The
journey to Rome and that prestigious Champions’
League final began in earnest this week with a
variety of outcomes for the likely favorites. Last
year’s penalty shoot-out winners Manchester
United failed to score against Villareal
at Old Trafford and had to settle for a draw. In a
weak group however, both sides should progress
comfortably. Chelsea who were so unlucky to
lose that final in Moscow won convincingly over a
disappointing
Bordeaux
side but it was in their group that one of the most
noteworthy results transpired. Roma who
finished second in Serie A and would have home
advantage in this year’s final astonishingly went
down 1-2 at home to unknown Romanians CFR
Cluj-Napoca who were playing third tier Romanian
football seven years ago. Although they fell behind
in 17 minutes when Christian Panucci headed in a
cross from Daniele De Rossi, two goals from
Argentine midfielder Juan Emanuel Culio shocked the
Italians.
The other favorites fared better with
Barcelona,
Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Real
Madrid and Juventus all getting off to
winning starts. Arsenal needed a late William
Gallas equalizer in Kiev to deprive Dinamo of
all three points but Portuguese Champions FC
Porto beat Turks Fenerbahce 3-1 in Oporto.
There were mixed fortunes for German sides. As
mentioned Bayern were victorious, a 14th
minute van Buyten goal earning them a valuable away
win. Werder Bremen picked up four bookings
but no goals in failing to beat Anorthosis
Famagusta at home and now face a difficult trip
to Inter Milan. With Panathanaikos
making up the group though, Werder must still
be in with a good chance of progressing.
In Group C, Shakhtar Donetsk beat FC Basle
and join
Barcelona on three
points. Perennial EPL no hopers but Champions League
challengers
Liverpool
recorded an excellent 2-1 win in Marseille. Two
first half Steve Gerrard goals, one a penalty,
canceled out an opener by Lorik Cana. Atletico
Madrid thrashed PSV Eindhoven 3-0 in the
other group game.
Group F still looks interesting and competitive.
While Bayern were easing Steaua aside,
Fiorentina and French Champions Olympique
Lyon were drawing an exciting game 2-2 in Lyon.
Two Alberto Gilardino goals gave Fiorentina a
0-2 half time lead, but second half goals from
Frédéric Piquionne and Karim Benzema earned
Lyon a draw and a
valuable point.
The next round of matches take place on September 30
and October 1. Potential highlights are Arsenal
v FC Porto, Bayern Munich v Lyon,
Atletico Madrid v Marseille, Inter
Milan v Werder Bremen, and Shakhtar Donetsk v
Barcelona.
Seattle Sounders
Make Play-offs
The Seattle Sounders rounded off their last
regular season in the USL with a 1-1 draw against
Atlanta
and then lost 2-3 to local derby rivals Vancouver
Whitecaps. The Atlanta draw secured their
play-off place where they will face Montreal Impact.
Vancouver play Minnesota Thunder and both matches are two leg
affairs. Portland Timbers failed to make the
play-offs and will finish last unless
Miami lose their final game.
Seattle Sounders
will face Montreal at home on Friday 26 at Starfire
Sports Complex in Tukwila and the Whitecaps
will almost certainly have their home leg on Sunday
28 at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby.
