MUNICH, April 24 (Xinhua) -- UEFA Cup top seed Bayern
Munich were snubbed with 1-1 at home by Zenit St. Peterburg on Thursday in their
the UEFA Cup semifinal match.
Bayern, who freshed off winning the German Cup last
weekend, are now under pressure for the away match of the UEFA semifinal in
St.Peterburg if they are to reach the second UEFA Cup final in club history.
Five days after winning the German Cup against
Borussia Dortmund with 2-1, Ribery put Bayern ahead in the 18th minute, albeit
with a little luck.
The French international first failed to convert a
penalty shot against Zenit keeper Wjatscheslaw Malafejew, only then to see the
ball role in.
Dominant in the first half, Bayern failed to
capitalize on their strong start against Zenit, who eliminated German soccer
powerhouse Leverkusen.
The lack of coolness displayed by suspended Luca Toni
was clearly lacking in many scoring opportunities, and Miroslav Klose and Lukas
Podolski were hardly able to step up to the task.
Bayern were punished during the second half.
In the 60th minute, Zenit equalized with the help of
Bayern. A pass by Russian midfielder Wiktor Fajsulin was redirected at Oliver
Kahn who couldn't hold onto it.
In the 83rd minute, Fajsulin even had the chance to
win the match had it not been for Ze Roberto who cleared the ball shortly before
the line.
The German title holders and 1996 UEFA Cup winners
now have to win in St. Petersburg or at least score two goals in case of a draw
in order to reach the finals on May 14th in Manchester, wherethey would face the
winner of the Glasgow Rangers vs. AC Florenz match.
"We will have a harder job in St. Peterburg," Bayern
coach Ottmar Hitzfeld told the press after the match.
However, Zenit coach Dick Advocaat told the press conference that they would "have more problems" since Arschawin, Ricksen and Radek Sirl are suspended for the upcoming match in St. Peterburg.
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