Lokomotiv steam past hapless Bayern Munich

ROUND-UP

While former European champions generally fared well in Uefa Cup action last night, Bayern Munich suffered a surprising home defeat in their first round, first leg.

The German giants were shocked by a 71st-minute goal by Yevgeni Kharlachav, which gave Lokomotiv Moscow a 1-0 advantage to defend in the return in Russia in a fortnight's time.

Bayern, who have never been knocked out at this stage, spent much of the second half firing shots at the Lokomotiv goal, but they were caught out when Kharlachav broke on to a pass from Oleg Garin, evaded goalkeeper Oliver Kahn and curled in the winner.

The Germans lost their libero, Thomas Strunz, with a thigh injury in the 15th minute, and were without the French international striker, Jean- Pierre Papin.

Roger Garcia scored a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Israel's Hapoel Beer Sheva 7-0. The Catalonians controlled most of the possession, making Beer Sheva's inexperienced goalkeeper, Shaul Smadja, the busiest player on the field, and the team from the Negev Desert town, making their debut in European competition, were outclassed.

Milan struggled in the first half before easing to a 4-0 home victory over Poland's Zaglebie Lubin. The five-times champions produced only Dejan Savicevic's goal in the first half to entertain a crowd of just 8,000 at San Siro, but a headed own goal by Stefan Machaj immediately after the restart settled them.

PSV Eindhoven similarly took time to put their game in order against MyPa Anjalankoski in Finland. Tami Mahlio almost put the Finns ahead in the second minute with a header that goalkeeper, Ronald Waterreus, kept out. The midfielder was finally rewarded in the 28th minute, when he returned a defensive header with interest. MyPa kept the lead until the 50th minute when Ronaldo pounced to earn the Dutch a draw.