Betis aim to spoil Steaua return

Real Betis Balompié go into their second leg against FC Steaua Bucuresti with a narrow advantage after eking out a goalless draw in the first encounter at the Lia Manoliu stadium. However, after the first leg of the Spanish side's only previous encounter with Romanian opposition 20 years ago Betis also looked well-placed, only to lose on spot-kicks in the return leg. Steaua have fonder memories of penalty shoot-outs in the mid-1980s, having seen off FC Barcelona in the 1986 European Champions Clubs' Cup final in Betis' home city of Seville.

• Steaua impressed in their last away game in the UEFA Cup, taking a 3-1 first-leg lead in their Round of 32 tie against SC Heerenveen. Nicolae Dica, Dorin Goian and Sorin Paraschiv were all on target as Cosmin Olaroiu's team recovered from conceding an early Arnold Bruggink goal in the Netherlands, and although Heerenveen pulled one goal back in Bucharest, it was Steaua that progressed. It continued the former European champions' fine form in this competition, with Steaua having breezed through the group stage after an unbeaten campaign that brought eight points, including comprehensive victories against RC Lens and Halmstads BK - both at home.

• Betis were also thankful for a two-goal first-leg lead as they edged past AZ Alkmaar to secure a place in the last 16. Brazilian pair Diego Tardelli and Robert were both on target as late goals earned the side a significant advantage in Seville, which the Dutch team clawed back at the Alkmaarderhout to take the tie to extra time. Melli then struck to keep Lorenzo Serra Ferrer's side's European dream alive. Their campaign started in the UEFA Champions League, where a 1-0 win against Chelsea FC was the highlight as they finished third in Group G, earning a UEFA Cup berth.

• Still relative novices on the European stage, Betis have only once before encountered Romanian opposition, when they were drawn with FC Universitatea Craiova in the first round of the 1984/85 UEFA Cup. José Carlos Suarez's late goal looked to have set the Spanish side on course for victory in the first leg, but Sorin Cirtu forced extra time in the return, and Universitatea went on to triumph on penalties.

• Steaua are old hands by comparison, and have encountered Spanish opposition on no fewer than 19 previous occasions. Ten have ended in defeat, but the Romanian side triumphed when it mattered most, beating Barcelona in the 1986 European Champions Clubs' Cup final. The game remained scoreless after 120 minutes and Barça could not find the net from the penalty spot as Marius Lacatus and Gavril Balint converted to send the cup to Bucharest for the first time, producing one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.

• Steaua have largely been disappointed against Spanish opposition since, however, picking up just a point in the 1998/99 UEFA Champions League group stage against Club Atlético de Madrid. The Romanian club met no fewer than three Spanish sides during their 2004/05 UEFA Cup run, starting with a loss to Athletic Club Bilbao in the group stages. They then edged past Valencia CF in the last 32, before seeing their hopes ended by another team from the east coast of Spain, Villarreal CF.