Zvezda end Chievo's adventure
Thursday, October 3, 2002
Article summary
Chievo 0-2 Crvena Zvezda (Agg: 0-2)
The former European champions stun Chievo.
Article body
Two goals suffice
The Italian side's first season in UEFA club competition was brought to an abrupt end as the Yugoslavian side, European Champion Clubs' Cup winners in 1991, scored twice in the second half through Ivan Gvozdenovic and Dejan Milovanovic. With the first leg in Belgrade having ended goalless, those goals were enough to take Crvena through.
Slow start
After a cautious start, the first chance came after 15 minutes when Simone Perrotta's effort was saved by Vladimir Disljenkovic. However, the visitors hit back and Cristiano Lupatelli saved twice in quick succession on 27 minutes. From the resultant corner, Crvena Zvezda went close again, but Nemanja Vidic's header was scrambled clear off the goalline.
Chances spurned
The best chances of the opening period came in the space of a minute. After 33 minutes Chievo forward Massimo Marazzina miskicked with the goal at his mercy, then Lupatelli misjudged a high ball to present Crvena striker Mihailo Pjanovic with a great chance, but he pulled his shot wide of the open goal.
Boskovic denied
Ten minutes after the resumption, the visitors again went close with Branko Boskovic heading wide when well placed. Five minutes later, Chievo were denied by the woodwork when substitute Daniele Franceschini crashed a shot against the bar.
Deadlock broken
The breakthrough for Crvena came after 70 minutes. Pjanovic made the initial break down the left before committing Lupatelli. His shot was blocked but Gvozdenovic was on hand to convert the rebound. The win was sealed four minutes from time when Milovanovic, introduced just seven minutes earlier, sent a scorching shot past Lupatelli from 25 metres.