to hold before Varga passed up another opening while Ciprian Marica, back in his hometown and keen to impress, missed the chance to make a decisive impact when he lifted the ball over from close range. Hilbert also proved wasteful from a similar position, leaving Stuttgart to contemplate a home game with Sevilla FC on Matchday 3 when Unirea visit Rangers.


Rangers FC 1-4 Sevilla FC

Sevilla FC took command of UEFA Champions League Group G as four goals in 24 second-half minutes claimed a convincing away victory over Rangers FC in Glasgow.

Second-half goals
After an even first half, Abdoulay Konko broke the deadlock on 50 minutes. It opened the floodgates for the Spanish side with Adriano, Luis Fabiano and Frédéric Kanouté adding to the tally in a devastating spell on a return to the city where Sevilla retained the UEFA Cup in 2007. Rangers substitute Nacho Novo scored a late consolation but his team are now bottom of the group, five points behind leaders Sevilla.

Rangers change
Following three domestic games without a goal, Rangers manager Walter Smith sprang a surprise by opting for Steven Naismith over Kenny Miller as his lone striker and the Scottish international glanced a Steve Davis cross over early on. However, on a rain-slickened surface, Sevilla soon settled into their passing rhythm and carved open the home defence on 15 minutes. Allan McGregor came smartly off his line to block Kanouté's goal-bound effort after a smart exchange with Jesús Navas.

Sustained pressure
Naismith was devoid of support but midway through the half Lee McCulloch latched on to a Julien Escudé clearance and unleashed a shot that rose just over Andrés Palop's crossbar. This prompted a period of sustained pressure from the home side and moments later Kevin Thomson pulled a shot narrowly wide.

Navas close
As a more even contest flowed from end to end, next it was Sevilla's turn and four minutes before the interval Adriano almost broke the deadlock. Dispossessing Madjid Bougherra on the edge of the box, he unleashed a powerful right-foot shot that McGregor could only parry to Navas. However, the follow-up was lifted over from close range.

Sevilla ahead
McCulloch, too, came close with a glancing header soon after the restart but it proved a false dawn and three minutes later Sevilla were ahead. This time it was Lolo's set-piece delivery that caused the problems, finding Navas, and the winger expertly picked out Konko to rise unmarked and plant a firm header between McGregor and his near post.

Lead doubled
Back came Rangers and Steven Whittaker slid a teasing ball across the face of the Sevilla goal which just eluded Saša Papac before Thomson forced Palop to tip over from distance. Chasing an equaliser Rangers were now prone to Sevilla's quick counters and the second goal duly arrived on 64 minutes. Once again Kanouté and Fabiano were the orchestrators, working a one-two before the Brazilian squared to where Adriano was waiting to stroke the ball in.

Further goals
It was now case of damage limitation for the Scottish champions but eight minutes later they were undone again when Fabiano turned in Kanouté's cross. The Brazil striker swiftly returned the favour when he released Kanouté to put the result beyond doubt before Novo salvaged some pride for the home side with a rasping shot from the edge of the area.