Rangers 0 Fiorentina 0

Last updated : 24 April 2008 By Footymad Previewer
Rangers were held to a goalless draw by Fiorentina at Ibrox in the first leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final.

This result will not upset the home team too much, as much of their best work in Europe this season has come away from home.

The nearest either side came to a goal was a powerful shot by Adrian Mutu 15 minutes from time, which Neil Alexander saved well diving to his right.

The scoreline keeps the tie nicely balanced for the return leg, when the Gers will undoubtedly be strengthened by the return from suspensions of skipper Barry Ferguson and Kevin Thomson.

It was a nervous start with misplaced passes by both teams. David Weir headed clear a dangerous cross by Zdravko Kuzmanovic, before Jean-Claude Darcheville set off on a run from the halfway line, which ended with his cross being cut out by Gamberini.

Steven Whittaker flashed a shot wide from 25 yards before Mario Alberto Santana was booked for a bad foul on Darcheville.

Martin Jorgensen then threatened for the visitors with a powerful 20-yard shot which was held by Alexander.

The pace of Darcheville clearly worried the visitors, with their defenders taking turns to foul him every time the striker got possession.

The half finished with Alexander saving bravely at the feet of Santana, following a clever lay off by Giampaolo Pazzini.

Rangers applied some early pressure at the start of the second half, with Kirk Broadfoot's chip nearly putting Nacho Novo through.

A quick free-kick by Broadfoot to Novo caught out the Italian defence, but the striker shot wide when a bit more composure was called for.

Alexander punched out a deflected Mutu shot, but well before the end both teams seemed content to settle for a goalless draw.