Champions League .. Tuesday results, Wednesday preview
September 29th 2010 10:41
Link: twitter.com/mattsaltmer
As expected, last night's Champions League action, didn't provide much in the way of upsets. However, there were encouraging performances from some of the smaller teams in the competition, showing their grit and determination, in games they were expected to lose much heavier than they did.
Arsenal battled to what in the end, was an impressive 3-1 win away against Partizan Belgrade. The usually unreliable Fabianski, in goal after fellow blunder keeper Almunia cost them at the weekend, saved a penalty, and looked good in net. After Arshavin's early goal was cancelled out, Chamakh and Squallaci scored in the last twenty minutes, to seal the win. Braga look as good as out of the group, after following their six goal drumming at the Emirates, by losing 3-0 at home against Shakhtar.
I predicted Bayern and Roma may have found things difficult last night, and despite both winning, definitely did! An 89th minute winner from Bastian Schweinsteiger was needed to help the Germans win 2-1 away at Basel. Roma looked comfortable in comparison, a 71st minute goal helping them past Cluj, also 2-1. Angel Di Maria also scored a late winner for Real Madrid, saving their blushes in a 1-0 win at Auxerre. The game between Ajax and AC Milan, not too surprisingly, ended in a draw. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was on target again for the Italians, as it finished 1-1.
The most anticipated match up of tonight's Champions League fixtures, is between Valencia and Manchester United. The Spanish side have started the season in fine form, and despite losing Villa, Mata and Silva, possibly their three best players, in the summer, they are currently top of La Liga. After the draw at Bolton, Man Utd are going through what by there standards, is a mini crisis, despite being 2nd in the league, and still in all competitions. Scholes and Rooney didn't travel for this one, and Ferguson has only one once in Spain, in 18 attempts. I expect this to be a close contest, and think a draw is the most likely outcome, with possibly United edging it, as I feel they are still the better team.
The other game in this group, sees a great opportunity for Rangers. After their goalless draw at Old Trafford, if the Scottish champions could beat Bursaspor, they would be in a good position in the group. Barcelona travel to Rubin Kazan, looking to avenge a defeat against the Russian champions in last season's competition. With Messi still injured, and against a strong Kazan team, I feel Barca could struggle tonight. Having said that, Copenhagen beat Rubin Kazan in the opening round of games, and they will look to carry on that form, as they travel to Greek side Panathanoikos.
Group B will see Schalke desperate to recover from their opening defeat, as they face Benfica in what is almost a must win match. This should be a good game, with strikers Raul, Huntelaar and Cardozo all on show. The other game in this tough looking group, sees Lyon travel to Tel-Aviv.
Finally, tonight sees the second round of fixtures in what is considered by many, the group of death. Tottenham will know, that while tonight's opponents FC Twente are a good team, beating them at home is essential. This is the easiest game in a very tough group, and three points they need. Reigning European champions Inter Milan face Werder Bremen in a mouth-watering clash, as all four teams in the group currently sit on one point. This group is completely open, and tonight, all four teams will be desperate to take an early advantage, and go top of the group.
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