UEFA Champions League Thread [1st knockout rd]

Holders: FC Barcelona

Top Scorer: 5 (Drogba, Kaka, Morientes)

So here are the teams that are through:

Group winner

Chelsea- A
Bayern- B
Liverpool- C
Valencia- D
Lyon- E
Man Utd- F
Arsenal- G
Milan- H

2nd place

Barcelona- A
Inter- B
PSV- C
As Roma- D
Real Madrid- E
Celtic- F
Porto- G
Lille- H


Full draw:

Porto v Chelsea

Celtic v Milan

PSV Eindhoven v Arsenal

Lille v Manchester United

Roma v Lyon

Barcelona v Liverpool

Real Madrid v Bayern Munich

Internazionale v Valencia

The games will be played on 20/21 February and 6/7 March.

Last edited by dada on Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:48 pm, edited 4 times in total.

Matchday 6 Roundup (Dec 6)

Milan win sparks Lille celebrations



LOSC Lille Métropole won 2-0 at AC Milan to progress to the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history as runners-up to the Rossoneri in Group H.

Famous victory
Lille's hopes of qualifying had seemingly suffered a fatal blow when they only drew 2-2 with RSC Anderlecht last time out, but the Belgian club did their French rivals a favour tonight by repeating that scoreline at home to AEK Athens FC when an away win would have rendered Lille's famous victory meaningless. Peter Odemwingie and Kader Keita were on target for Claude Puel's side, who showed more enterprise than their illustrious hosts from start to finish.

Odemwingie opener
Puel, the Lille coach, had urged his side not to come away from the match harbouring any regrets and with that in mind the French side started positively. Keita dispossessed Kakha Kaladze after just five minutes and teed up Odemwingie, who forced Zeljko Kalac into an instinctive save with a fierce strike from ten metres. But Kalac, deputising for the injured Dida, was not so sharp in dealing with Lille's next attack two minutes later. Mathieu Bodmer surprised him with a powerful shot from distance which the Australian could only palm one-handed into the path of Odemwingie, who volleyed in from close range.

Lille control
Having wrested the advantage, Lille were content to let Milan, minus the creative skills of substitute Kaká, come at them but, if anything, it was the away side who looked the more likely scorers. On 20 minutes they almost did when Odemwingie broke clear down the left only to see his shot repelled by Kalac, and midway through the half, the giant custodian was almost caught out for a second time when Keita chanced his arm from all of 30 metres. His low shot deflected off Kaladze and narrowly wide of the far post.

Boriello appeal
Milan's clearest chance of a goal before the interval came when Yoann Gourcuff twisted and turned in the area before finding Marco Borriello who collapsed appealing for a penalty. Lille's attempts were more direct, such as a curling free-kick from Yohan Cabaye which Kalac tipped over the bar at full strength soon after. Despite the early second-half introductions of Clarence Seedorf and Kaká the Rossoneri struggled to cope with their well-organised opponents who threatened with every counterattack. Odemwingie was put clean through again by Keita’s exquisite pass in the 50th minute but shot straight at Kalac with the unmarked Bodmer screaming for the square pass.

Inzaghi chance
Odemwingie was almost punished for his miss when Filippo Inzaghi headed Gourcuff’s corner against the bar with an hour gone but the travelling supporters behind Grégory Malicki's goal found their voice as news of Anderlecht's second goal filtered through - a collective voice became a roar when their side also took a two-goal lead on 67 minutes. The excellent Kader raced 40 metres with the ball, exchanged a one-two with Bodmer and delivered a cool finish with his right foot to put the win beyond doubt and a dramatic qualification within touching distance.

Festivities
On what proved to be the best night of European football in Lille's history, Cabaye even found the time to rattle a long shot off the bar before the festivities began.

Late goals not enough for AEK



AEK Athens FC must content themselves with a place in the UEFA Cup after being held to a 2-2 draw at UEFA Champions League Group H bottom club RSC Anderlecht.

Late rally
With fellow hopefuls LOSC Lille Métropole winning at AC Milan, Lorenzo Serra Ferrer’s men needed to record their first ever away victory in the competition to be assured of a coveted place in the last 16, and their dreams started to unravel when Anthony Vanden Borre and Nicolas Frutos netted either side of half-time. Vassilios Lakis and Bruno Cirillo drew the visitors level, however their spirited late rally was not enough.

Deschacht tackle
Serra Ferrer explained yesterday that his only fear was a lack of self-confidence from his players so close to meeting their objective, so he would have been delighted to see them carve out the game’s opening chance, when Dániel Tözsér released in-form forward Júlio César on the edge of the area. Olivier Deschacht put in a crucial challenge before the Brazilian could pull the trigger, but the Greek outfit soon threatened again, this time through Martin Pautasso, who fired too high from the right.

Constant threat
AEK appeared livelier than their hosts, although Anderlecht finally created an opportunity of their own on 22 minutes, Mohamed Tchite sending his volley narrowly over. Bruno Cirillo in particular was doing a sterling job of keeping the Belgian champions at bay, while at the other end Júlio César was proving a constant nuisance, and the No 99 forced Daniel Zítka to make the first save with an ambitious effort from a tight angle.

Vanden Borre strike
Despite a Lucas Biglia drive that sailed wide of the left-hand post soon after, it was against the run of play that Frank Vercauteren's men eventually broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. It was a comedy of errors too, with Frutos causing panic in the AEK ranks as he surged into the box. At least three defenders in yellow had chances to end the danger, but after a series of deflected efforts to clear, Vanden Borre bundled the ball over the line.

Tözsér chances
Les Mauves then almost doubled their lead straight after the break, only for an acrobatic Stefano Sorrentino dive to keep out Bigla's curling free-kick. Tözsér responded by blasting Gustavo Manduca’s chipped cross behind the goal, and the Hungarian came even closer to equalising with a vicious half-volley that Zítka was just about equal to. Serra Ferrer sent on Vassilios Lakis, Andrija Delibašić and Perparim Hetemaj to try and make the difference – notably withdrawing Júlio César in the process – but the match slipped even further from his side's grasp just after the hour mark.

Frutos goal
Sorrentino did brilliantly to deny Tchite as the Congolese striker swivelled and struck from point-blank range on the left, yet the ball fell kindly to Frutos, who capped a busy display by rifling in. The Argentinian nearly contributed a second when he just failed to reach substitute Mbark Boussoufa’s cross, and that let-off started to look costly when Lakis reduced the deficit with a superbly-placed header beyond Zítka. Cirillo's expert 81st-minute volley low into the corner then made a miraculous comeback appear possible, but they had left their charge too late.

Hamburg earn late consolation



Substitute Boubacar Sanogo struck a last-gasp goal as Hamburger SV came from behind twice to earn a 3-2 victory and bow out of the UEFA Champions League with their first points of the campaign - in the process, ending PFC CSKA Moskva's slender hopes of advancing from Group G.

Pivotal change
Trailing 2-1 going into the last seven minutes, Hamburg coach Thomas Doll introduced Sanogo and it proved an inspired decision. Rafael van der Vaart soon equalised and as the match drifted into added time, the Dutchman sent the Ivorian striker clear to finish emphatically past Igor Akinfeev. Needing to win to have any chance of progress, the Russian champions had looked on course for three points after Yuri Zhirkov restored their lead just past the hour - before Sanogo, and Arsenal FC's draw with FC Porto, ruined their night.

Early blow
The visitors were without injured captain Sergei Ignashevich as well as suspended forwards Vágner Love and Elvir Rahimić, so the early sight of Brazilian midfielder Dudu limping off injured was hardly welcomed by coach Valeri Gazzaev. He was replaced by Anton Grigoryev but the setback helped Hamburg take the initiative as Piotr Trochowski twice tested goalkeeper Akinfeev with long-range efforts.

Olić penalty
With Thimothée Atouba, who was later dismissed moments after being substituted for what appeared an obsence gesture, menacing down the left wing, Doll's side continued to put CSKA under pressure although the Cameroonian's impact at the other end was rather less profitable. With Miloš Krasić threatening on the CSKA right, Atouba mistimed his lunge at the expense of a penalty midway through the half, and Ivica Olić made no mistake from the spot to put the away team in the driving seat.

Berisha equaliser
Danijel Ljuboja almost came up with the perfect riposte when his sweetly struck free-kick forced an outstanding save from Akinfeev soon after, although Hamburg's disappointment was to prove fleeting. Atouba was inevitably in the thick of it, glancing on Trochowski's corner to the far post where Albanian youngster Besart Berisha tapped in to mark his UEFA Champions League debut in style.

Hamburg pressure
Van der Vaart almost completed the turnaround before the interval when he combined with Trochowski, but the playmaker's volley was beaten out by Akinfeev's reflex action. Hamburg have not had the best of starts to the season yet began the second half with renewed confidence and went in search of a second goal, with 22-year-old Alexander Laas orchestrating the play from midfield.

Zhirkov strike
The lively Trochowski and Van der Vaart were causing problems further up the pitch, the latter narrowly missing the target with an excellent set-piece as CSKA were placed firmly on the back foot but just as a Hamburg goal seemed likely, the visitors struck on the break. Zhirkov ran unchecked from the halfway line and surged into the penalty area, sidestepping Atouba before calmly slotting between Stefan Wächter's legs. That looked like being enough until Van der Vaart triggered a dramatic comeback to earn Hamburg their first group-stage points, with CSKA taking consolation in a UEFA Cup berth.

Point each ensures pair progress



Arsenal FC and FC Porto made their way into the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League as winners and runners-up respectively in Group G after a goalless but thrilling encounter in Portugal.

Point required
Both sides knew before kick-off that a point would be enough for them to hold off PFC CSKA Moskva and secure progress but the Portuguese champions constantly pressed for the victory that would have taken them through as section leaders, with Ricardo Quaresma twice striking the post early in the second half. The hosts were unable to capitalise on their superiority, however, allowing Arsenal to clinch top spot courtesy of their 2-0 home success in the reverse fixture on Matchday 2.

Quaresma industry
Any cynics who viewed the game as an opportunity for these clubs, each with a UEFA Champions League final appearance in the last three seasons, to relax were confounded by Quaresma. The mercurial winger tormented the Arsenal defence from the outset, making light work of the visitors' five-man midfield and finding space to exhibit his dazzling array of skills. Quaresma started the night on Porto's left wing and in Fucile he found a willing partner, the left-back drifting inside Aleksandr Hleb in the 22nd minute and finding Hélder Postiga with a precise pass though the striker could only shoot straight at Jens Lehmann.

Porto press
With the suspended Thierry Henry's replacement, Emmanuel Adebayor, more static and isolated than the Frenchman tends to be, Arsenal struggled to retain possession. As Wenger emerged from his dugout to demand more impact from his players Quaresma added to the sense of menace, flighting an outrageous lob from 40 metres that even the tall Lehmann had to stretch to hold underneath his crossbar. As Porto hit their rhythm, Quaresma and Lisandro Lopéz swapped flanks and the switch almost paid dividends within moments as only a top-class intervention from Kolo Touré prevented Postiga from heading his team in front, before Paulo Assunção threatened with a superb long-range drive.

Arsenal escapes
Within three minutes of the restart Quaresma came close to finally earning his reward with a goal as Lucho González laid a perfect pass beyond Gaël Clichy for the overlapping Lisandro Lopéz, whose cross fell for Quaresma to crack a right-footed shot off the post with Lehmann beaten. Although Cesc Fabregas replied with a free-kick into the arms of Helton, Porto were in total command, and just before the hour Quaresma tricked his way past Johan Djourou on the edge of the area and once more his attempt beat Lehmann only for the same post to come to Arsenal's rescue.

Opponents satisfied
However, Fabregas worked tirelessly to ensure that Arsenal were not totally overrun and late substitute Robin van Persie added energy to Arsenal's efforts to push the contest towards the Porto penalty box. Ultimately, though, both sides were more than happy with the point, although CSKA's defeat at Hamburger SV meant they would have advanced regardless of the result here.

København finish on a high



FC København rounded off their UEFA Champions League campaign in style, defeating qualifiers Celtic FC to maintain their unbeaten home record in Group F.

Flying start
Atiba Hutchinson and Jesper Gronkjær scored inside the opening half-hour for the Danish champions, who further extended their lead through Marcus Allbäck in the 57th minute. Jirí Jarošík pulled one back in the 75th for Celtic, who dropped from first place to second in the section after Manchester United FC leapfrogged them with a 3-1 home success against SL Benfica, who move into the UEFA Cup.

Gravesen return
Much of the pre-match spotlight had centred on Thomas Gravesen and the former Denmark midfielder was greeted with ironic cheers as he made his first appearance at the Parken since retiring from international football. The 30-year-old was involved straight from the kick-off, slotting in Kenny Miller's pass but the Celtic forward had already carried the ball over the by-line. There was no disputing Hutchinson’s effort in the second minute, though, as the Canadian combined with Allbäck and slotted a left-foot shot past Artur Boruc.

Dismal record
Celtic have not won away in four UEFA Champions League campaigns and København were determined to ensure there was no change to that statistic as Allbäck wriggled free six metres from goal and crashed a shot against the upright after the visiting defence had failed to clear from Tobias Linderoth's free-kick. Miller then headed Lee Naylor’s perfect cross from the right over the bar and miscontrolled in a promising position in quick succession before the hosts showed no such profligacy as Grønkjær, making only his second start of the campaign, doubled the lead when reacting quickest to sweep Brede Hangeland’s knockdown into the net from close range.

Allbäck on target
Gordon Strachan restructured his midfield at half-time with Jarošík switching with Aiden McGeady and Gravesen reverting to his more familiar central role - a reshuffle which almost paid dividends on 54 minutes when the Czech created an opening for Maciej Żurawski. The Poland striker found the target but his shot was smothered by Jesper Christiansen and the goalkeeper was alert to smother Miller's follow-up. København still looked the more likely scorers, however, and just before the hour Allbäck made it 3-0. Michael Gravgaard won the aerial duel from another Linderoth free-kick and the Sweden striker pounced to drill in his third goal of the campaign.

One back
Shunsuke Nakamura was introduced from the bench with 21 minutes remaining and the Japan midfielder forced a fine one-handed stop from Christiansen with a shot from the edge of the area. Celtic finally found the net soon after as Jarošík stuck out a foot to divert Nakamura’s free-kick into the net but it was too little too late for the Glasgow club who are left searching for that elusive first away victory

United heading into last 16



Manchester United FC exorcised the ghost of their early elimination from Europe 12 months ago as they fought back to claim their place in the last 16 with an ultimately convincing 3-1 victory over SL Benfica.

Turnaround
This UEFA Champions League Group F decider was a repeat of last season's Matchday 6 showdown between these sides but it could not have ended more differently as United avenged their 2-1 defeat in Lisbon a year ago tomorrow. Trailing to Nélson's spectacular 23rd-minute strike, there was only going to be one winner once Nemanja Vidić had headed the hosts level on the stroke of half-time, Ryan Giggs and Louis Saha confirming the inevitable in the second period. To ice the cake for United, Celtic FC's loss at FC København ensured them top spot in the section – and a tie against a group runner-up in February, when Benfica will go into the UEFA Cup.

Cautious approach
Needing a point to progress, United reined in their attacking instincts in a cautious start. With Wayne Rooney operating on the left of a five-man midfield and Giggs dropping into the centre alongside Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick, Benfica faced a wall of red shirts whenever they gained possession. The Portuguese team had scored early goals in beating both Celtic and København but here it was United who threatened first, Quim forced into the game's first save from Rio Ferdinand.

Advantage Benfica
The match burst into life with Nélson's opener midway through the first half. Simão - deployed alongside Fabrizio Miccoli in the visitors' attack with Nuno Gomes in a withdrawn role - ran at Patrice Evra down the right but rather than cross, chose to lay the ball back to Nélson and the full-back unleashed an unstoppable shot high to Edwin van der Sar's right.

Near misses
Moments later Quim tipped Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick over the crossbar and suddenly we had a cup tie. From the ensuing corner Vidić flicked on to Saha whose far-post header was blocked by Quim, the ball bouncing on to the arm of Nélson on its way to safety. United came again, Gary Neville crossing low to Saha who stabbed wide of the near post. Benfica had a glimpse of a second goal when Nuno Gomes supplied Miccoli but the Italian failed to make a clean connection, otherwise it was one-way traffic. Half-chances came and went, but just when Benfica looked poised to reach half-time in front, the impressive Vidić rose highest to meet Giggs's free-kick and bullet a header into the net.

United in front
The second half brought more of the same, with United driving at the Benfica back line – and cutting through it with some irresistible wing play, notably from Ronaldo. Although Petit flashed a free-kick over Van der Sar's crossbar, a second United strike seemed inevitable and after Saha had blazed over, it came on 61 minutes via the head of Giggs. For once Ronaldo stopped in his tracks out on the right, looked up and delivered the perfect cross to Giggs who powered in his first UEFA Champions League goal since this corresponding fixture last season. On 75 minutes it was three – and a third header - as substitute Darren Fletcher swung over a corner and Saha buried his fourth goal of the group stage. For the Premiership leaders the job was done. After last year's slip-up, Sir Alex Ferguson's men are back in the knockout stage.

Steaua denied by Diarra strike



Olympique Lyonnais completed the UEFA Champions League group stage with an unbeaten record although they had to come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against a well-organised FC Steaua Bucuresti side.

Early goals
The Romanian champions knew they would finish third in Group E regardless of the outcome here, and warmed up for their spring UEFA Cup campaign with an impressive display against an under-strength Lyon side who had clinched top spot with a draw at Real Madrid CF a fortnight ago. Nicolae Dica opened the scoring early on and was a menace to the home defence throughout, but Steaua ultimately had to settle for a point after Alou Diarra's 12th-minute equaliser.

Dica delight
Stress-free final group matches have become as much a feature of early December in Lyon as the city's traditional 'Fête des Lumières', and as in the past three years the Ligue 1 side rested several players with qualification already assured. Defensive duo Eric Abidal and Cris were among the absentees and Lyon's new-look back line was breached as early as the second minute. Fit-again captain Claudio Caçapa was slow to react to Sorin Paraschiv's right-wing cross, allowing Dica to control on his chest and smartly volley in his fourth goal in this season's UEFA Champions League.

Diarra response
It was not the start the majority of the capacity crowd had been anticipating but home fans were celebrating when Diarra levelled on 12 minutes. Restored to the starting lineup at Jérémy Toulalan's expense, the French international midfielder rose unopposed to head in his first Lyon goal from Kim Källström's corner. The goal brought some relief but the French champions continued to lack their usual assurance and almost went behind again instantly as Vasilica Cristocea shot narrowly wide of Grégory Coupet's far post.

Lyon subdued
The tempo slowed considerably as Lyon tightened up at the back, and though the Romanian side enjoyed plenty of the possession they struggled to create chances. Steaua captain Mirel Radoi was exerting considerable influence having recently returned from four months on the sidelines, but the athletic Diarra invariably stood in the visitors' way whenever they neared Coupet's goal. For their part, Lyon were unusually subdued, and John Carew's sizzling cross-shot on the stroke of half-time, pushed to safety by Cornel Cernea, represented only their second effort on goal.

Steaua opportunity
Sensing an opportunity to claim a major scalp, Steaua began the second period in more positive fashion with Radoi, Dica and Petre Marin all firing over. Lyon were getting stretched and Banel Nicolita almost scored twice in quick succession. Stirred into action, Gérard Houllier's side came back into the game as Källström volleyed over before Hatem Ben Arfa rifled into the sidenetting. Ben Arfa, deputising for the suspended Florent Malouda, then set up Sidney Govou only for Cernea to deny the Frenchman with a sharp save.

Visitors denied
It was Steaua who looked the more likely winners as the game neared its conclusion, and the introductions of Toulalan and Sylvain Wiltord for the final 20 minutes were proof of Houllier's concern. Toulalan's first touch was a timely intervention as he hacked the ball off the line after Coupet had parried Dica's close-range effort, and that was a close as Steaua came to a memorable win.

Inspired Ronaldo rescues Madrid



Ronaldo inspired a sensational comeback by scoring twice in three minutes to rescue a point for Real Madrid CF away at FC Dynamo Kyiv.

Dramatic finale
Spanish giants Madrid looked to be heading for a surprise UEFA Champions League Group E defeat after Maksim Shatskikh scored twice for the home side in the first half, but Brazilian striker Ronaldo converted a corner from David Beckham on 86 minutes before making no mistake with a penalty he had won himself to ensure that honours ended even. The dramatic late events had no bearing on the outcome of the group but were harsh on Dynamo, who had looked poised to end an otherwise forgettable campaign by claiming the prize scalp of Madrid.

Point to prove
Dynamo coach Anatoli Demianenko had urged his side to "fight for victory" in the build up to the match and they carried out his instructions to the letter, bristling with determination and enthusiasm throughout. Meanwhile, already assured of second spot, Fabio Capello opted to leave several of his Madrid luminaries in Spain and others on the bench, but he was still able to field a side boasting nearly 400 appearances in the competition. Yet it was one of the visitors' unheralded players who had the first shot on goal, Rubén de la Red, the 20-year-old midfielder, firing just over with a rising drive from long range on seven minutes.

Opening goal
With Beckham drifting inside from his starting position on the left-hand side of midfield, Dynamo were exploiting the space down the right and it was from a raid down the flank that the home side scored the opener on 13 minutes. A dipping cross from Valentin Belkevich was met by Shatskikh, who stole in behind Álvaro Mejía to steer the ball past Diego López for his tenth UEFA Champions League goal. Beckham, making his 102nd appearance in Europe's premier competition, was in the thick of the early action, displaying his full range of passing and Antonio Cassano might have done better from a raking, defence-splitting pass from the former England captain on 17 minutes.

Crucial second
Madrid were left to rue that miss on 27 minutes when Shatskikh scored his second. Neat interplay between Oleh Gusev and Artem Milevskiy prized open the Madrid defence and Shatskikh beat López at the second attempt. Dynamo had only scored three goals in their previous five group games but now they had two inside the opening half-hour against the Spanish giants.

Hat-trick chance
The Uzbekistani forward almost completed what would have been a sensational hat-trick just after half-time when he was a whisker away from connecting with a teasing cross from Gusev. Beckham, Madrid's stand-out performer, went even closer on 53 minutes, crashing a sweet right-footed effort against the post while Roberto Carlos, the decorated Brazilian, unleashed one of his trademark left-footed strikes at goal, forcing a flying save from Olexandr Shovkovskiy in the process.

Spared blushes
With his side in desperate need of some inspiration, Capello resisted the temptation to introduce either Ruud van Nistelrooy or Robinho in the second half, instead bringing on Javi García and Borja Valero who had one appearance in the competition between them. But the Italian coach's blushes were spared by Ronaldo who fired in a crisp left-foot strike from close range and then kept a cool head to send Shovkovskiy the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Matchday 6 Roundup (Dec 5)

Panucci sends Roma through



Christian Panucci scored the only goal as AS Roma defeated Valencia CF to secure second spot in Group D behind the Spanish side and a place in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League.

Past winner
Panucci knows all about the big occasion having won the competition with Real Madrid CF in 1998, and he proved his worth to Roma at both ends of the pitch on a night when Valencia, with the section sewn up, fielded a team of twentysomethings or less. Panucci, a veteran to his opponents at 33, headed the winner in the 13th minute to ensure a comfortable evening and dash FC Shakhtar Donetsk's hopes of stealing a last-16 berth.

Rare start
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti entrusted 20-year-old Valerio Virga with a starting place in the absence of captain and talisman Francesco Totti, while Cristian Chivu pushed into midfield to replace Simone Perrotta as the Italian international was deemed fit enough only for the bench due a troublesome ankle. The Giallorossi were eager to seize control of the match and their destiny, and striker Mirko Vučinić, preferred to Vincenzo Montella, charged down a long ball in the opening seconds, only to see his effort palmed away by Ludovic Butelle - the Valencia goalkeeper enjoying a rare start with Santiago Cañizares rested.

Panucci goal
Butelle was one of a number of changes by Quique Sánchez Flores, the visiting coach who kept his promise to give his fringe players a UEFA Champions League run-out with the knockout rounds to come. Forward Aarón Ñíguez, 17, had big boots to fill as David Villa's stand-in, yet had a sniff of goal after latching on to a raking Joaquín Sánchez pass, before Panucci defended adroitly to snuff out the danger. The right-back then made a more crucial intervention at the opposite end, racing in unmarked to head the ball into an unguarded net from close range after Philippe Mexes had nodded Taddei's free-kick back across goal.

Warning shot
Valencia were rarely as threatening, Panucci and Mexes having little trouble blocking incursions by Francesco Tavano and Ñíguez before the youngster was taken off injured in the 27th minute. Mancini and Vučinić were a more cohesive attacking unit, although the latter player just failed to connect with the Brazilian's inviting cross in the 38th minute, and just before half-time Joaquín fired a warning shot when drilling a powerful attempt over. The second half followed a similar pattern, with Joaquín looking Valencia's most likely source of inspiration, and Panucci the man most likely to stop him; a 65th-minute challenge by the defender on the winger summing up his dominance.

Knockout football
Save for a Hugo Viana free-kick and a Tavano chance in the latter stages, a Roma victory was never in doubt and they can look forward to knockout football in 2007, when Valencia will be back at full strength.

Shakhtar stand firm in Athens



FC Shakhtar Donetsk clinched a place in the UEFA Cup at the expense of Olympiacos CFP after a determined defensive display in Athens earned them a 1-1 draw and third position in UEFA Champions League Group D.

Honours even
With the Ukrainian side going into the match with faint hopes of advancing to the next phase of the UEFA Champions League, Brazilian midfielder Matuzalem headed them in front in the first half. Nery Alberto Castillo levelled for the Greek team with an emphatic strike just after half-time but Shakhtar clung on for a crucial point in the face of intense Olympiacos pressure. Roma ended any lingering Shakhtar aspirations of a top-two finish by defeating group winners Valencia CF 1-0 in Rome.

Positive start
Olympiacos, knowing only victory would allow them to overtake Shakhtar and claim third spot at their opponents' expense, dominated the early exchanges. Predrag Djordjević tricked his way past three defenders before flashing a low right-footed shot centimetres past Bohdan Shust's right-hand post. Castillo then broke free four minutes later but his deflected drive was comfortably saved by Shust before Miloš Marić rifled a right-footed volley narrowly wide.

Heavy price
The home side paid dearly for their profligacy three minutes before the half-hour when the unmarked Matuzalem, one of four Brazilians in Shakhtar's lineup, headed in Jadson Rodriguez's left-wing corner with Olympiacos keeper Antonios Nikopolidis caught out. Rivaldo, a peripheral figure for much of the half, got a clear sight of goal in the 36th minute but blazed his long-range attempt over the crossbar, summing up the nervous disposition of the hosts. Júlio César, the scoring hero of Olympiacos's 1-1 draw with Roma on Matchday 4, then nodded over a Djordjević cross five minutes before the break as the Greek outfit desperately sought an equaliser.

Timely equaliser
Olympiacos raised the tempo after half-time, continuing to probe the Shakhtar rearguard and they were rewarded within nine minutes of the restart. Marić and Rivaldo were the architects, the latter laying off his team-mate's left-wing centre perfectly for Castillo to fire a low strike under Shust and send the home fans into frenzied celebrations. Jadson worried Olympiacos moments later, though, finding space only to see his shot deflected over for a corner, before Brandão headed Ciprian Marica's cross wide with just Nikopolidis to beat as Shakhtar bounced back.

Brazilian cameo
Rivaldo now exerted more influence, calling Shust into action twice in the space of four minutes after the hour with a trademark free-kick which the keeper pushed away and a long-distance effort that Shust tipped round the post. Rivaldo thumped another set-piece against the wall before home coach Trond Sollied introduced Michalis Konstantinou, back after an ankle injury, to bolster his attack with 15 minutes left. Nikopolidis then came close to letting in Shakhtar substitute Julius Aghahowa by missing a cross but Ieroklis Stoltidis cleared the danger. Olympiacos went for broke by bringing on striker Félix Borja with eight minutes remaining yet could not conjure a winning goal.

Slick Bordeaux finish with flourish



FC Girondins de Bordeaux turned on the style in the first half to record a first away victory in UEFA Champions League Group C against a PSV Eindhoven side whose place in the knockout rounds was already secure.

Festive spirit
Today is Sinterklaas, the Dutch equivalent of Christmas, when Saint Nicholas and his helpers deliver presents to the nation's children. The normally Scrooge-like PSV defence entered into the spirit in the opening 45 minutes, as Julien Faubert, Stéphane Dalmat and Jean-Claude Darcheville all scored for UEFA Cup-bound Bordeaux. An 87th-minute Alex free-kick failed to brighten the occasion for the home crowd, who can at least look forward to greater challenges in the new year.

Attacking start
With qualification assured, PSV coach Ronald Koeman fielded an adventurous 4-3-3 formation in which talented 18-year-old Ismaïl Aissati partnered Jefferson Farfán and Diego Tardelli in attack. The flip side was that the system created space for Bordeaux to exploit, which they almost did to effect after five minutes when Heurelho Gomes dived at full stretch to keep out a Darcheville header. Two minutes later the French visitors went one better with a superbly-worked goal, Darcheville turning sharply in midfield before playing a delicious through-ball for Faubert who outstripped the PSV defence and calmly rolled the ball under Gomes.

Excellent interplay
PSV nearly equalised a minute later, Farfán's low drive fizzing narrowly wide, and the hosts spurned an even better chance to level matters on the quarter-hour when the unmarked Tardelli volleyed over from close range following excellent interplay involving Alex, Farfán and Edison Méndez. With the pressure off both teams, the fans were being treated to an engaging contest. Alex pushed up to support his forwards and Bordeaux always looked to break quickly. There was plenty of bite too, Méndez earning a yellow card after 20 minutes for clattering into Pierre Ducasse.

Delightful chip
Faubert was then unable to double his tally when failing to connect with Darcheville's deep cross, yet PSV were powerless to prevent Dalmat breaking from inside his own half and charging towards goal before sidestepping Alex and clipping the ball over Gomes with the most delightful of chips from 22 metres. Having scored just three times in five previous Group C outings, Les Marine et Blanc matched that total with just 37 minutes gone in Eindhoven as Lilian Laslandes opened up the home rearguard with a clever pass and Darcheville did the rest, rounding Gomes before slotting into an empty net.

Fire power
PSV brought on Patrick Kluivert and Arouna Koné to bolster their attack at the break, yet it was captain Phillip Cocu who registered his side's first attempt of note with a rasping drive that Ulrich Ramé turned behind. Another Cocu effort whistled past the post to spark a period of home pressure which only bore fruit late on, when Alex blasted in a free-kick from just outside the area.

Galatasaray spoil Reds return



Galatasaray SK came from behind to beat Liverpool FC and record their first win at the final attempt in UEFA Champions League Group C, as the visitors' return to the scene of their 2005 triumph ended in disappointment.

Weakened teams
Liverpool, already assured of first place in the group and fielding a weakened team with three players making their first starts in the competition, had led through Robbie Fowler. But Galatasaray - without the suspended Arda Turan and the injured Rigobert Song and Hakan Sükür - hit back quickly through Necati Ateş and Okan Buruk before Saša Ilić's 79th-minute strike rendered Fowler's second in added time academic.

Fowler first
Ümit Karan's wayward header from close range was the only notable incident of the opening quarter before, just as in Liverpool's victory against AC Milan on their last visit to the stadium, there came three goals in six minutes. The English side broke the deadlock when Craig Bellamy crossed from the right and Fowler was perfectly positioned to cushion the ball beyond Faryd Mondragón with his right thigh for his first UEFA Champions League goal.

Double salvo
Galatasaray restored parity within two minutes as a poor Xabi Alonso pass presented possession to Necati and the pony-tailed forward beat Jerzy Dudek with a cool right-footed finish from inside the area for his first goal in the tournament. The advantage was doubled four minutes later when a cleared corner fell perfectly for Okan to rifle a sublime swerving volley past Dudek from nearly 40 metres.

Keepers shine
The action continued to switch from end to end with Mondragón saving well to deny Jamie Carragher after 38 minutes, while 2005 hero Dudek frustrated Sabrı Sarıoğlu with his left foot minutes later. Goalscorer Necati hobbled off before half-time with Ilić coming on, and another change saw Tolga Seyhan replace Emre Aşık at the interval. But it was the familiar figure of Ümit who came close to extending Galatasary's lead in the 55th minute when he rose to meet Ergün Penbe's cross and headed against the foot of the post.

Close calls
Liverpool responded with Fowler getting on the end of Alonso's clever free-kick but Mondragón saved at point-blank range. Generally, though, the hosts were having the better of things and the lively Sabrı drove just wide from distance on 62 minutes. Dudek was then out quickly to deny Ilić and seconds later Bellamy got in behind the home defence but, at full stretch, he could not direct his effort away from Mondragón.

Clinching goal
Ilić finished off a flowing Galatasaray move after 79 minutes to finally seal the victory, although Liverpool hinted at a recovery when Jermaine Pennant's impressive run and cross teed up Fowler to nod in from close range. This time, however, there would be no way back to 3-3 in Istanbul.

Bayern pegged back by Vieira



Patrick Vieira scored a last-gasp equaliser to earn FC Internazionale Milano a 1-1 draw but FC Bayern München coach Felix Magath got his wish of winning Group B on a night when Oliver Kahn celebrated his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance.

Late response
The pre-match rendition of "Olli Kahn" was belted out a few octaves higher than usual by the majority of the 69,000 inside the Fußball Arena München, yet the veteran goalkeeper was largely anonymous until the last minute when he did well to keep out Fabio Grosso's effort. Vieira was on hand to fire in the rebound, however, to give a weakened Inter side an unexpected point. Bayern had hitherto looked good money for their one-goal lead, secured just after the hour when Roy Makaay collected Hasan Salihamidžić's brilliant long pass and dispatched it past Francesco Toldo.

Gonzalez threat
Though shorn of the injured Lukas Podolski, Bayern started brightly and, but for a well-timed intervention from Maicon, Claudio Pizarro could have gained them an early advantage. The Inter right-back was one of only four survivors from the team that lost the reverse fixture 2-0 in September, as coach Roberto Mancini opted to rest players. It meant a chance for the likes of Mariano Gonzalez, who formed a makeshift strike partnership with Zlatan Ibrahimović, but if the Argentinian winger was unused to the role, he quickly warmed to it.

Makaay chance
The 25-year-old enjoyed a lively opening, coming close to breaking the deadlock on eight minutes when Santiago Solari's dangerous low cross just eluded his outstretched foot. Yet it was the home side who carried the greater threat, and they created the first real opportunity soon after. The lively Bastian Schweinsteiger and Pizarro linked up well on the left flank before laying the ball off to Makaay, whose scuffed effort was held by Toldo.

Missed opportunities
Kahn was virtually redundant at the other end as Bayern began to dominate. For all their possession and intent though, they showed little of the "killer instinct" Magath had demanded in the build-up, as Willy Sagnol's free-kick was allowed to bounce twice inside the area before it was hacked clear by a grateful Inter defence. Makaay was equally culpable when he stabbed Salihamidžić's cross wide. On the bench, Magath was starting to wear the look of a man who feared his team would pay for their profligacy.

Inter threat
They nearly did so on the cusp of half-time when Gonzalez rattled the crossbar from long range and Walter Samuel forced Kahn to tip over soon after the restart, although the linesman's flag was up anyway. Hernán Crespo had replaced Ibrahimović in between times, but Bayern quickly regained their composure and Mark van Bommel went close to his first UEFA Champions League goal for the club when his rasping effort bobbled just wide of Toldo's right-hand post. That was the prelude to Makaay's breakthrough and it was all Bayern from then on, save for Vieira's late intervention. The Bundesliga outfit nevertheless finish top of Group B, with Inter second.

Spartak snatch UEFA Cup prize



FC Spartak Moskva booked their place in the UEFA Cup as a daring display of old-fashioned wing play and clinical counterattacking secured a 3-1 success at Sporting Clube de Portugal that allowed the Russian side to overhaul their hosts and claim third position in Group B.

Spartak surge
Spartak went into the game knowing only a win would enable them to pip Sporting on head-to-head record and prolong their European campaign into the new year. Early goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko and Maxym Kalynychenko, both assisted by Vladimir Bystrov, laid the foundations for victory and, although Carlos Bueno halved the deficit before half-time, Sporting were forced to commit men forward in an increasingly desperate search for an equaliser which Spartak capitalised on after 89 minutes, Bystrov setting up substitute Denis Boyarintsev to seal a memorable night. Spartak had not won in their previous 22 matches in the UEFA Champions League, a competition record, stretching back to their 4-1 defeat of Arsenal FC on 22 November 2000.

Bystrov brilliance
Both teams played buccaneering football from the outset and, even though Sporting knew a point would suffice, Paulo Bento's players besieged the Spartak goal. Their cavalier approach backfired twice in the opening 16 minutes, however, as the Russian visitors showed the counterattacking flair their coach had predicted would be their best weapon. Bento surprisingly opted to field Ronny at left-back, but unfortunately for the 20-year-old Brazilian, his UEFA Champions League debut proved a baptism of fire as Bystrov produced a blistering first half-hour.

Clinical Spartak
The Spartak winger's fine work brought the first goal as early as the seventh minute when his terrific run and cross gave the unmarked Martin Jiránek a shooting chance. Ricardo's fingertips pushed the ball against the woodwork but the rebound fell kindly for Pavlyuchenko to register in spectacular fashion with a perfectly-executed overhead kick. The away team were quick to press home their advantage, exploiting Ronny's attacking instincts by constantly probing into the space created, and the tactic paid off in the 16th minute, Bystrov dribbling through and crossing for Kalynychenko to nod in.

Sporting chance
The home side, although shocked, refused to buckle and gradually forced their way back into the match. A Yannick Djaló header was an indication of Sporting's spirit but it was a change of tempo that gave the hosts hope. Ronny's surging runs finally earned reward rather than punishment a minute past the half-hour, when his left-wing cross picked out Bueno for a darting close-range header. The goal injected confidence into the Portuguese outfit, who came close to an equaliser early in the second half through João Moutinho's curling free-kick.

Clinching third
However, a powerful Bystrov header reminded Sporting of Spartak's continuing threat, and the same player came close on two more occasions just past the hour. As Sporting desperately pushed for a second goal, Liedson's firm header cannoned back off the corner of crossbar and post. At the other end, Ricardo had produced one top-quality save to prevent substitute Quincy Owusu-Abeyie making the game safe, before Bystrov sliced through the Sporting defence a minute from time and, after the keeper could only parry his strike, Boyarintsev rubbed salt into Sporting wounds.

Barcelona break Bremen hearts



FC Barcelona's dreams of becoming the first UEFA Champions League holders to retain the trophy are still alive after they ended Werder Bremen's hopes at Camp Nou.

Magic moment
A moment of magic from Ronaldinho put the Spanish league leaders on the way against their German counterparts and a quickfire second from Eidur Gudjohnsen ensured the victory. Although they eased off after a powerful first-half display, Barcelona had done enough to take second spot in Group A behind section winners Chelsea FC. Bremen, who kept going until the end, will have to content themselves with entering the UEFA Cup.

Attacking intent
Barcelona were determined from the start. Ludovic Giuly almost supplied the opener after three minutes, but his low cross just evaded Gudjohnsen before Deco warmed Tim Wiese's gloves from distance. With the Bundesliga side playing an attacking formation, Giuly revelled in the space and he went close in the ninth minute when connecting with Tim Borowski's clearing header yet Wiese did well to turn the ball away.

Ronaldinho brilliance
The Blaugrana pressure paid off when Ronaldinho opened the scoring with an inspired free-kick on 13 minutes. Expecting a flighted effort from the edge of the area, the visitors' wall jumped in anticipation only for the Brazilian to slide the ball underneath and into the bottom corner of the net. Barça doubled their advantage five minutes later as Ronaldinho's cross-field pass picked out the run of Giuly and the winger crossed for Gudjohnsen to convert from close range.

Jensen denied
The duo combined again soon after when Giuly was picked out by Gudjohnsen, but his shot flew wide. That was followed by Daniel Jensen powering a drive that evaded Víctor Valdés but went off target. Gudjohnsen was hungry for a second and in the 35th minute, following a strong 60-metre surge from Deco, he weaved his way past four Bremen defenders before slipping the ball against the post. From the rebound, Giuly fired wide with the goal gaping.

Klose cross
With half-time approaching, Miroslav Klose narrowly missed out on an inviting cross which flew right across the penalty area, before the visitors saw Naldo cannon a free-kick centimetres to the wrong side of the post. As was to be expected, Bremen pushed forward in the second period but their early efforts could only produce an ambitious overhead kick from Diego which drifted wide.

Wonderful pass
Nine minutes after restart, though, they found an opening in the Barça defence as Klose battled his way into the box only to lift his shot to the left of the goal. The hosts could have put the result beyond doubt moments later when Ronaldinho made a wonderful reverse pass to send Gudjohnsen clear, but the forward paused allowing Naldo to track back and clear.

Chances spurned
Bremen continued to probe, yet were unable to profit. In the 58th minute Hugo Almeida's outstretched leg met Diego's drive, with Valdés saving the deflection. The Portuguese striker was then caught on his heels when a lofted effort from Jensen deceived Valdés and struck the junction of crossbar and post. Visiting coach Thomas Schaaf looked to increase his team's attacking options by introducing Aaron Hunt in place of Pierre Wome, but Barça held firm to finish the group stage one point better off than Bremen, enough for a last-16 place.

Chelsea see off Levski in style



Andriy Shevchenko and substitute Shaun Wright-Phillips scored their first UEFA Champions League goals for Chelsea FC as their team finished top of Group A following a comfortable victory over a PFC Levski Sofia side destined to prop up a difficult pool.

Glory trail
The goalscorers struck either side of half-time as Chelsea recorded a total of 13 points from a possible 18, which will fill them with confidence as they attempt to bring Europe's greatest club prize to London for the first time. The margin of defeat should have been more but Levski won new friends with the way they went about their night's work. Despite losing all six matches, the Bulgarian title-holders should be stronger for their first experience of the competition's lofty standards.

Early warning
Indeed, the visitors were true to their word by taking the game to Chelsea wherever possible and facing their illustrious opponents toe-to-toe. Yet every time they made a mistake, punishment loomed. Stanimir Stoilov's men were nearly undone before most of them had enjoyed a first touch of the ball. Igor Tomašić was caught in possession, enabling Shevchenko to send Arjen Robben away down the left. He rounded goalkeeper Bozhidar Mitrev before cutting the ball back into the path of the Ukrainian international whose powerful drive was palmed away by the recovering Mitrev. The 19-year-old keeper will have been delighted by his contribution on his full UEFA Champions League debut.

Prompted into action
Levski responded with a couple of long-range efforts which failed to trouble Hilário, selected in place of Carlo Cudicini in Chelsea's goal. If the hosts were disturbed by that, it produced the desired effect as they proceeded to pin Levski in their own half. Frank Lampard, captain in the absence of the suspended John Terry, shot first time and with venom and Elin Topuzakov needed treatment after getting in the way.

Shevchenko opener
Robben demanded a stretching save as he attempted to curl a strike into the far corner and two minutes later Chelsea had the lead. Robben and Lampard combined and when the ball was directed across the forward line, Shevchenko skilfully steered it past Mitrev's left hand with the outside of his boot. At the other end, Cédric Bardon got underneath the ball as he attempted to volley home when well placed but it was an isolated raid. Shevchenko missed with another diagonal drive while Ricardo Carvalho had a shot cleared off the line as Chelsea finished the first half in total command.

Knockout blow
Always neat and tidy, the visitors sought to punish any Chelsea lethargy at the start of the second period and were only stopped short by a couple of close offside decisions. When Chelsea resumed on the offensive, Michael Ballack put a difficult volley over following Robben's corner. Wayne Bridge was doing his best to impress on his return to the side in Ashley Cole's place. One measured cross was almost put on a plate for Didier Drogba but Mitrev was there first, though it came at the cost of a blow to the head. The whole Levski team were left reeling, however, on 83 minutes when Carvalho followed his surge down the right with a pass inside to Wright-Phillips, who shot from outside the box and beyond Mitrev's outstretched right hand.

Thanks. You are a great man
I'm cheering for Arsenal

Haha, funny enough I wished they would have got knocked out. I just love hearing Thierry and Arsene make excuses when they fail.

^^Meh, you just wait and see, atleast Arsenal has the best striker playing for them . Not to mention Theo Walcott, who will develop into an elite striker (atleast in FIFA 07 he turns into one). And who can hate on Kolo Toure?

Not a bad draw. Toughest match will be Barcelona vs Liverpool and I'll surely try to catch that one. Man Utd drawn against Lille is very winnable for them so thats not bad. Real Madrid will also have their hands full with Bayern and a healthy Podolski.

Should be fun.

MANCHESTER UNITED ALL THE WAY!