Mixed UEFA Cup Fortunes

Bayer Leverkusen effectively shot themselves in the foot as far as progressing to the UEFA Cup semi-finals Thursday by losing 3-0 at home to Spanish side Osasuna.

The Germans’ quarter-final opponents struck in the opening minute and twice more in a 90 second spell in the second-half for an emphatic triumph which puts the 1988 champions in danger of crashing out unless they can stage a remarkable fight-back in Spain next week.

Javier Cueller gave the Spaniards a dream start when he headed home a corner kick 55 seconds into the first leg game in Germany. David Lopez doubled the lead in the 71st after his first attempt was saved by goalkeeper Rene Adler.

Leverkusen's biggest home defeat in Europe was sealed less than two minutes later with a lobbed own goal by Pierre Webo, who had come on as a substitute just seconds earlier.

Leverkusen controlled possession but were unable to crack the firm Osasuna defense which has allowed just one goal in six UEFA Cup games.

“Things don't look good for us now. We didn't play up to our potential while they were good on the counter and deserved to win,” said Leverkusen's Germany midfielder Bernd Schneider.

Lopez and Enrique Coralles will miss the return leg at home after being booked for time-wasting, but the match next Thursday appears a mere formality for Osasuna, who are one of three Spanish clubs in the final eight.

Werder still in with a shot

Werder Bremen, the other German side still in the UEFA Cup, faced their second Dutch side in as many rounds as they traveled to AZ Alkmaar.

Bremen fought to a difficult 0-0 draw which extended the Dutch side's unbeaten run at home to 30 games since they entered European competition in 1977.

Coached by former Barcelona and Holland manager Louis van Gaal, Alkmaar went into the match as the competition's top scorers this season but a resolute Bremen defense kept the free-scoring Dutch at bay – and nearly grabbed themselves a valuable away goal in the process.

Clemens Fritz had the Germans’ best chance when he sprinted onto a defense-splitting back-heel from playmaker Diego but his shot was well saved.

Alkmaar started slowly and their first chance came on the half-hour when winger Julian Jenner crossed for Maarten Martens but his header was turned over the bar by Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese.

The second-half was much livelier with Werder’s left back Pierre Wome and Diego both denied by great saves by AZ goalie Boy Waterman.

Tim Wiese was also busy at the other end; the best save of the half coming when he smothered a close range attempt from Belgian striker Moussa Dembele.