As I’ve said before, I did at one point fancy going to the final this year as it’s only a couple of miles down the road from my apartment, but with each passing round of fixtures the prospect of wasting what could be a perfectly good evening in front of the telly.
Hamburg 3 – 1 Manchester City
Everyone’s favourite billionaire playthings Man City have it all to do in the second leg after failing to keep Martin Jol’s impressive side in check in the second half. City got off to the best possible start in Hamburg scoring after just 30 seconds, that lad Stephen Ireland playing in workhorse’s workhorse Robinho, the Brazilian controlling well before returning the ball to the advancing Ireland who had the simple job of tapping the ball over the line. City’s lead, like Robinho’s interest in playing for this team, was short-lived, Piotr Trochowski’s corner being headed home by Mathijsen. The Germans then took full control, although it did take until the 60th minute and a fine Micah Richards handball to give Piotr Trochowski the opportunity to put Hamburg ahead from the spot. Jose Paolo Guerrro, completely unmarked,bagged the Germans’ third.
Can you stand any more of this wretched trophy?
Werder Bremen 3 – 1 Udinese
Werder, my favourites for this trophy alongside their German counterparts Hamburg, broke the deadlock against Udinese thanks to a goal from Diego from just inside the box in the 32nd minute. After the break the Brazilian claimed a second, Diego controlling in the box before finding room to curl a beauty to the far post. Hugo Almeida bagged the third, collecting a ball over the top and going on to score low in the corner. Fabio Quagliarella gave Udinese faint hope for the second leg bagged what could be a crucial away goal three minutes from time.
Shakhtar Donetsk 2 – 0 Marseille
Tomas Hubschman put Shakhtar in front at home to Marseille four minutes before half-time. Jadson doubled the Ukrainian’s lead midway through the second half.
