Rosenborg - Fiorentina 0-1
By Endre Bakken, 15 Februar 2008, 11:25
A bad first half destroyed Rosenborg's hope of advancing in the UEFA cup.
HITTED THE POST: Didier Konan a few centimetres away from an equalizer.
Photo: Thomas Karlsen
"It will be hard. Still, we will prepare as well as we can," Roar Strand said after the defeat.
Winning with two goals in Florence seems impossible due to the lack of match practice and having to play the match on foreign grass. But Fiorentina did not seem like a world class team at Lerkendal. It was rather RBK that made them look good before half time.
Strand took over for injured Alexander Tettey, and like last year, the captain struggled in the central role. The team became too defensive and gave the Italians both time and space to play.
"The first half wasn't anything special. Our midfield stood too far back and was too scattered. During half-time we decided to move up. Afterwards me and Marek started working better together," Strand explained.
By then Fiorentina were already in the lead. The Tuscans began the game with several corners, but the goal came during play: Adrian Mutu secured the rebound Rune Jarstein gave on a shot from the left.
"It seemed rather unnecessary. They get between two of our players and move directly towards the goal," Trond Henriksen commented.
RBK struggled with creating proper chances, and had to settle with crossballs that hit the goalie. Eurocup debutants Vadim Demidov and Andreas Nordvik were the most deserving of praise attack-wise.
The match went on like before the pause. Fiorentina had some chances, but towards the end of the match RBK got closest to scoring. Didier Konan hit the goalpost, and Marek Sapara followed up with a free kick the keeper couldn't secure.
Match statistics
ROSENBORG
0-1
Fiorentina
Adrian Mutu 16
Thursday 14. February 2008 20:45 UEFA-cup 3. round, Lerkendal stadion
10581 attendants
Rosenborg [4-4-2] Rune Jarstein - Fredrik Stoor, Bj�rn Tore Kvarme, Vadim Demidov, Andreas Nordvik - Per Ciljan Skjelbred, Marek Sapara, Roar Strand (�yvind Storflor 80), Abdou Razack Traore - Yssouf Kone, Steffen Iversen (Didier Konan 46)
