Outstanding evolution of Rapid in UEFA Cup left … a bitter taste on "Parc Des Princes"

The game between Rapid Bucharest and Paris Saint Germain disputed for the first round of the first stage of UEFA Cup brought to the railway team an encouraging result of equality (0-0). Although PSG was the favorite of the game, this status proved to be very honoring against a team full of discipline and trust. We can appreciate that Rapid succeeded to give "a slap on the face" to the arrogant Parisian football and, in the same time, a drop of hope to the thousands of supporters that dream for years to repeat the successes obtained by the Romanian teams. Teased with declarations like: "PSG is one of the few teams which aspire to gain UEFA Cup" Giulesti team stayed calm and modest, demonstrating their value on the field. Even if PSG had several chances for the qualification in the next phase, taking into consideration the difference of caliber (at any level, including financial) between the two groups, Rapid will enter in the history of the Romanian football with the equality obtained on "Parc des Princes". Being characterized by lack of speed and force in attack, the Parisians can "praise" only with a modest start in UEFA Cup, fact that offers a high degree of difficulty to the return match in Bucharest. The null result achieved against the rail sportsmen, who are not, till the contrary will be demonstrated, a terror on the European territory, it is not at all an encouraging score for the Parisian "losers".

 

Superstars of the European Football, "kneed" by Pancu, Chirita and Dolha

The outstanding start through the shot a little bit "over" sent by Aloisio in the first minute proved to be only a hope. Rapid team seemed first of all willing to destroy all French players actions leaving aside the idea to build something. They gain some courage when they felt that the Parisians have problems in the left flank, covered only by Cisse, Chirita's centering starting to become very dangerous. Fernandez did not change anything almost for an hour. He "threw" two full backs around Pancu from the beginning, he advanced five players in front of them, and in the outposts he formed a triangle: Ronaldinho, Alex and Aloisio. In the second half in the Parisian team entered Okocha and Anelka, but nor this solution surprise the solid defense of Giulesti team.

It would be unfair not to recognize that there were clear occasions for the French players, too, but they were not sufficient to overpass the class of the goalkeeper Dolha.

By the excellent evolution from this match, Rapid Bucharest succeeded to erase from the football-like vocabulary of the Parisians the word "Gitano", term which they frequently used when meeting us at every match between Romanian and French teams, thus Giulesti guys imposing RESPECT on the famous "Parc des Princes".

Soon after the end of the game, the Romanians have raised their hands as for a victory and saluted the few Giulesti supporters that accompanied their favorites and who in those moments felt the taste of victory. On the Rapid technical bench, everyone was hugging.

"At the drawing of lots, we thought that our chances are 35%. Today we think that they are bigger, even if Paris continues to be the favorite. It has such good players…", wanted to specify at the end of the game Mr. Viorel Hizo, the coach of Rapid team.