Montpellier sweep into last four

Attacking formation
Forced to attack after their loss in France last Sunday, Brøndby employed central midfielder Anne Dot Eggers in a more forward position than usual. However, with winger Julie Rydahl Bukh out injured, the home side struggled to impose themselves and Montpellier soon took control.

Lattaf scores
Virginie Faisandier hit the crossbar with a fine shot from just outside the penalty area in the eight minute, and 17 minutes later Montpellier were ahead. Hoda Lattaf, who also opened the scoring in the first leg, lifted the ball beautifully over Brøndby goalkeeper Anne Olsen and into the top corner from 18 metres out.

Home side frustrated
Now Brøndby needed to score five goals, and in the 36th minute they had their first chance of the match when Mette Konge came close. Soon after Cathrine Paaske Sørensen headed a corner just off target, but they did not breach the visiting defence before the break and emerged from the second half with only three players at the back.

Deville saves
Sørensen again came close with a header four minutes into the second period, and five minutes later she was denied by the excellent Montpellier goalkeeper Celine Deville. However, Montpellier now had more space to counterattack and Lattaf went close twice, and Elodie Thomis threatened on the hour.

Brief equality
A minute later, though, Brøndby made it 1-1 as a free-kick from captain Gitte Andersen was deflected past a helpless Deville. But the Danish champions' hopes were still forlorn, especially after Thomis, who went close on 64 minutes, ran through the home defence five minutes later and beat Olsen to add to her two goals last week.

Montpellier through
Five minutes later Faisandier headed in a free-kick, and although Brøndby came close towards the end through Andersen, Cecillie Pedersen - who hit the crossbar - and Anne Jørgensen, Montpellier were already able to look ahead to their November encounter with 2002 winners Frankfurt, with the first leg in Germany.