A tale of two penalties

FK Crvena Zvezda 0-0 AC Chievo Verona
The second leg of the UEFA Cup first-round tie between FK Crvena Zvezda and AC Chievo Verona is sure to be a closely fought affair if this goalless draw in Belgrade is any guide.

Gilted-edged chances
In a tight game both sides missed golden opportunities to take a lead into the return in a fortnight's time, each team squandering a penalty. The spot-kicks represented the only clear sight of goal for either side in a dour game, but in each case, the opposing goalkeeper produced a good save to thwart the respective kickers.

Good stop
The home team's opportunity arrived first, Dragan Bogavac winning a penalty in the 28th minute having been held back by Federico Cossato. However, Chievo goalkeeper Cristiano Lupatelli produced a fine save down low to his left to deny Pjanovic and temporarily silence the vociferous home support.

Dead ball threat
The most likely source of a goal seemed to be from set-pieces, but both defences held firm and gave the opposing attackers very little space in which to work. Zvezda centre-back Dragan Mladenovic did have two half-chances from free-kicks, but on each occasion he seemed surprised that the ball had found its way through to him at the far post and failed to connect properly.

Sprawling save
Chievo's own penalty chance arrived just past the hour, Massimo Marazzina having his shirt pulled by Nemanja Vidic. However, Chievo captain Eugenio Corini's low shot was turned away by Vladimir Disljenkovic in the Zvezda goal.

Del Neri guarded
Chievo coach Luigi Del Neri, said: "I thought that we played well, but a draw is no guarantee of success in the return leg." His Zvezda counterpart, Zorana Filipovic, said: "It a shame we did not score since we deserved better than 0-0."