Frenetically encouraged by 47,000 spectators, who had come to see it in the last match at home played in the UEFA Cup this season, Steaua started the first half with caution. With a defence weakened by Iacob’s and Cristea’s being injured, and with a declared objective of not receiving any goal in the first 15 minutes, the players coached by Cosmin Olaroiu were happy with leaving initiative in the middle of the field to the Middlesbrough players. In minute eight Dica for the first time got rid of the tight marking of the English backfields, but he was caught offside. A minute later, Morrison replied, but he shot at quite of a distance from Carlos’ goal. Steaua continued to launch itself into long passes, but the English kept defending their gal very well and dismantled any attempt. Dica remained in the limelight, but his kick flew over Scwartzer's goal, whilst Ogararu's strong shot was rejected in extremis by an English backfield. Advised by Olaroiu from the bench to increase pressure, Steaua gains courage and the game now tends to move more into Middlesbrough's half. Afterwards, within a sequence that did not appear to be much, after a prolonged possession of the ball, Dica managed to leave behind a group of three opponent backfields, turned around, stroke and defeated Scwartzer. It was 1-0 for Steaua. What followed was a period of relaxation for Steaua, sanctioned by the English and by the referee as well, who showed Goian, Paraschiv and Nicolita the yellow card, who are in this way suspended for the return match. The first half ended with the ball hitting the goal bar on Middlesbrough’s behalf, with Yakubu pushing Ogararu in the square and striking the crossbar.

Steaua returned from the lockers much more determined, Olaroiu's players trying to increase their advantage, aware of the fact that the return match will be much more difficult without the major members of the team being there. Oprita’s centering, running on his own on the left flank, did not find any co-player available, and Ogararu shot the ball above the goal. In minute 60, the best performing player in the entire game, Dica, again managed to reach the opponents’ square, but he preferred to pass the ball to Nicolita, who again centered totally imprecisely. Later on Dica missed the goal face to face with the goalkeeper, at the end of a superb sequence of Steaua.

Obviously unhappy with the fact that Steaua continued to push, increasing possession time to 54 per cent, coach McClaren introduced Parlour and Maccarone. However, the first opportunity to score was again Steaua's after a mistake made by Schwarzer, who dropped the ball in the head of a co-player. The gall was caught by Goian who was two metres away from the goal, but he had not enough time to react. Steaua was again very close to another goal in minute 80 of the game, but Petre Marin missed the goal from six metres. Bostina’s free stroke was next, a little bit above the target. Crushed under Steaua’s pressure, the English could not focus and gave in physically and mentally in the last minutes, allowing the Romanians to attack loosely. Steaua therefore has the first qualifying option by managing not to receive a goal when playing at home .

Reactions after the match
Shortly after the match, Steaua coach Cosmin Olaroiu stated: "I am happy with the result, it is an extraordinary victory for Steaua, but I cannot help feeling some degree of disappointment because we could have scored at least a second goal. We had many opportunities and the boys did their best in the field, we would have been able to score again, but the certain thing is that we won. I am very happy that we could bring happiness to these wonderful supporters, especially now before the Holy Easter."

As for not being able to count on Paraschiv, Goian and Nicolita in the return match, Olaroiu said: "Of course, our losses are important, but we'll look for solutions. Nicolita would have been very useful for the counter-attack. Middlesbrough are a strong team, especially at home", said the Steaua Coach.

Steaua owner Gigi Becali was even more optimistic: "Steaua is a lot stronger than Middlesbrough, we’ll undo their game in England and we will qualify", said Becali.

Quinton Quayle, Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Bucharest, said that Steaua had obtained a deserved victory, but admitted that just about anything is possible in the return match when the English play at home.

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