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Unirea Urziceni 1-0 Sevilla: Own Goal Gifts Hosts Victory

The Romanians take a big step towards the knockout stages....

Nov 24, 2009 9:34:34 PM

Galamaz, Negredo, Arlauskis, Unirea, Sevilla (MARCA)

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Galamaz, Negredo, Arlauskis, Unirea, Sevilla (MARCA)

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Unirea Urziceni 1-0 Sevilla Lineups, Stats
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Sevilla still have work to do to top their group after losing to Unirea Urziceni by a solitary goal at the Steaua Stadium in Bucharest.

An Ivica Dragutinovic own goal just before half-time decided the encounter as the Andalusian outfit failed to make their dominance tell on the scoreboard as the woodwork came to the Romanians rescue on a couple of occasions.

The hosts made a very bright start and had the ball in the net after just two minutes when Pablo Brandan scored but it was disallowed for an infraction in the box.

Frederic Kanoute hit the post and Alvaro Negredo hit the crossbar with a header as Los Nervionenses began to dominate with influential Ivorian midfielder Didier Zokora orchestrating things in the middle of the park. Jesus Navas and Diego Capel looked lively but the visitors didn't seem to demonstrate the sort of intensity which saw them win 13 of their last 16 outings in all competitions.

Then just before the break, Sevilla gifted a goal to the Romanian champions as Serbian defender Dragutinovic misread a long ball from Unirea and headed past Javi Varas to hand the hosts their sixth goal in the group stages and amazingly their third from an opposition player.

The second half began in similar fashion with Sevilla dominating proceedings. Negredo sent a blistering free-kick goalwards from 30 yards but it flew over Giedruis Arlauskis' crossbar.

Navas continued to show great energy down the right and it seemed that everything Sevilla did came through the winger but the goal didn't come. In fact Unirea could have doubled their lead on a rare foray forward on the counterattack but Dacian Varga only managed to hit the side netting after Marius Bilasco's knock on.

Varga was easily the Romanians greatest threat and he had another couple of efforts on goal but never really troubled Varas in the Sevilla goal.

Manolo Jimenez introduced Argentine winger Diego Perotti in place of Negredo for the final twenty minutes and although he did add a new dimension Arlauskis was equal to the threat. The 'keeper had to be on his toes to block from Abdoulay Konko in stoppage time as Unirea held on for a memorable victory, their first at home in the Champions League.

Sevilla still need a result against Rangers in their final game to secure top spot and the Romanians only need a draw against Stuttgart in Germany to secure their place in the next round.

Paul Madden, Goal.com

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