Zenit, Fiorentina gain away draws

Bayern Munich were held to a 1-1 draw by Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg and Rangers fought out a 0-0 stalemate with Fiorentina in the first legs of the UEFA Cup semi-finals last night.

The Bundesliga leaders led through Franck Ribery's 18th-minute goal but, sorely missing suspended striker Luca Toni, they wasted chances galore.

Brazil defender Lucio deflected a cross from Viktor Fayzulin past Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn for the shock equaliser on the hour that silenced the sell-out crowd of 66,000 on a chilly evening in Munich.

Ribery had first fluffed a penalty when his weak shot was blocked by Zenit goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev but the France playmaker made amends by firing the rebound into the left corner.

The winners of the Bayern-Zenit tie will play either Rangers or Fiorentina in the final in Manchester on May 14.

At Ibrox, the first half was a frustrating affair for Rangers and the home fans only rallied when Jean-Claude Darcheville burst from the halfway line on 17 minutes. But the move fizzled out when the French striker's cross was blocked and ran to Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey.

The Italian side came close with Argentine Mario Alberto Santana only denied five minutes from the interval by a fine tackle from Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar near the penalty spot.

Santana crashed in a fierce 30-metre shot on 75 minutes to force a fine save from Neil Alexander, but the tie finished goalless.

The second legs will be played next Thursday.