UEFA Cup first round, first leg/ Genclerbirligi 3; Blackburn Rovers 1: Graeme Souness watched in disbelief as his Blackburn players extended the hand of friendship to their opponents yesterday. It was meant to be the supporters bearing gifts, not his team.
Now Blackburn's progress is in doubt.
The match passed without incident after Genclerbirligi went out of their way to make Blackburn's travelling army feel at home.
But Souness' team were also in an agreeable mood, although the away goal could yet prove crucial.
Turkey midfielder Tugay captained the team. He was given the armband in the absence of Garry Flitcroft, who has a back problem. Dino Baggio made his first start for the club.
Dwight Yorke, who had been preferred to Andy Cole, needed treatment after five minutes. He appeared to hurt his back after falling awkwardly. However he was able to retake his place alongside Matt Jansen up front.
There was a scare for Blackburn after 10 minutes when a wayward clearance from Marcus Babbel set up Mustafa Ozkan - but he only succeeded in sending a weak header into the grateful arms of Brad Friedel.
Blackburn paid for their sloppy play by conceding two goals in a minute shortly before the interval. Josip Skoko opened the scoring in the 42nd minute by lobbing Friedel from 30 yards after the goalkeeper had headed out a long ball launched by Ozkan.
Souleymane Youla added a second soon after with a shot into the corner, after being released by Deniz Baris.
Souness switched things around at the start of the second half. He brought off the ineffective Jansen and replaced him with Cole.
Blackburn got themselves back in the game after 56 minutes following a flowing move. Vratislav Gresko picked out Cole, who cleverly released Brett Emerton. The Australian winger made no mistake from close range.
Blackburn's joy lasted only three minutes with Youla outstripping Amoruso for his second goal of the game.
Souness took off Yorke and Baggio in the 69th minute and brought on Steven Reid and Corrado Grabbi. Grabbi found space in the area but he snatched at the chance.
Blackburn now face an uphill task in the second leg at Ewood Park on October 15th.
GENCLERBIRLIGI: Tokgoz (Botonjic 45), Daems, El Saka, Ozkan (Akin 89), Youla, Bozkurt, Skoko, Tandogan (M'Bayo 79), Mercimek, Baris, Balci. Subs Not Used: Ozbey, Basturk, Cihan, Karaman.Booked: El Saka, Baris. Goals: Skoko 42, Youla 43, 60.
BLACKBURN: Friedel, Neill, Amoruso, Babbel, Gresko, Emerton, Tugay, Baggio (Reid 69), Thompson, Jansen (Cole 45), Yorke (Grabbi 69). Subs Not Used: Kelly, Martin Taylor, Johansson, Gallagher. Goals: Emerton 57.
Referee Paolo Vertini (Italy)
