Magnificent Rangers reached their fourth European
final tonight against all the odds, defeating
Fiorentina on penalties following a goaless draw after
extra-time.
The Light Blues will now contest the UEFA Cup Final in
Manchester on 14 May against Dick Advocaat's Zenit St.
Petersburg, who overwhelmed Bayern Munich 4-0 in
Russia.
Fiorentina attacked from the start, but it took until
the 20th minute for Neil Alexander to be tested -
Mondolini's 25-yard shot being held by the 'keeper,
who again proved equal to the task two minutes later
from a Mutu effort from the edge of the box.
Another Mutu threat on the half-hour saw Sasa Papac
clear from Pazzini.
The first-half ended goalless - but 'La Viola' piled
on the pressure on the restart, Pazzini shooting wide
from a Mutu cutback in 51 minutes.
A whole series of corners saw David Weir and Carlos
Cuellar outstanding at the heart of the defence.
Daniel Cousin replaced Darcheville in 65 minutes, and
foiur minutes later Alexander denied Mutu at the
second attempt from a thirty-yard piledriver.
Cousin was unjustly yellow-carded three minutes later
for a foul on Utfralusi - but the Ranger was the
victim.
Steve Davis came close to the priceless away goal in
76 minutes when his shot from a Cousin knockdown was
held by Frey, then Whittaker produced the save of the
night in 84 minutes when Frey one-handedly turned his
twenty-yard shot wide.
Extra-time it was, but despite prolonged Fiorentina
pressure the Ibrox defence held firm.
Rangers were unjustky reduced to ten men in 108
minutes when Cousin received his second yellow
following a clash with Liverani - again the foul
should have gone to the visitors, but an angry Cousin
left the field in tears.
Vieri came close twice in the dying minutes - but
penalties it was.
Barry Ferguson saw his first spot-kick superbly saved
by Frey - but as Whittaker, Papac and Hemdani found
the net both Liverani and Vieri failed from the spot
Nacho Novo scored to send rangers into their first
final for 36 years.
Next stop Manchester...