Middlesbrough escaped Bucharest with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Steaua in their UEFA Cup semifinal first-leg clash last night.
Boro had keeper Mark Schwarzer to thank for keeping the deficit to one goal - the Australian could do little to stop Nicolae Dica putting Steaua ahead after he turned and arrowed in a shot.
But Schwarzer pulled off a finger-tip save to send a Dorin Goian strike over before denying Dica after Stuart Parnaby's fluffed clearance.
Yakubu hit the crossbar with a Boro header but they rarely threatened.
Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren was relieved his side escaped with just a 1-0 loss: "We're delighted. The first half was very good, but in the second half we made mistakes.
"It could have been worse, 2-0 or 3-0, and it would have been impossible to come back."
He added: "Next week it will be a completely different game. We know we can play better."
Steaua coach Cosmin Olaroiu was disappointed his team did not press home their advantage with more goals.
"I have a bitter taste after this victory," said Olaroiu.
Boro had keeper Mark Schwarzer to thank for keeping the deficit to one goal - the Australian could do little to stop Nicolae Dica putting Steaua ahead after he turned and arrowed in a shot.
But Schwarzer pulled off a finger-tip save to send a Dorin Goian strike over before denying Dica after Stuart Parnaby's fluffed clearance.
Yakubu hit the crossbar with a Boro header but they rarely threatened.
Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren was relieved his side escaped with just a 1-0 loss: "We're delighted. The first half was very good, but in the second half we made mistakes.
"It could have been worse, 2-0 or 3-0, and it would have been impossible to come back."
He added: "Next week it will be a completely different game. We know we can play better."
Steaua coach Cosmin Olaroiu was disappointed his team did not press home their advantage with more goals.
"I have a bitter taste after this victory," said Olaroiu.
