Zurich 0-1 AC Milan
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Back to something like their best form after a turbulent spell, FC Zürich are optimistic about turning around a 3-1 deficit against AC Milan in their UEFA Cup first-round tie, with captain Hannu Tihinen saying: "We have worked hard to get better."
Mass defections
The price of success can be even higher than the cost of failure, as Zürich discovered in the wake of their 2005/06 and 2006/07 Swiss title successes. A team built around young talent and the short passing game of coach Lucien Favre was quickly stripped bare by foreign clubs. Favre was lured to Hertha BSC Berlin along with Steve von Bergen and Brazilian star Rafael, while Gökhan Inler (Udinese Calcio), Blerim Dzemaili (Bolton Wanderers FC) and Xavier Margairaz (CA Osasuna) all sought new opportunities in Europe's top leagues.
Huge gap
Replacing so many talented individuals proved to be a massive task for Favre's successor Bernard Challandes, and captain Tihinen – who has battled a series of injuries in the recent seasons – said: "Integrating so many new players did give us some problems." Zürich's big signing of 2007, Tunisian Yassine Chikhaoui, was laid off for long spells last season, and given the changes in the squad, it was hardly a shock that Zürich finished third in the league last season, 18 points adrift of champions FC Basel 1893.
Genuine hope
That was enough to earn the consolation of a place in the UEFA Cup, however, but having got past SK Sturm Graz in the second qualifying round, Challandes' side were handed the unenviable task of taking on Milan. They lost 3-1 in the first leg at San Siro, but with the sold-out return at the Letzigrund Stadion fast approaching, there is genuine hope that Zürich are showing the kind of form that can cause the Italian giants problems.
Undoubted potential
After claiming a fourth successive Super League win at home to Neuchâtel Xamax FC at the weekend, Zürich are second in the standings behind Basel, their success aided by a clutch of young stars. Senior national team coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has called 21-year-old midfielder Almen Abdi into his side, and both Heinz Barmettler and striker Admir Mehmedi are impressing in the junior ranks. "I have never doubted the potential of this team," explained Tihinen, who hopes his side's good form can help him regain a regular spot back into the Finland senior team. "We have worked hard to get better, and we know our playing style off by heart."
ZURICH - The second leg of Zurich-Milan of the Uefa Cup just ended 0-1. Andriy Shevchenko scored the winning goal in the 70th minute. The first leg ended 3-1 in favour of Milan who qualified for the Group phase of the Uefa Cup 2008/09.
ZURICH - Zurich-Milan just finished 0-1 in the second leg of the Uefa Cup qualifying round. The victory came thanks to a goal by Andriy Shevchenko in the 70th minute. The first leg finished 3-1 for Milan, who are thereby qualified for the group stages of the 2008/2009 Uefa Cup.
MILAN - Lazio will be Milan's opponents in the eighth finals of the Coppa Italia: the Biancocelesti in fact beat Atalanta 2-0 in the fourth elimination round, with goals by Ledesma (17'), and Pandev (84').
ZURICH - Milan, departed at 11am from the international airport of Malpensa and has just landed at Zurich. The squad was welcomed by a windy climate and variable sky.
MILAN - After Zurich, it will be back to Serie A against Cagliari for Milan. Before this afternoon's friendly game of the Sardi at 3pm, the official website of Cagliari announced that Roberto Acquafresca, was guest this morning of the primary school "Casa del Fanciullo La Salle" in Tito Livio street 44 at Monserrato. He inaugurated the School Tour 2008-09, important initiative of the club.
