City can learn from Bohs!

**pete** · 12/07/2001, 10:03 AM

I think Bohs have shown us the way last night. they did the complete opposite of us.

They put the estonians on the defensive from the start & as they say the best defense is a strong attack. The Estonians couldn't committ players to attack as they were pegged into their own half!

The point is if you sit back & let the eastern euopean come at you then they look good. If you attack from all areas they get rattled & can't cope! Remember CSKA Kiev? EX-russian internationals etc...? Didn't stop City dominating & winning 1st half 2-0?

**joe** · 12/07/2001, 10:06 AM

Did Bohs play with an attacking formation?

**pete** · 12/07/2001, 10:36 AM

4-4-2 with Rutherford pressing forward ala Ollie C constantly. Fullbacks pushed forward at amny opportunity & even Maher & Avery John went on a few surging runs.

Although its difficult to know how the game would have went if Bohs didn't get 2 goals from corners in the first 10mins.

I previously said the estonians kept bohs at bay witht eh offside trap but it was more accurately Nesovic doing the hard work for them

Its a wonder how we were so close to Bohs & $hels last season

Gerry Desmond · 12/07/2001, 11:34 AM

A positive attitude is important for NL teams going into Europe. It is difficult, however, to simply acquire one. I think in City's case v Metalurgs we should bear in mind that it was the first game of the season for the lads while Bohs at least have a few Super Cup games behind them. Also they are reigning league and cup holders with a strong squad and that generates its own confidence.
I think in fairness to Murph he faced a Metalurgs side top of their league while his own team was well short of match practice. I actually believe he was correct to adopt a cautious approach to the game. That said, however, when it was obvious that the Latvians were no world beaters I think we should have changed the formation in the second half but this didn't happen until we were a goal down, so I would disagree with his tactics there. Again, with just a modicum of luck - if Daly's miskick hadn't happened and if Morley's spotter hadn't been saved - City would have gone through on away goals.
So near but yet so far...Still I rank it as our most disappointing Euro result ever, even worse than the 2:3 v Cwmbran in Wales.
Gerry

**pete** · 12/07/2001, 12:30 PM

I'm sure many will say the ties against bayern Munich but I still think the galatasary home match was the best City performance in Europe.

Sure the weather was a bit damp but was amazing to see City play them off the park & not win by a couple of goals. Suppose its again down to the confidence factor?

Gerry Desmond · 12/07/2001, 12:44 PM

Yeah, I'd say confidence had a lot to do with it as City were league champs at the time and went on to have a season where they finished runners-up and played very attractive football too. The club was also 'up' because Bishopstown was a reality and hosting its first UEFA tie.
That Gala game! A single error by Davy B allowed them to poach their goal, while Glynny missed a sitter near the end. Had those two incidents happened the other way around (much like @ home v Metalurgs), City would have gone through on away goals! Och!!!

Anyone else got favourite/worst City Euro memories?
Gerry

**James** · 12/07/2001, 1:00 PM

favourite
that match in musgrave park...the whole build up to the match...taking the day off school, driving up from Skibbereen for the game, the full house in Musgrave park, and then the goal.and the look on Dave Barry just before he got mobbed and buried in disbelieving city players.magic

worst
the home tie against Slavia Prague in bishopstown. A 4-0 hammering and we were totally outplayed and outclassed.

**joe** · 12/07/2001, 1:18 PM

the quick answer: best & worst, both metalurgs away

Gerry Desmond · 12/07/2001, 1:25 PM

Originally posted by James
favourite
that match in musgrave park...the whole build up to the match...taking the day off school, driving up from Skibbereen for the game, the full house in Musgrave park, and then the goal.and the look on Dave Barry just before he got mobbed and buried in disbelieving city players.magic

worst
the home tie against Slavia Prague in bishopstown. A 4-0 hammering and we were totally outplayed and outclassed.

Yeah, James, that Bayern result stands with ANYTHING any Irish club has achieved, I think. I was stewarding that evening and nearly jumped out of my yellow bib when Dave banged that stunner home. Pity Effenberg squeezed the draw out of it for the Germans! I remember BBC's Match of the Day calling it the 'result of the night in Europe' and they showed the goal as the credits rolled!

As for Slavia, I think nobody realised how good they were - possibly even themselves. They had never won away from home in Europe before, but suddenly had assembled a bunch of class performers. Berger, Smicer, Suchparek, Beibl and several others went on soon afterwards to have careers with some of Europe's most famous clubs. The last 20 mins against Slavia recalled the time Borussia Moenchengladbach stuffed Cork Hibs at Flower Lodge 5:0, which was the half-time score too, I think. I know I've lost a lot of you with that one (

) but it was a stunning performance from Netzer, Heynckes (manager of Bayern in 1991 @ Musgrave Park), Vogts (later German national teamchef), Bonhof, Wimmer etc etc.
I think the home crowds v Borussia & Slavia, although a generation apart, were united in a rare display of admiration for a visiting team.

Keep the memories coming!
Gerry

**pete** · 12/07/2001, 2:25 PM

I don't view the Salvia game as a disappointment cos although city were poor Slavia Prague were a class act - I never have any problems when beaten by a better team its just the "what if's....." that depress me.

All anyone could do was sit back & admire the chech performance as they ran City ragged

Gerry Desmond · 12/07/2001, 3:16 PM

Agreed 100%, rebel! That's why I rate Cwmbran as a very disappointing result. City should have done them comfortably home and away instead of going 0:3 down and finally scraping through on away goals with a couple of minutes remaining in the second leg. good comeback under the circumstances, though...
Gerry

**pete** · 12/07/2001, 3:52 PM

I would have to go & check up how the 'class act' Savia Prague outfit we played did in Europe that year

1994/95 UC Q1: Cork City (IRL), 2-0 & 4-0*
R1: AIK Solna Stockholm (SWE), 0-0* & 2-2

Out on away goals in the first round wasn't what I was expecting but they did get to the semi-final of the UEFA CUP the next season so I suppose I can convince myself they were the same team then

**niamh** · 12/07/2001, 10:07 PM

Definitely the Bayern Munich match in Musgrave Park..until they equalised but also the 1:0 home result against Goteburg. Considering they regularly compete in the Champions League it was a good result.

**niamh** · 12/07/2001, 10:08 PM

Also a good point about Bohs BTW. They are leading the way for Irish clubs in Europe and we should follow their example now. And to think that before last year's matches City were the team people citied when talking about Irish clubs in European competition...