Champions League Round Up-21st Oct 2009

Group A:

9-Man Bayern beaten:
Bordeaux come back to beat a 9 man Bayern Munich, despite missing 2 penalties they still managed to beat the German giants. It took Bayern just 6 minutes to take the lead after Michael Ciani poked the ball into his own net giving the Germans the advantage, but the Bordeaux player managed to redeem himself by providing the eqauliser with a sublime backheel which went in off the post just before the 30min mark and it wasnt too long before the French champions went infront when Altintop tried to clear a free kick only for it to hit the foot of Planus and the ball hit the top corner, Bayern tried to look for the equaliser showing plenty of heart and spirit but it was obvious they were missing their two key men in Ribery and Robben, Bordeaux held on to win the game which put them top of the table and in a strong position to qualify.

Juventus barely hang on:

Juventus finally kicked of their campaign by picking up their 1st win against Maccabi Haifa, Juventus won 1-0 but it was a nervous night for the Old Lady. Maccabi Haifa started of brightly and had it not been for Buffon's goalkeeping they could have had the lead in two minutes. Juventus then eventually got themselves into gear and began piling on the pressure but were unable to break the deadlock as they could not break down the defence and the half ended goaless. It wasnt long till Juventus were infront when Diego whipped in a corner and a unmarked Chiellini headed home 3 yards out. Juventus came close to doubling their lead on several occasions but failed to convert their chances and were almost made to pay for it had it not been for to late saves from Buffon.


Group B:

Man Utd retain 100% start

Man Utd left it late but they did manage to beat Russian side CSKA Moscow, and tieing Ajax's record of going 14 games without a defeat in Europe and means they lost only 1 game in their last 29 Champions League matches but it was no easy task for the English Champions. The first half produced very little in terms of attacking might both side create chances but nothing to dangerous the scare came for Man Utd when they failed to clear a corner that almost lead to a goal. The 2nd half began fast and furious as chances were created at either end but no one could score the opener until the 85th minute when Berbatov's downward header was latched on by Valencia who smashed home to give United the lead and to give his 2nd goal in as many games.

Missed Oppurtunities:

Having already known CSKA Moscow lost, both sides had the chance to put in their claim for 2nd spot but neither team found the advantage and ended with Wolfsburg being reduced to 10man against Besiktas. Wolfsburg dominated the game for long periods and must be kicking themselves for not beating Besiktas and going 2nd. The hosts had many chances and almost took the lead after 10mins but Dzeko failed to convert his chance and Besiktas responded with a chance of their own but Kas's volley was well stopped. Wolfsburg continued the pressure but were unable to score and the game ended goaless the result leaves Wolfsburg 2nd and Besiktas with their 1st point.

Group C:

Milan stun Madrid:

Without a doubt this is the tie that the whole of Europe had their eyes on as the two most successful teams Real Madrid(9 time winners) took on AC Milan(6 time winners) it was a night of emotion as Kaka faced his old club and Ronaldinho returned to the ground were he probably played his best game. Real Madrid opened after a Dida blunder gifted Raul the opener after 19mins, Raul goal meant he equalled the record for top scorer in Europe with 66goals, Madrid continued to dictate play but AC Milan against the run of play scored a equaliser with Pirlo hitting a stunning 35 yard shot that beat Casillas and it werent long until Milan were infront when Casillas gifted a goal as he misjudged a long ball allowing Pato to pick up the ball and put it in the net to make it 2-1 after 66minutes. It wasnt long until Madrid got the equliser as subsitute Drenthe collected the ball from a corner and smashed it in to make it 2-2 then Milan scored again only to have their goal was disallowed and their was a bust up between Raul and Nesta resulting in both players getting booked but Milan found the winner when Pato volleyed his 2nd goal of the game giving Milan a famous win over Madrid.

Heinze volleys home:

Marseille picked up their 1st win and points after picking up a victory against FC Zurich. Marseille actually scored after three minutes after Cheyrou headed home only to have his goal disallowed, Cheyrou almost gave the lead when his 35 yard free kick missed everyone but went past the post, Marseille continued to create chances and dominated the game but could not find the back of the net and the half ended goaless. Eventually Marseille got the lead when Luchos cross was met by a sublime volley from Heinze who gave the French side the lead. FC Zurich went straight after a equaliser creating chances inclduing Gajics free kick missed everyone but was blocked on the line Marseille held on and got the victory.

Group D:

Chelsea run rampant:

Chelsea continued their perfect start to their Champions League campaign when they thrashed Athletico Madrid 4-0, Kalou got the opener after missing two golden oppurtunities, Lampard linked up with Ashley Cole who produced the cross for Kalou to open the scoring. Ancelotti's men were anxious to kill of the game so they didnt slip on like they did to Villa on Saturday and it werent long till the got their 2nd when a Lampards corner was met by Kalous head who headed home to give Chelsea a 2-0 cushion but Chelsea werent done yet and Athleticos poor night continued as Lampard hit a low effort from outside of the box to give Chelsea a 3-0 advantage and ended his 10 game goaless streak. Athletico did score but it was a own goal Perea deflected Malouda's free kick into the goal to add more misery to Athletico's night.

Porto Hulk Up:

Porto battled back to win 2-1 against Apoel Nicosia, the results but Porto 2nd in the group and 5points ahead of Apoel Nicosia and Athletico. It was Apoel Nicosia that opened the proceedings as Helio Pinto's cross bounced of Porto player Pereira who scored a own goal, but Hulk put Porto back in the game when Falcoa picked up the ball and played in Hulk who slotted home to give Porto the equaliser and it was the same player who got the winner when Apoel Nicosia player Elias was found guilty of a handball and Hulk stepped up to take the penalty and the winner for Porto after Apoel found it difficult to get back in the game and despite Porto having Mariano Gonzalez sent off they were still unable to find their way back and Porto won 2-1.