UEFA Cup: Bayern Munich and Rangers Fail at Home

I'm afraid the first round of UEFA Cup semi finals went the same way as the UEFA Champions League, with a couple of dull boring draws.

I'd swear I watched four edgy cup finals this week. Let's hope this means we are in for a couple fantastic finals come May!

I'll start in Germany where Bayern Munich were held to a 1-1 draw by Zenit St Petersburg. Bayern have now not won a game in the competition since hammering Anderlecht 5-0 away in the first leg of the round of 16.

That's four games without a win, and they're not looking like the favourites they were earlier in the competition.

Franck Ribery scored the opener (19) with a rebound from his own penalty. The Germans looked comfortable throughout the first hour, but were upset by a Lucio own goal in the 62nd minute.

There were further problems for Bayern when injured keeper Oliver Kahn was replaced shortly after the equalizer.

Neither team could convert numerous late chances, and this one ended 1-1, with I have to say, Zenit in the driving seat.

Zenit lost at home to Bayer Leverkusen in the last round, but their tie was already dead and buried thanks to Zenit's 4-1 win in Germany. You'd have to expect a different performance at home by the Russians next Thursday.

In the other game, an injury-hit Rangers side held off Fiorentina's advances to secure a 0-0 result at home. The result was exactly what the Scots wanted, and with numerous players returning for the second leg in Florence, Rangers are still in it.

Only one controversial moment in this one, with the referee failing to book Adrian Mutu for a blatantly deliberate hand ball. The Romanian striker clearly tried to score with his hand, and was rightly penalised.

It was a huge let off for Fiorentina, as had he been booked, he would've been sitting out next weeks second leg in Florence.

I'm still eagerly anticipating next weeks European games, and let's hope every team has a go at making up for this weeks bore fest!