Leroy leads way for PSG
Thursday, November 14, 2002
Article summary
Paris Saint-Germain FC 1-0 FC National Bucuresti (Agg: 3-0) Laurent Leroy scores only goal as Parisians win.
Article body
Paris Saint-Germain FC completed a 3-0 aggregate victory over FC National Bucuresti in the UEFA Cup second round with a 1-0 second-leg victory at the Parc des Princes.
Leroy winner
Luis Fernandez's side became the fifth French team to go into Friday's draw, after Laurent Leroy secured a perfunctory win with the game's only goal after 57 minutes, as he finished clinically after some excellent work by Selim Benachour.
Llacer denied
PSG started well with Francis Llacer coming close with a fine shot in the third minute but chances were at a premium in a tense opening period. National recovered to cause the home side some anxious moments, however, with Mauricio Pochettino having to be alert to deny Sabin Ilie three minutes before the interval.
Ronaldinho returns
However, PSG reasserted themselves after the restart with Ronaldinho, making his return from a groin injury, and the impressive Benachour both testing Bogdan Vintila before Leroy, who also put the French side ahead in the first leg, struck from close range.
Fightback
National refused to concede meekly and Lionel Letizi brilliantly saved from Ilie after 76 minutes before stopping Tiberiu Curt's effort nine minutes from time.