Cup Winners' Cup / Second Round, First Leg
F.C. SION (SWITZERLAND) 1-2 LIVERPOOL
from Tourbillon Stadium, Switzerland
Thursday, October 17, 1996
Attendance: 16,500
Referee: Antonio Jesus Lopez Nieto (Spain)
Half-Time Score: 1-1
First Half Goal:
Robbie Fowler (24)
Second Half Goal:
John Barnes (60)
Players (Formation: 5-3-2):
David James (GK)
Phil Babb
John Scales
Dominic Matteo
Stig Inge Bjørnebye
Jason McAteer
John Barnes (Captain)
Michael Thomas
Steve McManaman
Patrik Berger
Robbie Fowler (Jamie Redknapp 68)
Substitutes Not Used:
Tony Warner (GK)
Neil Ruddock
Mark Kennedy
Stan Collymore
F.C. SION
Lehmann(GK), Gaspoz, Quentin, Wicky, Lukic, Vercruysse,
Bonvin (Vincze 80), Sylvestre, Lonfat, Zambaz (Chassot 67),
Milton.
Substitutes Not Used: Borer, Buhlmann, Colombo.
Yellow Card: Lehmann.
Goal Scorer: Bonvin 11.
WHAT THEY SAY ...
From Ken Gaunt, PA Sport in Sion.
John Barnes showed a cool head tonight in the foothills of the Alps to
guide Liverpool towards the quarter-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup.
Barnes maybe in the twilight of his career but it's doubtful if he's
played any better than he is doing at the moment.
He capped a tireless night's work by scoring the winner in this second
round first leg match at the picturesque Tourbillon Stadium.
Barnes' goal completed a good recovery by Liverpool, who were rocked
back on their heels in the 11th minute when Christophe Bonvin opened the
scoring.
Robbie Fowler, making his first appearance in four games after an ankle
injury, got the equaliser 13 minutes later.
Then Barnes, working hard in all areas of the park, got forward again to
ghost into the penalty box and head the winner on the hour.
Liverpool's noisy travelling support were overjoyed, chanting "we are
going to win the cup".
That maybe somewhat premature but Liverpool should have at least secured
a place in the quarter-finals next March.
Sion keeper Stephan Lehmann gave a superb show and it had not been for
the Swiss international, they would be going to Anfield in a fortnight in a
far worse state.
Liverpool manager Roy Evans decided to bank on Fowler after two fitness
tests in Switzerland with Stan Collymore dropping down the subs bench.
Patrik Berger could have given Liverpool the lead with less than a
minute on the Swiss clock, only to see his shot deflected for a corner.
Dominic Matteo was just left red-faced after 11 minutes when Yvan
Quentin played a long ball forward. Matteo played it woefully short to
keeper David James and Bonvin scampered away to send the home fans wild.
Liverpool continued to live dangerously and Alain Gaspoz fired a shot
over the top after a piece of slack play by Stig Bjornebye.
Steve McManaman saw a shot pushed away by Lehmann before Fowler
equalised with a scrambled goal.
Berger got on the end of Bjornebye's cross and Lehmann pushed the ball
onto the post. Fowler was on hand to steer it home for his first goal in
Europe.
Sion, unbeaten in the last two months following the arrival of Italian
coach Alberto Bigon, almost secured an equaliser when John Scales was
caught out of position.
To their relief, Bonvin sent the ball wide of the post after being set
up by Philippe Vercruysse.
Berger should have put Liverpool ahead after being put through by
Michael Thomas but the Czech Republic star could only knock it wide of the
post.
Sion continued to look dangerous going forward and Vladan Lukic headed
wide of the post following a free kick from Gaspoz.
Liverpool stepped up the pace and Lehmann again came to Sion's rescue by
pushing away a stinging free kick from Bjornebye. Jason McAteer latched
onto the rebound only to see his shot deflected for a corner.
Bjornebye floated the corner in and Barnes got away from his marker to
send a glancing header into the corner.
Lehmann was proving to be a formidable barrier and in quick succession
pushed out another shot from Bjornebye and then made a marvellous save from
a Berger header.
Lehmann then denied McManaman at point-blank range after Bjornebye and
Berger had linked up.
Liverpool keeper James was not severely troubled but he earned his corn
with a marvellous block from Johann Lonfat.
The Liverpool players stayed on the pitch at the end to salute their
fans, who continued to savour the victory long after the final whistle.
FOWLER GAMBLE REAPS REWARD
Liverpool manager Roy Evans took a gamble in Switzerland tonight and got
his reward.
Evans decided to start the Cup Winners' Cup match against Sion with
Robbie Fowler in his line-up.
Fowler had missed the previous three matches and was pulled out of the
England squad to face Poland in the World Cup because of an ankle injury.
But after two training sessions in Switzerland, Evans put him back in
the side and relegated Stan Collymore to the subs bench.
The move paid off with Fowler getting the opening goal in the 2--1
second round first leg victory, which makes the return match almost a
formality.
John Barnes got the winner after Christophe Bonvin had got a shock early
opening goal for the home side.
Evans said: "We took a chance with Robbie. He got a goal and that's what
counts.
"We showed a lot of character after going a goal down and seemed to be
bringing the best out of goalkeepers.
"It's a great result and it puts us in a good position but I still feel
the game it not over.
"Sion are a good attacking side and we gave away a dodgy goal.
"But we got a victory and that's what we're looking for in every game.
"To come away and win in these type of places is a good thing. It comes
down to hard work and a team performance."
Liverpool had been rocked back on their heels by Bonvin's goal following
a mistake by Dominic Matteo.
Evans said: "It was a still mistake by Dominic and a bad goal to concede
but we did create a lot of chances."
Liverpool now entertain the Swiss side in a fortnight at Anfield but
seem to have secured their place in the quarter-finals, which are being
held next March.
Tonight's result still keeps them on track to become the first English
club to win all three European competitions but Evans knows that is still a
good way down the line.
Now he will turn his thoughts to the small matter of the Merseyside
derby on Sunday against Everton as they try to continue their push for the
Premiership title.