 |
|
UEFA Cup: Monaco sees the light [Sat Sep 17th, 2005]
Monaco coach Didier Deschamps believes his players are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel after defeating Dutch side Willem II in their UEFA Cup first round first leg in midweek.
The Monegasques, who failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League in August, made a good start to Europe's second tier competition, with goals from Olivier Kapo and Emmanuel Adebayor giving the team a 2-0 advantage to take into the away leg.
"It had been a while since we won so I am very happy," said Deschamps.
"And with a little bit more confidence I am sure we can do better. We lack confidence and calmness, so it is good to claim a victory."
Goalkeeper Guillaume Warmuz added: "This is an interesting scoreline ahead of the return leg. We knew that Willem II were no PSV Eindhoven or Ajax Amsterdam, but we were serious and we did not concede a goal. This will do us good."
Rennes meanwhile beat Spanish side Osasuna 3-1, much to the delight of goalscorer Alexander Frei.
"We must believe in our potential," Frei said after scoring two of the three goals for the Breton side.
"I think those three goals will be enough. We have progressed a lot in our past two matches. We suffered a very bad start to the season and asked ourselves questions. This is the type of situation that makes a team."
In the other games involving French sides, Auxerre overcame Bulgarian team Levski Sofia 2-1, while Strasbourg defeated Austrian side Graz AK 2-0. Lens drew 1-1 with Poland's Groclin Grodzisk.
Marseille were unable to find the back of the net in their goalless draw with Belgian side GB Anvers, but coach Jean Fernandez remained positive about his side's chances of qualification.
"We played against a well organised team in defence," he said.
"We lacked some creativity and quality in terms of crossing the ball. But it's still good to have clinched a 0-0 final score considering the return leg will take place at the Velodrome."
All six return legs will take place on September 29.
PA Sport
News headlines from around the world.