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Champions League
Topic Started: Aug 1 2008, 07:30 AM (4,244 Views)
Merengue
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It is wonderful to have the Champions League back and to have an excuse to watch football during the week! Today's games of Marseille-Liverpool and PSV-Atletico Madrid are the two which interest me in that very even looking group. Atletico are the one team there without much recent CL experience, I wonder if that will play a part in today's matches?
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Winslow
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And here we go. Tuesday's scores...
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Group A: Chelsea 4, Bordeaux 0; Roma 1, Cluj 2.
Group B: Panathinaikos 0, Inter Milan 2; Werder Bremen 0, Anorthosis 0.
Group C: Barcelona 3, Sporting Lisbon 1; Basel 1, Shakhtar Donetsk 2.
Group D: Marseille 1, Liverpool 2; PSV Eindhoven 0, Atletico Madrid 3.

Some opening-day shockers here, on a very good day for road teams. The most shocking result comes from Stadio Olimpico of course, but how about the Cypriots shutting out Bremen?

Like many of you, I watched Chelsea stuff Bordeaux without breaking a sweat. The halftime score was 2-0, both on headers (Lampard got behind the defense and easily nodded in a Bosingwa cross, then Joe Cole got in among the trees on a corner kick and put in a nifty back-header). It could've easily been 4-0 at the break, as Lampard and Terry missed sitters. The Blues pulled back a little, but got late goals from Malouda (a sly backheel by Lampard put him through) and Anelka (who tapped in a rebound off the bar).
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Simon
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Excellent first day in the CL, with the main stories being the refreshing feats of the underdogs. Anorthosis drawing away in Germany is an excellent result but even that is trumped by little CFR Cluj winning in Rome! The European Cup final is at the Stadio Olimpico this season but Roma's bid to be present at their own party could hardly have got off to a worse start. Cluj seemed decent value for their win as well, they had to come from behind and even while they were winning only the crossbar denied them a third. A lot of people have predicted that Roma won't be the force of recent years, maybe they're right. Cluj's president stated that their ambition was to surpass Steaua's points total from last season. Well, Steaua only got one point in 07/08, looks like it's time for Cluj to adopt a more ambitious ambition!

There are three goals worth looking out for elsewhere IMO. The third goal by Chelsea was something special. Mikel dribbled skilfully past a few of the French players before, as Winslow described, Lampard cleverly backheeled the ball for Malouda to drill it across the keeper and into the corner. Chelsea are the top seeds in the CL this year and you can see why. Bordeaux are the second best team in a strong league like France and yet Chelsea just effortlessly blew them away. It was like a training game at times and really Chelsea could have scored twice as many without it flattering them. Of course I'm really looking forward to United's visit to fortress Stamford Bridge on Sunday! :unsure: Another goal well worth seeing was scored by Fernandinho for Shakhtar in their win at Basle. It was a free kick and he had a shot from impossibly far out, he smashed it and went straight as an arrow into the net from miles out.

The third goal that really impressed me was in the game I watched, Marseille-Liverpool. Liverpool went a goal down and a few minutes later the ball was rolled into Steven Gerrard about 30 yards out. The remarkable thing is that Gerrard wasn't even facing the right way but he just wrapped his right foot around the ball and whipped it right into the far top corner. It was an utterly stupendous strike and much as I dislike Gerrard, Gerets said afterwards that he's the only player in the world who could have scored like that and I think that's about right. Shortly afterwards Gerrard scored the winner from a twice-taken penalty. It's no surprise at all to see Liverpool win in Marseille, after all they won 4-0 there last season, but after Babel missed a couple of great chances to make the game safe Liverpool uncharacteristically gave a couple of chances up right at the end. But Marseille, although lively, lacked a bit of composure and cutting edge up front. I personally don't see Group D being too even, I think Liverpool will win it and Atletico Madrid should join them in the last 16. Marseille might challenge for 2nd but I said after the draw that PSV are out of their depth and I'll stick with that prediction after they got stuffed at home! They've been terrible for a couple of years in Europe and looking at their squad I think they're lightweight.
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Manzanares
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I was very happy with Atletico's win at PSV, they took the play to the Dutch club from the start and Aguero and Forlan were causing all sorts of problems. Unfortunately Forlan left with a leg injury but Sinama Pongolle came on and set up Aguero's 2nd goal of the game. Good collective play from Atletico and their speed, passing and movement were too much for PSV. I was surprised at the ease of the victory on the road and Simon may be right, that PSV are out of their depth in this group. Marseille are another team who are up and down and Liverpool do seem to have their number, nice goal as already discussed by Gerrard and with today's results Liverpool and Atletico are looking to end early what so many (except Simon) thought would be a closely fought group.

Anorthosis and Cluj are already showing that their presence in the group stage was not a fluke. Great results for them both.
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valenciano
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Atletico did play very well today and as Manzanares notes they were quick, skillful and efficient. Aguero is such a good player and his ability to change directions is so hard for defenders to keep up. With Ujfalusi and Heitinga back in defense, last season's weak point has been greatly improved. Atletico has the weapons to be a team which will not only win many games in the Champoions but entertain as well.

I watched Barcelona's win over Sporting Lisbon, Barca just had too much talent for them and even without playing their best, they look like a team still trying to come together, they were too much for the portuguese. But I got the sense watching them that this still aren't sure how to play together, except for Iniesta and xavi who combined on the third goal and seem to have a telepathic understanding!
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historyman
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As already highlighted some great results for the underdogs, and a reminder to the big clubs that they can't expect to have the party to themselves every year.

I watched the Marseille - Liverpool game and one impression that the game left with me was that the French side had any number of chances to equalise and even win the game towards the end. It seemed that Liverpool switched off when they should have been out of sight.

After the game, the pundits on Irish TV - including former Liverpool player and manager Graeme Souness - were scathing about Benitez's choice of players in the transfer market. With the exception of Torres, too many workhorses and not enough genuine quality was the gist of what they were saying. But then they usually say that every year. :rolleyes:

One other thing: I'd forgotten that Eric Gerets was the manager of Marseille. I remember him as a right back in the Belgian teams of the '80s World Cups, and back then he had long, black hair and a bushy beard. I hadn't seen a current photo of him, so when this grey-haired, clean shaven man appeared on the screen and the commentator referred to him by name, I was shocked! :o
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Merengue
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Well I am one of those who thought the Liverpool, Atletico Madrid group would be very evenly matched but those two away wins yesterday have really put Liverpool and Atletico in control. Unless you are a fan of Werder Bremen or Roma you have to be smiling at what Anorthosis Famagusta and Cluj did yesterday. I'll just be hoping BATE Borisov doesn't repeat their success tonight!

historyman, if you want to see another coach whose appearance has changed drastically since his playing days take a look at Catania's coach Walter Zenga! The one time long haired goalie has a completely shaven head!
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Winslow
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And Wednesday's scores...
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Group E: Celtic 0, Aalborg 0; Man United 0, Villarreal 0.
Group F: Lyon 2, Fiorentina 2; Steaua Bucharest 0, Bayern Munich 1.
Group G: Dynamo Kyiv 1, Arsenal 1; Porto 3, Fenerbahce 1.
Group H: Juventus 1, Zenit 0; Real Madrid 2, BATE Borisov 0.

Obviously a more even set of matches than yesterday. Celtic missed a first-half penalty and couldn't convert against ten men in the final minutes. Man U had some good first-half chances at home, as Villarreal's defense bent several times but did not break; Park also had a penalty shout after he went down (a little too easy IMO) in the box. The Spaniards came out better after halftime, and at the hour mark put together the best move of the night; the final cross was a tiny bit behind Guille Franco, who backheeled a shot off the post. Later, United youngster Evans hit the post as well. Man U looked a little tentative on the attack, and didn't improve much after C. Ronaldo was put in at the hour mark.

Fiorentina led by two at halftime (a Gilardino brace, both assisted by shaky goalkeeping), but Lyon came back as Benzema set up a Piquionne goal (as a Viola player lay injured) and then Benzema scored himself. Van Buyten scored the only goal in Bucharest. The Gunners fell behind early and needed a very late Gallas goal to get one point; Porto scored twice in the first 15 minutes (Lisandro Lopez and Lucho Gonzalez, both well-taken volleys) and held on after Daniel Guiza scored for Fenerbahce. Zenit held off Juventus for 75 minutes before a long Del Piero free kick knuckled past the keeper, who may have been screened; Sergio Ramos and van Nistelrooy scored to help Real master BATE. (Sorry!) :rolleyes:
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Simon
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Winslow,Sep 17 2008
01:02 PM
Sergio Ramos and van Nistelrooy scored to help Real master BATE.  (Sorry!) :rolleyes:

That one never occurred to me, I think I need to watch more Carry On films to get back in the zone!

The United game was so frustrating, Villarreal seemed there for the taking and we gave them a right going over in the first half. They seemed especially vulnerable to crosses, the lad Diego Lopez in their goal 'couldn't catch a cold' as we say here! All the frustration of the night could have been avoided if Rio Ferdinand had buried a sitter after 5 mins but I don't suppose he was expecting the ball to come to him. I thought it should have been a pen for Park, and in fact he had two good shouts, but it's true we couldn't match the danger and tempo of our first half in the second period. Ronaldo made a good cameo, he volleyed just wide, helped Rooney set Tevez up for a shot cleared off the line, went very close with a header and set Evans up for the header against the post - a chance he should really have buried. I got the impression that if we'd scored one we'd have scored three, but it was one of those nights and it could have been worse because as Winslow says Villarreal hit the post on one of their few attacks. With Chelsea away at the week-end we rested players like Vidic, Brown, Scholes, Anderson, Giggs, and Berbatov from the starting line-up (though Giggs and Anderson came on towards the end) while Carrick was injured so it was a good run out for some of the squad and I think Ronaldo showed enough to be able to start at Stamford Bridge.

I read today that Arsenal had previously drawn 1 and lost 5 of their matches in the ex-Soviet Union, so I suppose they'll be happy with a draw, especially given the late manner of their equaliser. Celtic were the third British side to get a point tonight and I think they'll be the least happy. Given their away record, they can ill afford to be dropping home points against the likes of Aalborg, whose boss Bruce Rioch apparently once tried to sign Gordon Strachan for Middlesbrough! Strachan was his Celtic counterpart tonight. I don't suppose Real Madrid are exactly ecstatic with a 2-0 against a BATE side who were a man down for a third of the game, but it's 3 pts in the bag and job done, especially in light of the upsets last night! It's also interesting that Lyon managed to come from 2 down to claim a draw at home to Fiorentina. Not a great result but a fightback that shows good character, which should be useful for their away matches in Florence and Munich.
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raconteur
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I had forgotten about Manchester United's upcoming game versus Chelsea which would explain why they rested a few starters but Villarreal, after some initial shaky moments did defend pretty well. As Winslow wrote, Lyon's opening goal came when a Fiorentina defender was lying injured inside the penalty area, not much fair play there as the Italy-France rivaly is continuing now at the club level. Wonderful free kick goal by Del Piero to beat Zenit. It might be true that Malafeev was shielded but that was the type of goal worthy of winning a close game like the Juve-Zenit battle. Puts the pressure on Zenit to now get a result next round at home against Real Madrid.

In general I think we have to say the so called little guys did pretty well this week, BATE only lost by 2 at Real Madrid, Anorthosis and Aalborg drew away at Werder Bremen and Celtic and in the big result, Cluj beat Roma in Rome!
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gaviota
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Madrid didn't play that well against BATE but a win is a win especially so early in the season. It is the next few weeks leading up to the next Champions League game at Zenit where Madrid's schedule will start to become busy and the team will need to play better. So 3 points today in a game where the opponent never really threatened is good enough for me.

Villarreal were very dsiciplined in defending against Manchester United, they may have been fortunate one of the two plays involving Park wasn't whistled for a penalty but after surviving the opening nervousness they settled down well. Apparently as others have already noted, Villarreal has a record of holding Manchester United to draws. Those of us who see them play often know they have the ability to close down their opponents. Manchester United was not the only team missing regulars, I'd say Villarreal's 3 best players-Nihat, Rossi and Marcos Senna, also did not play. I think those two teams remain the favorites in this group.
CHAMP13NS
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calimocho
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Atletico Madrid were impressive in defeating PSV in Holland. Sergio Aguero's finishing, dribbling and ability to turn quickly make him such a dangerous player. And he appears like he fits in very well with Atletico's team. I agree with those who say Atletico have upgraded their defense and with that they remain a interetsing team.

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid did just a bit more than the minimum to win against weaker opponents. Some tiems in tournaments like this that is an important, those win count just a smuch as Chelsea's 4-0 victory over Bordeaux.

Villarreal did defend well and with Cristiano Ronaldo just coming back and seeing limited minutes and Berbatov not playing, Manchester United's offense wasn't at full force. Against a team who defend like Villarreal, that means it will always be difficult to score. A draw does not surprise me then.
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enganche
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I am pleased to see the smaller clubs did pretty well in this opening round, I don't expect miracles from them but they've shown they can be competitive and that can only be a good thing.

Like others I too was really happy with Aguero's play with Atletico Madrid. Forlan will be out for at least 3 weeks which means he'll miss round 2 of the Champions League plus Uruguay's next two World Cup qualifiers. But with Sinama Pongolle and Luis Garcia there should be adequate fill ins. Atletico may lack Champions League experience but their squad is full of players who have played in important matches with their national teams so I don't see their alck of Champions League experience being a hinderance.
Prefiero morir de pie que vivir arrodillado
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Martin
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Juan Culio was the hero for Cluj in their triumph against Roma. Wasn't Coolio the name of a singer a few years back?

While teams like Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich will likely be the ones fighting it out at the end of this tournament I am very happy to see teams like Cluj, Anorthosis and Aalborg get off to such positive starts. It does bring some freshness to the competition.
Club Sportivo Desamparados
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raconteur
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Martin,Sep 18 2008
07:38 AM
Juan Culio was the hero for Cluj in their triumph against Roma.  Wasn't Coolio the name of a singer a few years back?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coolio

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While teams like Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich will likely be the ones fighting it out at the end of this tournament I am very happy to see teams like Cluj, Anorthosis and Aalborg get off to such positive starts.  It does bring some freshness to the competition.


I don't think any of us dispute this, well maybe not Roma fans but we don't seem to have many of those here! What I will be watching is how these teams will do in round 2 in a few weeks time. They did well on the road, now they'll get the chance to play at home. Of course now they likely won't be able to sneak up on their opponents anymore.
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