Intense action on the first match day of the Champions League: Internazionale could not beat Twente while FC Barcelona and Valencia claimed the top of their group with a sounding victory.
Groups A, B, C and D's first match day brought a number of surprises to the world audience, for Internazionale's reputation was not enough to frighten Twente, who secured a fundamental point at their own home. Lio Messi was the star of the week, scorer of two goals that boosted Barcelona's confidence, seriously damaged by Hercules two weeks ago. Manchester United and Rangers played the only goalless draw, while Benfica, Copenhagen and Lyon obtained the full scoring.
A sounding victory that confirms the brilliant moment of Valencia was celebrated over the Turkish champion this Thursday. Unai Emery's boys are leading the group and have settled a precedent to terrorize their next rivals with. Aritz Aduriz, Tino Costa, Pablo and Roberto Soldado scored on a brilliant football Valencian evening at in Turkey. It is important to notice the three goals came from reinforcements, showing how deeply Unai Emery understands the functioning of the Che machine. At the end of the first quart of an hour, Argentina's midfielder Tino Costa scored a brilliant goal from over 30 yards, Aduriz followed with a header at the end of the first half.
For the second half Valencia cooled down and enjoyed the advantages of being two goals ahead. The team grow in confidence, Pablo and later on Roberto Soldado sealed a victory that will seriously boost one of Spain's most compromised teams in the Champions League. As Atletico Madrid, Valencia's players are slowly keeping up with the two giants and saying it out loud throughout all Europe.
A boring 0-0 game took place at the Old Trafford, when Rangers' defensive strategy did enough to stop Alex Ferguson's boys from scoring but nothing more, lacking offensive ideas to bag the three points. Antonio Valencia was substituted at the 62nd minute having suffered a strong blow in his right ankle that stop the game from almost 10 minutes. Ryan Giggs took over Valencia's place but he couldn't do much to feed Wayne Rooney and Chicharrito Hernandez, who could only worry once with a header that was inches away from finding the net. Valencia grows as the favorite in the group while Red Devils' followers worry. Rangers' captain David Weir was the only dangerous player within The Sons of William, who couldn't really figure how to break through Manchester's midfield.
Alex Ferguson declared "We have to admit their formation made it difficult the attack. They did a great job, we had the ball but couldn't create major opportunities to score" and he has a reason to say so: The Scotch turtled up to wait for Manchester for the last thirty minutes, and when Olegario Benquerença finished the game everyone was relieved.
Claudio Pizarro's Werder Bremen could not offer the crowds the three points when Tottenham visited the Weserstadion. Petri Pasenen and Peter Crouch gave the visiting squad the upper hand for the first half of the match, but the Teutonics managed to reduce the difference before the first half was over thanks to Hugo Almeida and could even the score early in the second half (Marko Marin). The four teams in group A scored two goals and received the same amount, and the fight for the two places for the next phase will be restless. Clemens Fritz's defensive mistakes could have costed the Deustch the game, for Rafael Van der Vaart's Tottenham was superior in aerial play and from the air came Crouch's goal, when Fritz once again gave room for Van der Vaart to assist the English Giant.
Werder Bremen surely missed Mesut Ozil's creativity from the wings, but during the second half they showed they need to be taken seriously in this European fight. Peter Crouch had plenty of opportunities during the second half to return home victorious, but Werder's goalkeeper made it impossible.
Lyon's affairs with Schalke 04 had a happy ending for the French side. Michael Bastos scored the winning goal on the 21th minute with a deep projection from the left wing that beat Royal Blues' goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer. This is the fourth consecutive defeat of Schalke this season, and Felix Magath's continuity will surely be jeopardized unless he makes some radical modifications in his scheme soon. Something strange is going on Magath's boys, for the powerful offensive trident (Jefferson Farfan, Raul and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar) is isolated from the rest of the team. Benedikt Höwedes made the mistake that allowed Bastos to beat Neuer, and minutes later Schalke's defender was sent off, compromising the possibilities of his squad.
Lisandro Lopez had plenty of opportunities to widen the difference, while Yoann Gourcuff kept Neuer constantly busy, but the Teutonic legend respond accordingly. A victory by the minimum difference that boosted the spirit of the Gallics before visiting Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC by the end of the month. The German side, on the other hand, will be receiving home the Portuguese powerhouse SL Benfica.
Copenhague and Rubin Kazan played a game of many inaccuracies, but Ousmane N’Doye secured a victory with a header for the local team on minute 87. Rubin Kazan's coach went for a highly defensive formation to asphyxiate Copenhagen's midfielders, and it worked for the first 45th minutes in which the Dutch could hardly even compromise the Russian goalkeeper. Christian Noboa could have scored the opening goal but Johan Wiland's expertise between the posts denied it, and thus the first half ended knowing the one who scored the first goal will surely bag the full scoring.
Rubin Kazan started the second half with the same furious energy but just couldn't find the way to beat Copenhague's defense. The local team started growing thanks to a strong presence from the wings, with Zdeněk Pospěch and Oscar Wendt joining the offense from the back line, multiplying the offensive perspectives. When Obafema Martins was substituted Rubin Kazan's forces diminished greatly, and five minutes from the end of the match, N'Doye became hero once again. An important victory for the local team that didn't play well but whose good footbalistic habits denied the visitors from returning home with a single point.
Lead by Lio Messi, the Blaugranas humiliated the Greek powerhouse at the Camp Nou. Alexandros Tzorvas played a key role during the first minutes of the game, deflecting any attempt from FC Barcelona's strikers to claim the upper hand in the first minutes. And Panathinaikos finally surprised the whole continent thanks to Sidney Govou's goal early on the 20th minute. The Hellenic celebrations after the goal awoke Barcelona's players, and when Lionel Messi scored on the following minute and David Villa 10 minutes later, it was clear the Spaniard monster was alive and hungry. Panathinaikos' defense was nothing but a Mediterranean aperitif for Pep Guardiola's boys, while Carles Puyol and Sergio Busquets (both returning to the squad) kept it difficult for the visiting team to taste once again Victor Valdes' goal. Messi once again on the 44th minute and Nikos Nioplas' boys had much to think not to suffer even more on the second half.
The last 45 minutes were difficult for the Greek squad. Lionel Messi was unstoppable and he found infinite weaknesses on their defense, joining either Pedro or Villa, but Panathinaikos' goalkeeper had something to say against the vicious shots of the Argentinean. He missed a penalty shot minutes later, but he could let this go and focus on the game, and almost scored a third goal when on minute 77th he shot against Nioplas' goal. The ball hit the post and Pedro found it bouncing inches away from the goal line. Dani Alves sentenciated a fifth goal and it was game over. Panathinaikos' manager was aware this trip to Spain was dangerous, but it'd have been almost impossible to foresee such a slaughter.
Twente celebrated this 2-2 against Internazionale as if it was a victory, for the local team would have never expected such a promising debut facing the current champion. The Italian squad opened the score on minute 13 thanks to Wesley Sneijder, who took advantage of a deflection from Twente's goalkeeper that left the ball bouncing just in front of his goal. Theo Janssen evened the score with a brilliant shot from a free kick, but it was on the 30th minute that everything changed. Diego Milito tried to send away a high ball from a corner kick but the ball went straight into Julio Cesar's goal. The advantage lasted only 11 minutes, as Samuel Eto'o scored the equalizer when the first half was almost over.
The 22 players on the field were exhausted after the endless action of the first half, and the last 45 minutes showed Rafa Benitez has a lot of work to do to be able to keep up with the most challenging European race. An enormous match for Twente, as they secured one point against the most dangerous rival of the group.
A sounding victory that confirms the brilliant moment of Valencia was celebrated over the Turkish champion this Thursday. Unai Emery's boys are leading the group and have settled a precedent to terrorize their next rivals with. Aritz Aduriz, Tino Costa, Pablo and Roberto Soldado scored on a brilliant football Valencian evening at in Turkey. It is important to notice the three goals came from reinforcements, showing how deeply Unai Emery understands the functioning of the Che machine. At the end of the first quart of an hour, Argentina's midfielder Tino Costa scored a brilliant goal from over 30 yards, Aduriz followed with a header at the end of the first half.
For the second half Valencia cooled down and enjoyed the advantages of being two goals ahead. The team grow in confidence, Pablo and later on Roberto Soldado sealed a victory that will seriously boost one of Spain's most compromised teams in the Champions League. As Atletico Madrid, Valencia's players are slowly keeping up with the two giants and saying it out loud throughout all Europe.
A boring 0-0 game took place at the Old Trafford, when Rangers' defensive strategy did enough to stop Alex Ferguson's boys from scoring but nothing more, lacking offensive ideas to bag the three points. Antonio Valencia was substituted at the 62nd minute having suffered a strong blow in his right ankle that stop the game from almost 10 minutes. Ryan Giggs took over Valencia's place but he couldn't do much to feed Wayne Rooney and Chicharrito Hernandez, who could only worry once with a header that was inches away from finding the net. Valencia grows as the favorite in the group while Red Devils' followers worry. Rangers' captain David Weir was the only dangerous player within The Sons of William, who couldn't really figure how to break through Manchester's midfield.
Alex Ferguson declared "We have to admit their formation made it difficult the attack. They did a great job, we had the ball but couldn't create major opportunities to score" and he has a reason to say so: The Scotch turtled up to wait for Manchester for the last thirty minutes, and when Olegario Benquerença finished the game everyone was relieved.
Claudio Pizarro's Werder Bremen could not offer the crowds the three points when Tottenham visited the Weserstadion. Petri Pasenen and Peter Crouch gave the visiting squad the upper hand for the first half of the match, but the Teutonics managed to reduce the difference before the first half was over thanks to Hugo Almeida and could even the score early in the second half (Marko Marin). The four teams in group A scored two goals and received the same amount, and the fight for the two places for the next phase will be restless. Clemens Fritz's defensive mistakes could have costed the Deustch the game, for Rafael Van der Vaart's Tottenham was superior in aerial play and from the air came Crouch's goal, when Fritz once again gave room for Van der Vaart to assist the English Giant.
Werder Bremen surely missed Mesut Ozil's creativity from the wings, but during the second half they showed they need to be taken seriously in this European fight. Peter Crouch had plenty of opportunities during the second half to return home victorious, but Werder's goalkeeper made it impossible.
Lyon's affairs with Schalke 04 had a happy ending for the French side. Michael Bastos scored the winning goal on the 21th minute with a deep projection from the left wing that beat Royal Blues' goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer. This is the fourth consecutive defeat of Schalke this season, and Felix Magath's continuity will surely be jeopardized unless he makes some radical modifications in his scheme soon. Something strange is going on Magath's boys, for the powerful offensive trident (Jefferson Farfan, Raul and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar) is isolated from the rest of the team. Benedikt Höwedes made the mistake that allowed Bastos to beat Neuer, and minutes later Schalke's defender was sent off, compromising the possibilities of his squad.
Lisandro Lopez had plenty of opportunities to widen the difference, while Yoann Gourcuff kept Neuer constantly busy, but the Teutonic legend respond accordingly. A victory by the minimum difference that boosted the spirit of the Gallics before visiting Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC by the end of the month. The German side, on the other hand, will be receiving home the Portuguese powerhouse SL Benfica.
Copenhague and Rubin Kazan played a game of many inaccuracies, but Ousmane N’Doye secured a victory with a header for the local team on minute 87. Rubin Kazan's coach went for a highly defensive formation to asphyxiate Copenhagen's midfielders, and it worked for the first 45th minutes in which the Dutch could hardly even compromise the Russian goalkeeper. Christian Noboa could have scored the opening goal but Johan Wiland's expertise between the posts denied it, and thus the first half ended knowing the one who scored the first goal will surely bag the full scoring.
Rubin Kazan started the second half with the same furious energy but just couldn't find the way to beat Copenhague's defense. The local team started growing thanks to a strong presence from the wings, with Zdeněk Pospěch and Oscar Wendt joining the offense from the back line, multiplying the offensive perspectives. When Obafema Martins was substituted Rubin Kazan's forces diminished greatly, and five minutes from the end of the match, N'Doye became hero once again. An important victory for the local team that didn't play well but whose good footbalistic habits denied the visitors from returning home with a single point.
Lead by Lio Messi, the Blaugranas humiliated the Greek powerhouse at the Camp Nou. Alexandros Tzorvas played a key role during the first minutes of the game, deflecting any attempt from FC Barcelona's strikers to claim the upper hand in the first minutes. And Panathinaikos finally surprised the whole continent thanks to Sidney Govou's goal early on the 20th minute. The Hellenic celebrations after the goal awoke Barcelona's players, and when Lionel Messi scored on the following minute and David Villa 10 minutes later, it was clear the Spaniard monster was alive and hungry. Panathinaikos' defense was nothing but a Mediterranean aperitif for Pep Guardiola's boys, while Carles Puyol and Sergio Busquets (both returning to the squad) kept it difficult for the visiting team to taste once again Victor Valdes' goal. Messi once again on the 44th minute and Nikos Nioplas' boys had much to think not to suffer even more on the second half.
The last 45 minutes were difficult for the Greek squad. Lionel Messi was unstoppable and he found infinite weaknesses on their defense, joining either Pedro or Villa, but Panathinaikos' goalkeeper had something to say against the vicious shots of the Argentinean. He missed a penalty shot minutes later, but he could let this go and focus on the game, and almost scored a third goal when on minute 77th he shot against Nioplas' goal. The ball hit the post and Pedro found it bouncing inches away from the goal line. Dani Alves sentenciated a fifth goal and it was game over. Panathinaikos' manager was aware this trip to Spain was dangerous, but it'd have been almost impossible to foresee such a slaughter.
Twente celebrated this 2-2 against Internazionale as if it was a victory, for the local team would have never expected such a promising debut facing the current champion. The Italian squad opened the score on minute 13 thanks to Wesley Sneijder, who took advantage of a deflection from Twente's goalkeeper that left the ball bouncing just in front of his goal. Theo Janssen evened the score with a brilliant shot from a free kick, but it was on the 30th minute that everything changed. Diego Milito tried to send away a high ball from a corner kick but the ball went straight into Julio Cesar's goal. The advantage lasted only 11 minutes, as Samuel Eto'o scored the equalizer when the first half was almost over.
The 22 players on the field were exhausted after the endless action of the first half, and the last 45 minutes showed Rafa Benitez has a lot of work to do to be able to keep up with the most challenging European race. An enormous match for Twente, as they secured one point against the most dangerous rival of the group.
