Zabaleta hails awesome Espanyol

Defender Pablo Zabaleta is backing RCD Espanyol to land their first piece of European silverware after producing what he described as "a phenomenal performance" in Lisbon to edge past SL Benfica and into the UEFA Cup semi-finals.

Frantic second half
While the first leg in Barcelona was a flowing, fluctuating affair, the return was more attritional as the visitors, without their inspirational captain Raúl Tamudo, defended resolutely and in numbers to protect their 3-2 advantage. Benfica twice struck the woodwork in a frantic second half but with goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz in outstanding form, the Spanish Cup winners prevailed to set up a last-four meeting with Werder Bremen.

'Magnificent Iraizoz'
Zabaleta admitted Espanyol were fortunate at times but felt they earned their luck through their fierce determination. "We gave absolutely everything," the Argentinian international told uefa.com. "We suffered enormously, especially in the second half, but somehow we managed to repel everything Benfica threw at us. You could say we were lucky with the shots that hit the post but sometimes you deserve to get a bit lucky. We all worked so hard and Iraizoz was magnificent."

Miraculous save
The Spanish custodian kept Ernesto Valverde's men in the tie with one stunning save to deny Nuno Gomes from point-blank range midway through the second period. Zabaleta, who himself did a fine job keeping Simão quiet on Benfica's left, said: "That was the moment we believed we could do it. When the ball fell to Nuno Gomes it looked certain that Benfica would score, but somehow Gorka kept it out. As a defender you grow in confidence when you see your goalkeeper playing like that. We knew Benfica would increase the pressure as the game progressed and we knew we'd need a phenomenal performance – thankfully that's what we produced."

Bremen challenge
Beaten by Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the UEFA Cup final in 1987/88, Espanyol's current crop hope to go one better this term, but must first overcome another Bundesliga outfit before entertaining thoughts of an all-Spanish final at Hampden Park. Although Francisco Chica, Luis García and Zabaleta will sit out the semi-final first leg through suspension, the 22-year-old believes in his team's chances. "We're in the last four with the best sides in the competition, and all four of us have a chance," he said. "If we are going to beat Bremen, we'll have to be as strong and together as we were tonight. But we've shown great form in Europe and our confidence is growing."