[Forza_Roma]

The goal was big for Livorno...gives them some hope

UEFA Cup, Rd 3 - 14/2/07
Livorno 1 - 2 Espanyol
Pandiani pen 27 (E), Moha 59 (E), Galante 82 (L)
Stadio Picchi

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Livorno face an uphill struggle to qualify after a 2-1 home UEFA Cup defeat to Espanyol, but were boosted by Fabio Galante's late goal.


The arena did not pass the strict new safety requirements, so the first leg of the Round 3 clash was played behind closed doors.


It was one of the Amaranto’s most experienced players who allowed the Spaniards to take the lead, as Ghanaian international defender Samuel Kuffour brought down Chica for Walter Pandiani to convert a penalty.


Marco Amelia was also kept busy throughout the first half, fingertipping a Mohamed ‘Moha’ El Yaagoubi strike out of the top corner and parrying a Coromimas effort.


Cristiano Lucarelli’s late goal in the Group stage allowed Livorno to get this far and he almost equalised on the stroke of half-time with a trademark header.


January signing Stefano Fiore brought a save out of Gorka after the break, but Espanyol were always more dangerous and Jarque thumped the crossbar.


Moments later it was 2-0, as Moha drilled a left-foot finish into the bottom corner past Amelia’s outstretched hand.


Paulinho and Dario Passoni also had efforts for the home side, while Amelia kept out Pandiani and Corominas.


Livorno gave themselves slender hope of staying in the competition when Galante hit the back of the net eight minutes from time. The veteran defender rose to nod in a Passoni corner kick.


Goalkeeper Amelia ran up for the final corners in stoppages, but they couldn't bundle the ball over the line. This means the Amaranto are going to have to win in Spain if they are to continue in Europe this term.


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Livorno: Amelia; Grandoni, Kuffour, Galante, Pasquale; Filippini, Morrone (Coppola 72), Passoni, Cesar (Paulinho 60); Fiore (Pfertzel 77); Lucarelli


Espanyol: Gorka; Velasco, Jarque, Lacruz, Chica; Ito, Costa, Corominas (Moises 88); Moha (Riera 60), Rufete; Pandiani (Luis Garcia 76)


Ref: Larroy (Fra)

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