2008-2009 UEFA Champions League - Matchday 2 Results
October 3rd 2008 03:09
Group A
Chelsea CFR Cluj: 0-0Cluj are continuing to impress everyone on the European stage. After defeating Roma 2-1 on Day 1, they held Chelsea to a scoreless draw which keeps them in second place. Granted, Chelsea didn't play very well. Without Joe Cole on the wing, they lacked the mobility necessary to stretch Cluj's compact defense. The Blues started with a 4-3-3 formation but suprisingly looked better with a 4-4-2 once Anelka came on in the second half. However, Drogba's injury before the hour-mark erased all the momentum they had at the start of the second period while Cluj gained in confidence as time went on. The Romanian even tested Cech late in the game but everyone could tell that they were equally satisfied with a draw.
Bordeaux Roma: 1-3
In my previews, I had picked the French club to cause the surprise in this group. Instead, they seem to be really struggling while Cluj aren't intimated at all. It's a good thing that Roma took the opportunity to get all three points out of this match as it keeps them close to the two leaders.
Group B
Anorthosis Panathinaikos: 3-1Inter Bremen: 1-1
Mourinho's men were held to a scoreless draw at the San Siro, but they still top their group, so we'll take that one as a slight misstep.
Group C
Sporting Basel: 2-0Shakhtar Barcelona: 1-2
Group D
Liverpool PSV: 3-1Atletico Marseille: 2-1
Group E
Aalborg Manchester United: 0-3Rooney opened the scoring and Berbatov scored a double (both goals assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney's came from Giggs' pass) to provide United a convincing win over the Danish club. There was a price to pay for those points however as the defending champions lost midfielder Paul Scholes for 10 weeks, striker Rooney who may miss their next league game, and youngster Rafael who put up an impressive display once again. Faced against flying fullbacks (Evra and Rafael), tricky wingers (Ronaldo and Nani), and dangerous strikers (Rooney and Berbatov), Aalborg were simply overwhelmed defensively. I still think that Nani is a defensive liability for United, he should work on helping out his teammates when they don't have possession.
Villareal Celtic: 1-0
Group F
Fiorentina Steaua: 0-0Bayern Lyon: 1-1
Group G
Arsenal Porto: 4-0After a disappointing performance in the Premiership, Arsenal schooled FC Porto to win 4-0. I expected a much tighter result between the two clubs. We'll see how it goes in the return leg.
Fenerbahce Dynamo Kyiv: 0-0
Group H
Zenit Real Madrid: 1-2It looks like Zenit is already flaming out of this competition but it isn't for a lack of trying though. They had more scoring chances than Madrid on Tuesday but couldn't capitalize. I wonder if anyone can figure out Ruud Van Nistelrooy's ratio for goals/shots because the guy doesn't seem to miss very much. He is the complete opposite of Adebayor.
BATE Juventus: 2-2
Juventus had quite a scare on Tuesday as they found themselves two goals down against newcomers BATE. Thankfully a double by Iaquinta salvaged a point for the Italians who will face Real Madrid on Matchday 3.
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