Grasshoppers forge firm advantage
Saturday 19 July 2008
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Veroljub Salatic opened the scoring (©Getty Images)
Goals from Veroljub Salatic, Gonzalo Zarate and Samel Sabanovic secured a convincing and deserved win for Grasshopper-Club.
Salatic strike
The Swiss club set themselves up perfectly for the return leg on 26 July by running out comfortable winners against PFC Chernomorets Burgas in front of 1,200 spectators at the Letzigrund. Coach Hanspeter Latour witnessed an extremely impressive display from his side, particularly in the first period, and they reaped the rewards for their early efforts in the 21st minute as Salatic reacted quickest following a corner to make it 1-0 from close range.
Swiss control
Shortly before the break, Zarate made it two to put them firmly in control. On a quick counterattack, the Argentinian was put through wonderfully by Raúl Bobadilla and finished coolly to double his side's lead. After the break, the Bulgarian side raised their game and put in a more determined performance to balance out the flow of play but Grasshoppers were to remain the stronger of the two teams, although they saw a good chance to increase their lead through Bobadilla go begging.
Spectacular third
With eleven minutes to go, Grasshoppers finally got their third. New signing Sabanovic measured up an effort on the edge of the box and drove home wonderfully from distance to complete the scoring and put his side comfortably in the driving seat as they prepare for the return leg in Bulgaria.
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