UEFA Champions League 2005/06

[calcutta]

GROUP B: Roman Revolution - Riquelme double guides Yellow Submarine to second spot

VILLAREAL.........3 Sorin 16', Riquelme (p) 51' 67'
BENFICA............1 Zahoivic 20'

Villareal shot to seven points and second spot in Group B thanks to a second half brace from playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme. With the game tied 1-1 at the break, the "Yellow Submarine" went back in front from the penalty spot in the 51st minute when Luciano Figueroa was ruled to have been pushed in the back by Benfica defender Miguel. Former Barcelona flop Riquelme made no mistake from the spot sending Jose Moreira the wrong way, just as he had done when the teams met in the first week. Midway through the second half, Riquelme scored his second (and third of the competition) with an accurate long range effort. After Antonio Guayre set him up, the Argentine let loose a first-timer from 25 yards which curled into the bottom right corner. Moreira was well beaten again as he seemed to have spotted the ball late.

The hosts had initially taken the lead in the 16th minute when another Argentinean in Juan Pablo Sorin spectactularly headed in a rebound. Moreira could only parry Figueroa's fierce 19 yard strike in the air and the midfielder pounced on it first with an acrobatic diving header sending it into the open goal. But Benfica were back on level terms just four minutes later when Zlatko Zahovic scored arguably the goal of the game. The Slovenian's 22 yard left foot rocket sailed into the top right corner of Jose Reina's net, with the goalkeeper failing to get near despite being at full stretch. But Villareal took control of the game in the second period and never looked back to ensure a second straight win. They now move one point clear of AC Milan, and must beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in the final week to have any chance of quarter finals football.

Shots: 10-7 Villareal
On Target: 6-2 Villareal
Cards
- VIL none
- BEN none


GROUP C: Beckham, Bellamy strikes set up enticing final round encounter

LYON.................1 Pedretti 41'
REAL MADRID.....2 Totti 55', Beckham 74'

The heroics of David Beckham ensured a third straight victory for the Galacticos that has them well in contention to qualify for the quarter finals. Visitors Real Madrid came from a goal down at the break to secure a 2-1 win at the Gerland, putting them on ten points and sending their opponents out of the competition. But it was Lyon who took the lead late in the first half when Benoit Pedretti put in his thrid goal of the competition. The former Marseille star beat the Madrid offside trap and latched onto a chip pass from Florent Malouda, dispatching a seven yard volley pass the hapless Iker Casillas in goal.

Michael Owen replaced Raul at the break as the current Spanish Liga leaders enforced a new attacking approach. The move almost paid of in the 51st minute when the subsitute took the direct route on goal before blasting a 16 yard strike centimetres over the bar. Four minutes later, Madrid had their equaliser when Beckham chipped in a short cross to Francesco Totti.
The Italian forward chested the ball down and clinically sidefooted from 13 yards - his second of the tournament. Madrid completed the turnaround twenty minutes later when Beckham added a goal to his assist. The England captain went it alone this time, sending in a strike by Gregory Coupet to the bottom right from 20 yards, despite the goalkeeper getting a hand onto the ball. The Galacticos held on for another impressive win and can guarantee a passage into the next round with a positive result at home to Celtic next week.

Shots: 10-10
On Target: 5-5
Cards
- LYN none
- MAD Roberto Carlos, Phillip Cocu


CELTIC..................1 Bellamy 81'
WERDER BREMEN....1 Klasnic 10'

Substitute Craig Bellamy was the saviour for Celtic, scoring a late equalising goal to ensure the Scottish runners-up remain on top of the group and now a certainty for the knockout rounds. The draw keeps Celtic undefeated and takes them to 11 points, just one ahead of next week's opponents Real Madrid. Bremen, who were without a point heading into today's game, took the surprise lead ten minutes in when Ivan Klasnic connected with a cross from rare starter Christian Schultz. The Croat was unmarked from near the penalty spot and comfortably headed his team in front, capitalising on Shay Given's poor positioning on the goal line.

From then on, the home team dominated the game but struggled to get shots on goal. Topscorer Robbie Keane was particularly disappointing, failing to score or register a shot on target for the first time in the current campaign. Chris Sutton and John Hartson both squandered chances either side of half time from just inside the area, sending their efforts wide of goal. Bremen goalie Andreas Reinke did well to keep his side in front on the hour mark, punching over a strong 19 yard strike from Neil Lennon. Immediately after, Bellamy made his appearance coming on for Aiden McGeady and began tormenting the visitors' defense. But the long-awaited goal didn't arrive till the 81st minute when the diminutive Welshman headed in a short cross from compatriot Hartson four yards out, after the Germans had failed to deal with a corner. It was a controversial ending, as replays indicate the scorer was offside but the goal was awarded, setting up a mouth-watering final week matchup in Madrid, with top place in the group at stake.

Shots: 14-9 Celtic
On Target: 6-4 Celtic
Cards
- CEL Jamie Carragher
- BRE Ludovic Magnin, Miroslav Klose

[Qb]

Just had to say that this is an unbelieveably well-conceived and well-written thread. I've really enjoyed it and actually find myself cheering for the Gunners while I read along. Kudos!

Q

[calcutta]

FC BAYERN MUENCHEN
INTERNAZIONALE FC

Group F Match from the Allianz Arena, Munich

When the teams met in the first week, a 1-1 draw was played out at an empty San Siro in Milan. This time around, the spectacular backdrop of a capacity-filled Allianz Arena was the setting where the two giants were prepared to battle it out for top spot in Group F. Despite a shock home loss to Dyanmo Kyiv last week, Felix Magath didn't make many changes to his 4-4-2 line-up. Hasan Salihamidzic was pushed into right midfield accommodating space at right back for French international Willy Sagnol, while key players Michael Ballack, Ze Roberto and Roy Makaay all retained their spots. Similarly, Inter's squad was unchanged from last week's stuttering draw at home to Rangers. The 3-5-2 formation had a strong South American feel to it with Argentine trio Juan Sebastian Veron, Pablo Aimar and Esteban Cambiasso making up the bulk of midfield. Uruguayan Alvaro Recoba again started in an attacking midfield role behind strike pair Adriano and Obafemi Martins.

Group leaders with seven points, Bayern got off to the brighter start with Ballack's 19 yard drive deflecting off a defender and safely into Francesco Toldo's arms seven minutes in. Salihamidzic's new role allowed him to freely explore the right flank, and the Bosnian's telling cross at the quarter hour picked out Roque Santa Cruz who headed over the bar from eight yards. The hosts continued to dominate with a counter attack down the left in the 26th minute, but Ze Roberto decided to go it alone and sky a 20 yarder into the stands, leaving an unmarked Makaay fuming in the box. Inter, who are currently undefeated with six points, didn't register their first chance until the 34th minute, when Adriano pierced a hole in the home team's defence. The Brazilian played through Veron ahead of the shaky Bayern offside trap, only for the former Chelsea and Man Utd flop to angle his low shot, missing the target at the far post. Four minutes prior to the break, Martins took it into his own liberty to break the deadlock when he left Lucio for dead. The Bayern defender was made to look like a schoolboy when the Nigerian brushed him aside and fizzled a left foot strike just wide of the right post from the edge of the area. Goalkeeper Oliver Kahn was rooted to the spot, thankful to see the stinging shot go the other side of the post and ensure the game remained scoreless at the break.

Both managers were content to leave the same starting eleven on the pitch to begin the second period, as the crowd was restlessly awaiting the first goal, hopefully for the home team. But it was the skills of Aimar that almost saw the visitors take the lead. The former Valencia starlet's exploits down the left saw him skip by two defenders before whipping in a telling cross to Martins, only for the Nigerian to mis-time his volley harmlessly at Kahn on the goalline. At the other end of the pitch, Santa Cruz looked to reaffirm Bayern's early dominance but his 20 yard left foot rocket forced a brilliant diving save out of Toldo in the 57th minute.

Robert Mancini made the first change of the game just pass the hour mark, introducing right winger Andy van der Meyde for Recoba, allowing Veron to move into that vacated central midfield role. Bayern's Ze Roberto was also replaced in a like-for-like change by yonug German international Bastian Schweinsteiger, but both subs failed to make much of an impact. Instead it was Inter stalwart Javier Zanetti who almost gifted Makaay the opening goal in the 71st minute when the Dutchman dispossessed him just outside the area but foiled his strike straight at Toldo, much to the anguish of the now frustrated home supporters. With a quarter of an hour to go, it looked as if the scoreline would never be troubled. More so after Martins volleyed another shot wide connecting with a flick on from Adriano. But the game took a sudden twist with just six minutes to play, when an Inter counter attack led to the opening goal. Veron was the scorer on the rebound, following enterprising work from Martins down the left. The Nigerian had too much speed for Sagnol before directing a low cross to Edgar Davids whose toe poke was smothered by Kahn. But the trailing Veron was on hand to nestle the rebound into the empty net and put Inter up in the dying stages.

Defender Marco Materazzi immediately replaced Adriano, while Schweinsteiger was pushed up front in three-pronged Bayern attack, but time was on Inter's side as they held on for an stunning last gasp win to propel them over their opponents in the standings. Inter remain unbeaten and now lead the group with nine points. The Italians also hold the head-to-head advantge over Bayern, meaning they only require a draw next week at home to Dynamo Kyiv to book a quarter final berth. The German champions must now beat Rangers in the final round and pray other results favour them in order to advance.


POST-MATCH COMMENTS

Bayern midfielder Michael Ballack:

"We may have lost two in a row at home and not scored a goal in those games but I think we are still a decent chance to progress to the next round. We just need to regroup and win in Glasgow next week but unfortunately the rest is up to Dynamo...our best opportunity is if they can beat Inter."

Inter Milan midfielder Edgar Davids:

"It's a amazing result to be honest. We were hoping for the win and it came in the most extraordinary circumstance...it would've have been even better if I'd actually scored the goal but that doesn't matter anymore. At least now, top spot is only ours to lose from here."

	     BAYERN MUNICH 0 - 1 INTER MILAN

                                  84' Veron
                                  
		     
------------------------------------------------------------
                           LINEUPS

              Oliver Kahn  GK   GK  Francesco Toldo
             Willy Sagnol  RB   CB  Ivan Cordoba
                     Juan  CB   CB  Christian Chivu
                    Lucio  CB   CB *Javier Zanetti
   (-85) Bixente Lizarazu  LB   DM  Esteban Cambiasso (-80)
          Owen Hargreaves  DM   DM  Edgar Davids
       Hasan Salihamidzic  RM   RM  Juan Sebastian Veron
          Michael Ballack  CM   LM  Pablo Aimar
         (-68) Ze Roberto  LM   OM  Alvaro Recoba (-62)
               Roy Makaay  CF   CF  Obafemi Martins
   (-76) Roque Santa Cruz  CF   CF  Adriano (-85)
   
                         SUBSTITUTES

            Frank Rensing  GK   GK  Fabian Carini
             Thomas Linke  DF   DF  Marco Materazzi (+85)
         (+85) Tobias Rau  DF   DF  Ze Maria
  (+68) B. Schweinsteiger  MF   MF  Dejan Stankovic (+80)
          Andreas Gorlitz  MF   MF  Andy van der Meyde (+62)
     (+76) Paulo Guerrero  ST   ST  Julio Cruz
          Claudio Pizarro  ST   ST  Christian Vieri

 
		             KEY
                    * player was cautioned
                    ! player was sent off
                    ~ player was injured

------------------------------------------------------------
                            STATS

             13             Shots            9
              4           On Target          4
             49            POS (%)           51
              0            Assists           0
              0            Yellows           1
              0           Red Cards          0

------------------------------------------------------------

[calcutta]

GROUP D: Juve seals passage through as Schalke salvage some pride

JUVENTUS..........2 Nedved 30', Mutu 83'
AS MONACO.......0

A goal and an assist for Czech playmaker Pavel Nedved kept Juve's undefeated streak alive and pushed them comfortably into the quarter finals. The loss for Monaco means they must now beat Porto in the 2004 final rematch next week and hope that other results go their way in order to join today's opponents in the knockout rounds. Juve, who now have 13 points to seal top spot in Group D, were the dominant force throughout the game and after Nedved and Zlatan Ibrahimovic wasted early chances, they took the lead on the hour mark when the Monaco defence failed to deal with a corner. Ibrahimovic's header was blocked on the line by Maicon, and Nedved was on hand to slot in the four yard rebound and put the hosts in front, from which they never looked back.

The former international was unlucky not to score a second in the 55th minute with a 30 yard rocket, but Flavio Roma emphatically punched his effort over the bar. Ibrahimovic again missed a great opportunity fifteen minutes later with an audacious chip that angled wide of the left post. Monaco's best chance of the match came in the 77th minute via an Ernasto Chevanton and Robinho one two, but the former's 12 yard shot was well blocked by Pablo Cannavaro and the ball trickled wide of goal. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was hardly troubled in goal during the game, resulting in his fourth clean sheet in five UCL matches. Pushing forward in an effort to net an equaliser, Monaco were exposed at the back allowing substitute Adrian Mutu to slot home Juve's second in the 83rd minute. Nedved was the architect this time, sending the Romanian through one-on-one with Roma to score his first goal for the Old Lady since returning from a seven month drug ban.

Shots: 13-7 Juventus
On Target: 6-3 Juventus
Cards
- JUV Robert Pires
- ASM Patrice Evra


PORTO.............1 Landzaat (p) 25'
SCHALKE.........1 Kobiashvili 84'

Levan Kobiashvili netted Schalke's first goal of the campaign to give his side their first point but more importantly severely dent Porto's chances of repeating their 2004 success. The left winger scored an incredible 20 yard screamer that flew into the top left corner of the net, giving outstretched Porto goalkeeper Vitor Baia no chance. The equalising goal arrived with six minutes to play as visitors Schalke applied bundles pressure in order to secure a point and finish their dismal campaign on a high. Hosts Porto initially took the lead in the 25th minute from the penalty spot when Carlos Alberto was scythed down in the area by defender Marcelo Bordon. Central midfielder Denny Landzaat converted his low shot beneath Baia, scoring his first goal for the club since joining them from AZ Alkmaar in the summer. Schalke outplayed their opponents for much of the remainder and were unlucky not to eqaulise in the 52nd minute. Kevin Kuranyi missed two great chances, hitting the post on his first attempt before having his follow-up blocked on the line. But Kobiashvili's late heroics ensured Schalke would register at least one point and one goal scored in the Champions League as they now shift their focus to the German Bundesliga, where they currently rank third.

Shots: 12-11 Schalke
On Target: 5-4 Schalke
Cards
- FCP Bosingwa
- SCH Marcelo Bordon

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GROUP E: E is for Eto'o - Sammy's sixth strike seals top spot for Catalans

BARCELONA.......1 Eto'o 15'
AJAX.................0

FC Barcelona booked their ticket for the quarter finals thanks to a early goal from Samuel Eto'o, who scored his sixth goal in five outings to shoot to the top of the goal scorers charts. The only goal of the game arrived in the 15th minute via an audacious chip from the edge of the area when Mark van Bommel played the African through, beating the offside trap. Bogdan Lobont was in two minds as the Camerounian's pinpoint chip cleared the keeper and bounced safely into the net. Wesley Sneijder came closest to equalising for the Dutch giants, hitting the crossbar with 21 yard screamer in the 28th minute. But Ajax were shut out for the second week running as their dismal away form continues, failing to get a point in any of their three games on the road.

The low scoreline was not an accurate indicator of the open-ended nature of the match which pitted two very attacking styles together. But despite a plethora of scoring chances, both teams were guilty of wasting guilt-edge chances due to a combination of poor finishing and stunning goalkeeping. The latter was exhibited in just the 7th minute when a Xavi lob pass found Eto'o in the box, only for his forceful six yard volley to astonishingly be turned aside by Lobont. Steven Pienaar continued the lively opening to the game four minutes later, squandering a great one-on-one opportunity by hitting the side netting. Ronaldinho was subdued for much of the match, but should have doubled Barca's lead in the 63rd minute with a similar chance. However, a rare lapse in concentration from the Brazilian saw him weakly mis-hit his shot straight at the Romaian goalie. Nevertheless, the solitary Eto'o strike was enough to seal top spot as the Catalans win their fourth straight, while Ajax languish in third on six points.

Shots: 14-13 Ajax
On Target: 7-5 Barcelona
Cards
- BAR Juliano Belletti
- AJX Vincent Kompany


PANATHINAIKOS...0
ARSENAL..............0

Arsenal wasted a great chance to stay close to Barcelona in the standings when they were held goalless by Panathinaikos on a muddy Apostolos Nikolaidis pitch. The miserable conditions made for a slow-paced and lacklustre 90 minutes of football between two normally vibrant attacking forces, as Arsenal's hopes of progressing suffered a huge setback. The closest either team came to scoring was in the 51st minute, when typical mastery from Thierry Henry saw him weave his way through the Pana defence only for his dipping 20 yarder to hit the crossbar, with goalkeeper Stefanos Kotsolis well beaten.

Earlier at the half hour mark, Emanuel Olisadebe also skimmed the bar of Jens Lehmann's goal with a ten yard header from an Angelos Basinas corner. The Polish international then almost stole the points for the home team in the 85th minute after a give-and-go with Markus Munch that split the defence of the Londoners. But Olisadebe first-timed the return pass from the edge of the area, sending it across goal inches wide of the far post. As it were, the match fittingly finished scoreless meaning the Gunners now have seven points in five games, five behind group winners Barcelona, whom they play in the final week at Highbury. Arsene Wenger's men must win to have any chance of making a quarter finals appearance.

Shots: 9-7 Arsenal
On Target: 3-3
Cards
- PAN Pantelis Konstantinidis, Loukas Vintra
- ARS none


GROUP F: Rangers shoot down Kyiv but stay out of the hunt

DYNAMO KYIV.....1 Verpakovskis 66'
RANGERS............2 Husin (own goal) 8', Prso 14'

Two early goals for Rangers led to a 2-1 win for the visitors, leaving both teams on five points which mathematically puts both clubs out of the competition. An embarrassing own goal from Dynamo captain Andriy Husin in just the 8th minute gave the Glaswegians a perfect start on way to their first win of the current campaign. Husin headed a left side cross from Peter Lovenkrands into his own net, despite no sign of nearby danger. Six minutes later Rangers were up 2-0 when Dado Prso scored his first UCL goal for the Scottish champions, again via aerial play. The burly Croat easily outjumped his marker nine yards from goal, connecting with a Hemad Namouchi center from the right. Midway through the second half, Maris Verpakovskis pegged a consolation goal back for the hosts on a Dynamo counter attack but the resiliant Rangers defence denied any chance of a comeback in the latter stages. The final round of play sees both teams playing for pride although the results may implications for Group F's final standings - Rangers host Bayern Munich, while Dynamo are away to group leaders Inter.

Shots: 7-7
On Target: 3-2 Rangers
Cards
- DYK none
- RAN none

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Goal Stats

31 Total Goals
2.58 Goals Per Game

Total Assisted Goals: 17
Total Penalty Goals: 2 (out of 2 awarded)
Total Own Goals: 1

Goals per 15 minute period

 1'-15' =  5   (16.1%)
16'-30' =  6   (19.4%)
31'-45' =  6   (19.4%)
46'-60' =  3    (9.7%)
61'-75' =  6   (19.4%)
76'-90' =  5   (16.1%)
TOTAL = 31

Disciplinary Stats

19 Yellow Cards
0 Red Cards


Top Goalscorers
6 - Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona)
5 - Eidur Gudjohnsen (Chelsea), Robbie Keane (Celtic)
4 - Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United), Robinho (AS Monaco), Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
3 - Ailton (Olympiacos), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (PSV), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan), Juan Roman Riquelme (Villareal), Nuno Gomes (Benfica), Benoit Pedretti (Lyon), Benni McCarthy (FC Porto), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Roy Makaay (Bayern)

Top Assisters
3 - Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Deco (Barcelona), Juninho Pernambucano (Lyon)
2 - Joe Cole, Jiri Jarosik (both Chelsea), Rivaldo (Olympiacos), Christian Wilhelmsson (PSV), Paul Scholes (Manchester United), Antonio Guayre (Villareal) Zlatko Zahovic (Benfica), Alan Thompson (Celtic), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Javier Saviola (AS Monaco), Diego (FC Porto), Ronaldinho, Mark van Bommel (both Barcelona), David Trezeguet (Arsenal), Dado Prso (Rangers), Maris Verpakovskis (Dynamo Kyiv)

[calcutta]

KEY:

• o - team has qualified for quarter finals
• x - team is out of the competition

GROUP A

                 P  W  D  L  GF  GA   GD  PT
Chelsea          5  4  0  1  13   5   +8  12    o
Olympiacos       5  2  3  0   8   5   +3   9
PSV Eindhoven    5  1  1  3   6  10   -4   4    x
Sparta Praha     5  0  2  3   3  10   -7   2    x

GROUP B

                 P  W  D  L  GF  GA   GD  PT
Manchester Utd   5  4  1  0   8   3   +5  13    o
Villareal        5  2  1  2   8   7   +1   7
AC Milan         5  2  0  3   4   6   -2   6    
Benfica          5  0  2  3   4   8   -4   2    x

GROUP C

                 P  W  D  L  GF  GA   GD  PT
Celtic           5  3  2  0   9   4   +5  11    o
Real Madrid      5  3  1  1   7   4   +3  10
Lyon             5  1  2  2   6   5   +1   5    x
Werder Bremen    5  0  1  4   3  12   -9   1    x

GROUP D

                 P  W  D  L  GF  GA   GD  PT
Juventus         5  4  1  0   8   2   +6  13    o
AS Monaco        5  2  1  2   4   4    0   7
FC Porto         5  1  3  1   5   5    0   6
Schalke          5  0  1  4   1   7   -6   1    x

GROUP E

                 P  W  D  L  GF  GA   GD  PT
Barcelona        5  4  0  1  11   4   +7  12    o
Arsenal          5  2  1  2   7   6   +1   7
Ajax             5  2  0  3   4   7   -3   6 
Panathinaikos    5  1  1  3   3   8   -5   4    x

GROUP F

                 
                 P  W  D  L  GF  GA   GD  PT
Inter Milan      5  2  3  0   6   4   +2   9
Bayern Munich    5  2  1  2   6   7   -1   7
Rangers          5  1  2  2   5   6   -1   5    x
Dynamo Kyiv      5  1  2  2   6   6    0   5    x

TIE-BREAKERS

If 2 teams are tied on points, the higher ranked team is the team with:
1) better head-to-head record incorporating the away goals rule;
2) better goal difference;
3) higher goals for.

If 3 or more teams are tied on points, the higher ranked team is the team with:
1) better goal difference;
2) higher goals for.

[calcutta]

WILDCARD STANDINGS

                 P  W  D  L  GF  GA   GD  PT
Real Madrid      5  3  1  1   7   4   +3  10
Olympiacos       5  2  3  0   8   5   +3   9
--------------------------------------------
Villareal        5  2  1  2   8   7   +1   7
Arsenal          5  2  1  2   7   6   +1   7
AS Monaco        5  2  1  2   4   4    0   7
Bayern Munich    5  2  1  2   6   7   -1   7

WILDCARD TIE-BREAKERS

If 2 or more teams are tied on points, the higher ranked team is the team with:
1) better goal difference;
2) higher goals for;
3) better record against respective group winner.