By Dundeefc.net
April 25 2002

Dundee went down to a heavy 4-1 defeat, Ivano started with three players (Carranza, Nemsadze & Romano) who were obviously injured. The defense had a nightmare and if they were following the Boss' tactics to the letter then he's at fault as well.

DUNDEE 1 (Caballero 31)
Aberdeen 4 (Zerouali 26, 50 & 69, Mackie 81)

Attendance:8,359

Referee: John Underhill

Langfield Del Rio, Smith, Marrocco, Khizanishvili Carranza, Romano, Rae, Nemsadze, Milne, Caballero

Subs:
Garrido (for Carranza 51)
Gatti (for Nemsadze 75)
Mackay (for Khizanishvili 90)
Mathers, Naveda

Sent Off:
Dundee: -
Aberdeen: -

Booked:
Dundee:Khizanishvili, Smith, Caballero
Aberdeen: Bisconti, McGuire, Mackie, Thornley, Dadi

The game started with Fabian Caballero and Alessandro Romano both back in the starting line up.

Also starting was Beto Carranza and Georgi Nemsadze who were both considered doubtful in the run up to the game. It was particularly surprising to see Beto starting when it was clear to anyone at Hamilton on Wednesday that he is injured.

A Hicham Zerouali hat-trick in the 4-1 rout over Dundee ensured a first away win of the season for Aberdeen. There was little between the sides in the early stages with most of the play centring around the middle third of the park.

But the game came alive in the 26th minute when Aberdeen took the lead with their first shot on target.

Thornley's 20-yard drive could only be blocked by Jamie Langfield and the ball bounced free back into the penalty area.

First in for the kill was Dons striker Zerouali and the Moroccan had the easiest of tasks to net from only eight yards out.

The setback stunned the Dark Blues into action and they pulled level only five minutes later.

Beto Carranza released Fabian Caballero with a fine pass which split the Dons defence.

Goalkeeper Esson raced from his goal-line but Fab simply lobbed the ball over his head and into the back of the net for a well taken equaliser.

Dundee could have taken the lead moments later after good work again by Beto Carranza.

The midfielder reached the by-line and his cut-back fell to the feet of Steven Milne.

Savo eventually got a shot in from six yards out but Esson threw himself to his left to pull off a fine save.

Minutes from the interval, Beto Carranza had a powerful shot from outside the box which had Esson struggling to punch clear.

Dundee were fired up for the second half and from the kick-off looked a more confident and determined team.

But it was Aberdeen who regained the lead after 50 minutes.

Mackie sent Zerouali through on goal and, although the Moroccan looked offside, he continued and blasted the ball through Jamie Langfield's legs from eight yards out.

The game was swinging from end to end now and more goals looked likely.

Dundee continued to push forward leaving gaps at the back and Aberdeen looked more than capable of adding to their lead.

The Dundee defence was being cought out with the long high ball over the top time and time again.

It was clear to everyone inside the ground that either Alessandro Romano was injured or just wasn't interested, however he somehow remained on the park.

There was no surprise after 69 minutes when Aberdeen scored again.

Darren Young split the Dundee defence with a crossfield pass and Zerouali, once again looking suspiciously offside, raced on into the box, steadied himself and blasted the ball high into the net.

The Moroccan was then substituted for Eugene Dadi and took the acclaim of the large travelling support (Aberdeen bring a larger support to Dens than the Arabs!).

But Aberdeen were not finished and went on to add a fourth goal nine minutes from time to compound the misery for Ivano's side who were left reeling.

This time it was Thornley whose pass split the Dundee defence and Mackie was left all alone to round Jamie Langfield, who was left totally exposed again, and shoot into an empty net.

After this goal went in their was rumblings from a section of the home support that Ivano had got it totally wrong - however wont admit his mistakes - he obviously started with at least 3 injured players (Carranza, Nemsadze & Romano) and it was a disgrace that Romano lasted the full 90 minutes.

Does this mean that Ivano is favouring certain players over others?

He now has ten days before the CIS cup trip to Dingwall and in that time he better get the defence sorted out and the fitness and desire of the players back up to par.