UEFA Champions League Results and Discussion Thread

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

All the news regarding the UCL is to be posted in this thread.

Results for MatchDay 2

Tuesday results

Zenit St Petersburg 1-2 Real Madrid

Villarreal 1-0 Celtic

Fenerbahce 0-0 Dynamo Kiev


AaB 0-3 Man Utd

Fiorentina 0-0 Steaua Bucuresti

Bayern Munich 1-1 Lyon

BATE 2-2 Juventus

Arsenal 4-0 FC Porto

Wednesday Results

Atletico Madrid 2-1 Marseille

Liverpool 3-1 PSV

Inter Milan 1-1 Werder Bremen

Bordeaux 1-3 Roma


Sporting 2-0 Basle

Anorthosis Famagusta 3-1 Panathinaikos

Shakhtar Donetsk 1-2 Barcelona

CFR Cluj-Napoca 0-0 Chelsea

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

Wednesday

Inter Milan 1-0 Anorthosis Famagusta

Adriano 43:06

Katsavakis 61:18

Atletico Madrid 1-1 Liverpool

Simao 82:32

Keane 13:17

Chelsea 1-0 Roma

Terry 77:02

Bordeaux 1-0 CFR Cluj-Napoca

Cadu 53:46

(RC)Trica 89:19

Basle 0-5 Barcelona

Messi 3:29
Busquets 14:37
Bojan 21:31
Bojan 45:44
Xavi 47:21

Panathinaikos 2-2 Werder Bremen

Mantzios 35:11
Mantzios 67:29

Mertesacker 28:53
Hugo Almeida 82:24

PSV 2-0 Marseille

Koevermans 70:56
Koevermans 84:28

Shakhtar Donetsk 0-1 Sporting

Liedson 75:56

Tuesday 21st October 2008

Zenit St Petersburg 1-1 BATE

Tekke 79:20

Nekhaychik 51:27

Man Utd 3-0 Celtic

Berbatov 29:03
Berbatov 50:51
Rooney 75:52

Bayern Munich 3-0 Fiorentina

Klose 3:55
Schweinsteiger 24:59
Ze Roberto 89:32

Villarreal 6-3 AaB

Rossi 27:40
Capdevila 32:24
Llorente 66:29
Llorente 69:09
Pires 78:36
Llorente 83:29

Saganowski 19:02
Enevoldsen 35:26
Johansson 76:57

FC Porto 0-1 Dynamo Kiev

Rolando 64:44

Aliev 26:45

Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid

Del Piero 4:57
Amauri 48:18

van Nistelrooy 65:38

Fenerbahce 2-5 Arsenal

Silvestre 18:37
Guiza 77:43

Adebayor 9:30
Walcott 10:40
Diaby 20:58
Song Billong 48:21
Ramsey 90:00(3:34)

Steaua Bucuresti 3-5 Lyon

Arthuro 7:24
Goian 10:13
Petre 44:14

Keita 22:39
Benzema 32:16
Fred 68:58
Benzema 71:45
Fred 90:00(1:11)

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

Antonio Lopez warned his Atletico Madrid team-mates that a gung-ho approach against Liverpool at Anfield could cost them.

With both Atletico and Liverpool comfortably clear at the top of Group D having taken seven points from their opening three matches, a good result on Tuesday would put the Rojiblancos a step closer to the knockout stages.

But Lopez is urging against all-out attack on Merseyside.

"We can't go crazy. Our opponents are an excellent unit and work very well together," he said.

"We have to try to impose our tempo on the game and take advantage of our chances."

Lopez was speaking after his side's 2-0 league win over Real Mallorca on Saturday, a result that came after stuttering Atletico had picked up just one point from their previous four Primera Liga matches.

"We needed to obtain a league win," admitted the Spain international.

"In the Champions League we are well placed, but in the league we have suffered several defeats and we needed a victory to get back to the top positions."

Atletico custodian Leo Franco, who played a crucial role in keeping Mallorca at bay after Sergio Aguero had given his side a 2-0 lead with an early brace, added: "It wasn't an easy victory and the most important thing is that we picked up three points.

"With this win we've moved back up the table. We went through a bad patch in which we only won in the Champions League, and it was fundamental to get back to winning ways."

Atletico are boosted by the return to fitness of goalkeeper Gregory Coupet while Aguero, as expected, was also named in the squad despite coach Javier Aguirre admitting the young Argentinian is still a couple of weeks away from being in peak condition.

However, defensive duo Tomas Ujfalusi and Giorgios Seitaridis both sit out the match due to injuries.

Liverpool go into the game on the back of their first defeat of the season.

The Reds lost their 15-match unbeaten run on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham, having dominated for long spells of the game.

But Dirk Kuyt, Liverpool's top scorer this term, is confident there will not be a hangover from the setback.

He said: "We are always under pressure, with a big game virtually every three days. We are used to such a situation.

"But we will not be looking backwards, we will be intent on securing qualification from our group as quick as possible.

"Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal have all lost games this season, and that was our first at Spurs.

"We have quality in our team and we know what we are capable of. We will set out to make sure we beat Atletico, we will not be worrying about what happened at Spurs.

"If we beat Atletico it will be a massive step forward, it could even see us qualify. We want to win every game, that attitude is not changing."

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

Luciano Spalletti insists he is feeling "no fear" ahead of Tuesday's crucial Champions League encounter with Chelsea.
Spalletti's team sit just one point clear of the relegation zone in Serie A and lie third in Champions League Group A after three games, three points behind leaders Chelsea and a point off surprise package CFR Cluj.

Roma were beaten 2-0 by Juventus on Saturday - their sixth loss in nine league games this season - and now sit fourth from bottom of the Italian league.

The storm clouds are gathering above the beleaguered Spalletti, but the coach insists he has the strength to turn the dismal situation around.

"To transmit fear to my team would be the worst thing I could do," he said. "I have no fear. We need to do a good job in terms of psychology.

"It's more difficult to come out of a crisis because every minor problem becomes blown up. But we are professionals and we must come out of this situation together."

It was only two weeks ago that Roma travelled to Stamford Bridge and showed signs of recovery when losing 1-0 to a John Terry goal.

Since then, however, the rot has set back in, and Spalletti knows the Blues will be formidable opponents even away from their London home.

"Against Chelsea we had a compact team," Spalletti continued. "Chelsea scored because of Terry's ability [at set-pieces].

"But we played the football we need to play. I think we had less shots on goal than they did but Chelsea didn't take many because we stopped them."

Spalletti added that Tuesday's game at the Stadio Olimpico was important not only for Roma's European aspirations, but for their season as a whole.

"Tomorrow's game is the most important one because it is our next game," he said.

"That result is going to affect our mood in view of our next league games against Bologna and Lazio."

Spalletti has yet to decide whether to risk captain Francesco Totti against Chelsea.

Totti limped out of training on Friday with a recurring knee injury and did not play against Juve at the weekend.

"We have to evaluate Totti's condition," Spalletti said. "We feel it's important to have Totti available. But it's equally important that the responsibility is the same for everyone whether Totti plays or not."

Roma will be without injured duo Alberto Aquilani and Vincenzo Montella.

Chelsea skipper John Terry has appealed to the club's 3600 travelling fans to be on their best behaviour in Rome.

A series of security measures have already been put in place to ensure there are no clashes between the two sets of supporters.

Roma's infamous 'ultras' have been blamed for inciting outbreaks of violence with Middlesbrough and Manchester United fans in recent years.

Terry said: "I want everyone travelling to be careful and sensible. Enjoy the city and the game. Let's all get home safe and with a good result."

Two years ago, three Middlesbrough fans were stabbed while in April last year, 11 Manchester United supporters were hospitalised due to incidents before their semi-final first leg.

Last December, seven United supporters were taken to hospital after the two sides met again in the group phase but their quarter-final this April passed without problems.

Spalletti has also appealed to supporters to be on their best behaviour on Tuesday.

"I hope the fans will behave and show good sportsmanship," he said. "I hope our fans will not react to provocation."

The Champions League final is being staged in Rome this season but UEFA president Michel Platini has already warned it could be moved if there is any more serious violence involving Roma's fans.

Meanwhile, Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole has been diagnosed with a small tear to his calf muscle and will be out for seven to 10 days.

Cole was injured during Saturday's 5-0 win over Sunderland and will miss Tuesday's game.

Ricardo Carvalho (hamstring), Michael Ballack (foot) and Michael Essien (knee) remain out.

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

Marseille will take on PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on the end of three consecutive matches without a point.
But playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa still believes his side can secure a top-two finish in Group D.

OM are looking to avoid a fourth straight pool defeat when they welcome the Dutch side to the Stade Velodrome on Tuesday.

With group heavyweights Liverpool and Atletico Madrid both currently on seven points, third place and qualification for the last 32 of the UEFA Cup looks to be the best Eric Gerets' men can hope for.

Ben Arfa has his sights set higher, though, saying: "We can win our last three matches in the pool. It will be difficult but we can do it.

"We will see if we have a chance to reach the last 16. We are taking each match as it comes and then we will see. You can't make any calculations.

"If we must go into the UEFA Cup, we will go there. But we want to win this important match against PSV - it is never good to have zero points in the Champions League."

OM were very disappointing in their 2-0 defeat to PSV a fortnight ago.

That result, secured thanks to a brace in the final 19 minutes from tall striker Danny Koevermans, put Huub Stevens' side in the driving seat in the race for third place.

"We were tired and we didn't create many chances - we just didn't play our football," added Ben Arfa, who should recover from a slight muscle strain picked up in Saturday's 3-1 win over St Etienne in Ligue 1 to feature on Tuesday.

Gerets will be hopeful Mamadou Niang is available again, with a back problem causing the striker a few problems over the past couple of weeks.

Club doctor Christophe Baudot admits Niang needs a long period of rest but with a busy November ahead of OM, he said the medical team "were working hard to allow him to return as quickly as possible, so why not Tuesday?"

Vitorino Hilton (quadriceps) and Lorik Cana (knee) are nursing injuries but should feature.

PSV boss Stevens, whose side's only points of the group stage came in the win over Marseille, admitted he would happily take a draw away from the Velodrome.

"It will be a very difficult game," he said.

"The crowd in Marseille is fanatical and for them the only good result is a win.

"They are fighting for their last chance. I will be satisfied with a draw.

"After two wins in the Eredivisie over the past week the team is full of confidence."

Jan Kromkamp and Mike Zonneveld travelled with the squad to Marseille but both players are unlikely to start.

Nordin Amrabat and Jeremie Brechet are definitely out.

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

Bordeaux will be without goalkeeper Ulrich Rame as they go in search of a second win over Cluj in Group A.

The veteran custodian has been troubled by adductor problems in the past month and the injury re-emerged during Les Girondins' 1-0 defeat to Nancy in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

"It is still the adductor in my right leg," said Rame.

"Tests will show if it is a strain but even if it is just minor, I will still have to have a period of rest."

Mathieu Valverde will replace Rame in goal in Romania as Bordeaux look to repeat their exploits of two weeks ago, when they beat the group's surprise package 1-0 to kick-start their Champions League campaign.

Cluj were sunk by an own goal by centre-back and captain Cadu early in the second half but they showed at the Stade Chaban-Delmas that they have enough quality to qualify for the last 16.

In their first two pool matches, they beat Roma away and then drew with Chelsea at home, against all the odds.

Bordeaux full-back Mathieu Chalme, whose side lost their opening two games, expects Les Girondins to monopolise possession on Tuesday but is wary of the hosts' threat on the break.

"They are a team that are well set up and who are going to try to exploit us on the counterattack," said the former Lille defender.

"It is us who are going to have all the ball but we know the slightest error will cost us dear.

"However, they know we have a lot of quality up front and that we can keep the ball well, so they will be on their guard."

A win for Bordeaux will lift them above Cluj and possibly into second place in the group, as long as Roma do not surprise leaders Chelsea in the pool's other match on Tuesday.

While the French side come into the match on the back of a defeat to Nancy, Cluj will be buoyed by Friday's 1-0 victory over Unirea Urziceni which lifted them into fifth position in Romania's Liga I.

Coach Maurizio Trombetta will have been delighted with the result but concerned by the knee injury sustained by chief striker Didi, and the Brazilian is a doubt for Tuesday.

Midfielder Eugen Trica is suspended and could be replaced by Ciprian Deac.

Aside from Rame, Blanc's biggest injury concern is Pierre Ducasse, who hurt his ankle against Nancy.

That will mean Brazil international Fernando should return to partner Alou Diarra in central midfield.

Blanc will have to decide who out of Fernando Cavenaghi and Marouane Chamakh spearheads the attack in a 4-5-1 formation, while Gabriel Obertan and Yoan Gouffran are competing for the right-wing berth.

Brazilian centre-back Henrique, sent off in the 3-1 defeat to Roma on matchday two, returns from suspension and should slot straight back into defence.

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

Werder Bremen are not being lulled into a false sense of security after their 5-1 win over Hertha Berlin at the weekend.
A contender for goal of the season by Diego helped Thomas Schaaf's men pick up their first win in seven matches, but they are keeping their feet firmly on the ground ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League tie against Panathinaikos.

A win against the Greeks could confirm Bremen's return to form, according to their director of sport Klaus Allofs.

"Only if we do not think we can do what we have been doing over the past few weeks can this be a turn for the better and not just a one-off," he said.

"Everybody has got to get it into their heads that we can only be successful when we play as a team.

"But I think everybody has understood that."

Bremen desperately need three points at the Weser Stadion on Tuesday to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Although Bremen have yet to lose a game in Europe this season, three draws have left them third in their group behind Internazionale and Anorthosis Famagusta.

"Draws are getting us nowhere," said Schaaf after his side's latest stalemate in Greece a fortnight ago.

Defender Naldo is convinced the tide has now turned.

"We are on the right path and if we keep going like this then we can get right back up there and set the Champions League alight," said the Brazilian defender.

"If we replicate the attitude shown against Berlin, then we will leave the field victorious."

The Bundesliga side are without midfielder Torsten Frings, who picked up his third yellow card in the competition in Greece to earn a suspension.

His place could go to Clemens Fritz or the more defensive-minded Jurica Vranjes.

Panathinaikos travel to Germany without Austria international Andreas Ivanschitz, who picked up a thigh injury at the weekend.

Nevertheless, they will be buoyed by their first win in five attempts at the weekend as goals from Ioannis Goumas and Gabriel earned them a 2-1 win at Panionios despite the sending off of Bryce Moon just eight minutes into the second half.

After that game, under-pressure boss Henk ten Cate said: "My players showed they have heart and passion to reverse the situation."

A win for them on Tuesday is even more important than it would be to Bremen as defeat would end all hopes of reaching the next stage.

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has urged his in-form side not to take Basle lightly in the Champions League on Tuesday.
After a shaky start to the domestic campaign, Guardiola's troops now sit pretty at the top of the Primera Liga after securing their 11th consecutive win on Saturday with a 4-1 romp at Malaga.

The Catalan giants also lead the way in Champions League Group C, having racked up nine points from their three pool games to date - including the hugely impressive result at St Jakob-Park last time out which equalled the biggest-ever away win in the competition.

Guardiola's team could clinch their place in the knockout phase with a draw on Tuesday if Shakhtar Donetsk lose at Sporting Lisbon, but the Barca boss insists Christian Gross' side should not be under-estimated when they visit the Nou Camp.

"We are not in the last 16 yet and we haven't beaten Basle yet," he warned.

"If we think tomorrow's game will be like the one a fortnight ago, we could be in for a nasty surprise. We've got to remember who our opponents are and give them the respect they deserve.

"I don't want to win 5-0. All I want the players to do is to keep on as they have done so far."

Midfielder Andres Iniesta agrees with his coach's assessment that the game will be a very different proposition to the one faced in Basle last month.

"It'll be nothing like the game in Switzerland," said the 24-year-old on www.fcbarcelona.com.

"They'll be coming with a different mindset as they have the chance to get at least a point.

"We have to be very careful with this game, as it's a chance to line up our qualification for the knockout rounds."

Iniesta admits the team are full of confidence due to their form and position at the summit of La Liga.

"The higher you are the better and that's the outcome of doing things well," he said.

"We have to play in each game as if it was the last one.

"If we carry on this way we'll be in with a shout for the title at the end of the season."

The Barca squad trained on Monday morning before heading to Navarra for the funeral of the father of goalkeeping coach Juan Carlos Unzue.

The only players missing from training were Seydou Keita, Eric Abidal and Gabriel Milito.

Tuesday's match will be Barcelona's fourth against Swiss opposition in European competition, with the hosts having triumphed in each of the previous three.

Basle have been boosted since the first meeting between the sides on October 22 by returning to the top of the Swiss Super League.

Gross, who looks set to abandon the 4-4-2 formation used in the home encounter and go with a more defensive outlook on Tuesday, will be without Scott Chipperfield for the trip.

The veteran Australia winger - who has netted four times for the Swiss champions this term - has undergone surgery to clear up an infection and could be sidelined until January.

Basle have yet to register a point in Group C and have scored only one goal in their three games so far.

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

Internazionale travel to Anorthosis Famagusta high on morale after claiming a win at Reggina on the weekend.
Jose Mourinho's team were in danger of drawing a third game in a row and falling further behind AC Milan in the league title race.

An Ivan Cordoba goal, however, gave the Nerazzurri a 3-2 victory and put them in a positive frame of mind for Tuesday's trip to Cyprus.

"The result against Reggina was obviously very important for us," said Mourinho. "It is the difference between clinching one point and taking three home.

"The goals have arrived at a very important moment for us because we ended a two-game winless run, whereby the team lost four points.

"I am happy with my players, with the spirit, the quality of play they showed in what was a fantastic game."

A win in Nicosia would effectively put Inter through to the knockout stage of this season's Champions League.

With two wins and a draw, the Italian side hold a three-point advantage over Anorthosis, who lie in second place in Group B with four points.

"This is important for us because a positive result would allow us to play the remaining group games of the Champions League with less pressure," said Internazionale president Massimo Moratti.

When these sides met in Milan a fortnight ago a goal from Adriano proved the difference as the hosts ran out 1-0 winners.

The Cypriots will not, however, have to worry about the Brazil striker's threat on Tuesday night after Mourinho decided to drop him from Inter's squad. It is the third successive game Adriano will miss.

"Adriano's exclusion was part of a technical decision that was already agreed between the coach and the player and not due to any other reason," Moratti said.

Instead, Mourinho is set to play with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ricardo Quaresma and Mario Balotelli.

Inter will have to do without defender Cristian Chivu because of a knee injury he sustained at against Reggina. The Romania international will be out of action for at least a month.

Mourinho will be hoping to recover midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, who is struggling with a muscular problem.

Anorthosis have impressed during their debut season in the Champions League so far, but will have a point to prove against Inter after suffering a 4-0 thumping at the hands of AC Omonia in domestic action at the weekend.

That defeat brought to an end a 39-game undefeated run in Division A.

Greece international Traianos Dellas expects his team-mates to bounce back against Inter.

"Against Omonia the blame lies purely with the players and I take personal responsibility for the second goal," he said.

"It was my mistake and it cost us the game.

"But big teams show their worth at hard times, and I think we are a big team."

Source: espnstar.com for all

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

Wednesday 5th November 2008
Venue: Celtic Park
Kick-off: 19:45

Celtic midfielder Barry Robson will shrug off a toe infection to play against Manchester United in their Champions League Group E clash at Parkhead on Wednesday night.

The Scotland player, who helped the Hoops return to the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle, missed training this morning but will be fit.

Manager Gordon Strachan, however, is still without Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Georgios Samaras, Chris Killen, Glenn Loovens and Marc Crosas.

Strachan anticipates a night of "good fun" in their Champions League Group E rematch with Manchester United at Parkhead.

A 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford last month left the Scottish champions on one point after three games and means a UEFA Cup spot is probably the best they can hope for this season after qualifying for the knockout stages in the previous two years.

Celtic faced United at Parkhead two seasons ago at the same stage of the competition where a Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick gave them an unlikely win and a last-16 spot, but after their recent comprehensive win in Manchester, the Red Devils are strong favourites to complete the double over the Glasgow giants.

However, the Celtic boss looked relaxed ahead of the game and when asked what lay ahead for his side, he replied: "Good fun, I'm looking forward to another exciting evening.

"It's another challenge, another dream and, yes, it should be good fun.

"We have to perform first, have a wee bit of luck, have some decisions going for us, with players playing at their maximum and the result takes care of itself."

United's win, decisive as it was in terms of possession, was helped by two goals from Dimitar Berbatov which both looked offside.

Strachan, though, played down any suggestions of bad luck in the first game and looked forward to another "magical" European night at Celtic Park.

He said: "Offside goals can happen, we didn't make a big song and dance of it and the better team won.

"But the better team doesn't always win.

"So hopefully we put the same amount of effort in again and try and put some pressure on Manchester United and get the breaks.

"European nights are fantastic at Celtic Park.

"Whatever happens in our careers as managers and coaches, it will not get any better than European nights here.

"This is a magical place and throughout the generations we have managed to create memories for the fans and there have been some special, special nights here that I will never forget and I'm sure the players feel the same way."

Sir Alex Ferguson must decide whether Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak will get to experience the unique atmosphere of a Champions League night at Celtic.

First-choice Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar has been left at home in readiness for the weekend trip to Arsenal, so Ferguson will hand one of the Dutchman's deputies a chance of helping guide the Red Devils into the knock-out phase with two games to spare.

Wes Brown (ankle), Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes (both knee) miss out, as does Gary Neville, who reported a minor niggle in training.

Michael Carrick believes the prospect of becoming history-makers will ensure Manchester United do not ease up in their quest for Champions League glory this term.

United head to Celtic tomorrow for the second part of their Battle of Britain duel knowing victory at Parkhead will effectively seal a place in the knockout stages with two games to spare.

Even for the holders it would be an impressive feat, offering Sir Alex Ferguson an opportunity to rest some of his key men for the last-day visit of Aalborg if the final standings in Group E have been decided after the Red Devils' trip to Villarreal on November 25.

But a few changes in personnel should not be mistaken for a half-hearted attitude. United are desperate to become the first side to retain Europe's most prestigious club prize and Carrick knows the target will ensure his team-mates remain fully motivated throughout their European campaign.

"No-one has won the Champions League twice in a row before but that is the goal," said Carrick.

"We set ourselves high standards and we have done it once. Why not again?

"There is no doubt the possibility of winning it again will drive us on this season.

"I have been at United for a couple of years now and know that winning things just makes you want to win more.

"It is not a case of thinking we have won the Champions League or I have done the Premier League, I will settle for that at the end of my career. I want to do it again and again.

"Moscow seems to pop up wherever you go now but in some ways you want to put it at the back of your mind because it doesn't really count for much now.

"It is nice to reflect on because it was such a special night but all that matters is being there in Rome at the end of May."