Updates from Match-day 4 (November 1) of UEFA Champions League 2011-12 Part -II

On November 1 as many as 8 Champions League matches were held in Groups E, F, G and H. As the First Round of the Champions League is moving on the fight for places to the next round are getting more intense. Many hitherto unknown clubs have entered into the main draw this time and they are staging quite a few surprises. So let us find out what went on in Match-day 4 matches on November 1 in Group G and H.

GROUP-G

ZENIT ST. PETERSBURG 1 [Lombaerts 45+1’] vs. SHAKHTAR DONETSK O

Lombaerts Celebrates After his Match winning goal

The game had a scrappy opening as had penalty appeals turned away. Zenit midfielder Danny performed admirably all through the first half and Zenit dominated much of the ball possession. On the stroke of half hour Danny sent in a pass to Igor Denisov that the latter struck fiercely, but the shot was saved by Shakhtar goalkeeper Rybka. Roman Shirokov also sent a curling ball to Alexander Bukharov just a few minutes later but the shot went wide. Then in the injury time at the end of first half Nicolas Lombaerts head home a cross from Viktor Fayzulin and took the Zenit into the lead. The range of attacks from Zenit went on in the second half too but these did not fetch any further goals.

APOEL NICOSIA 2 [ Ailton 42’ (P), Manduca 90’] vs. PORTO 1 [Hulk 89’ (P)]

APOEL's Marcelo Oliviera Fighting Out Against Porto Defenders

Porto looked the dominant side all through the first half and the Brazilian striker Hulk was a constant threat for APOEL. Hulk nearly scored in the 19^th minute but his powerful shot was well saved off the near post. Most of the attacks in the first half revolved around Hulk. But Porto were left to rue their chances Ailton Almeida converted a penalty after he was brought down by Eliquim Mangala. Against the run of play APOEL were in the lead. In the second half too Porto went on their search for goals and Hulk, Fernando Belluschi and Joao Moutinho all had their shots saved. Then in the last minute of regulation time Marcelo de Oliviera was fouled by James Rodriguez inside the box. The resulting penalty was converted by Hulk and everyone felt it was enough to secure a point for Porto. But on the stroke of 90 minutes Konstantinos Charalambidis sent in cross to Gustavo Manduca who sent in the ball into the goal with his left feet. This was an upset victory for APOEL for sure who sit on top of the group table.

GROUP-H

BATE BORISLAV 1 [Renan Bressan 55’ (P)] vs. AC MILAN 1 [ Ibrahimovic 22’]

Zlatan Ibrahimovic on his Way to Scoring Against Bate

Bate Borislav had one of their memorable nights when they earned a point against the Italian giants AC Milan. Throughout the first half Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were constant threats and mesmerized the crowd with their skills. In the seventh minute Alberto Aquilani nearly scored with his 20 yard volley but it missed the post. In the 22^nd minute Ibrahimovic got the ball off Antonio Nocerino and passed it on to Robinho who played the ball back to Ibrahimovic into the box to net in the first goal.  Bate tried to equalise through Skavysh’s header but it was saved by Christian Abbiati. In the 40^th minute Robinho made one of his trademark runs and got clear of the Bate defence just to find the post with his shot. After the break Bate looked to up the tempo and they were rewarded for their efforts. Milan defender Agnazio Abate fouled Kontsevoy within the box and the resultant penalty was converted by Bressan in the 55^th minute. Though Kevin-Prince Boateng came close to getting back the lead for AC Milan in the 76^th minute but his shot was blocked by Gutor.

BARCELONA 4 [Lionel Messi (24’ P, 45+2’, 90+2’), Cesc Fabregas 72’] vs. VIKTORIA PLZEN 0

Lionel Messi Puts One past the Plzen goalkeeper

Pep Guardiola’s 200^th game as a coach was celebrated in style with a win over Viktoria Plzen. Lionel Messi had an outstanding game scoring a hattrick. Barcelona though started out with a very uncharacteristic style of play and went for long range shots. Messi, Thiago Alcantara and Fabregas all tried their luck with long range shots. In the 24^th minute Messi was brought down in the box by Cisovski, who was also sent off for the foul. Messi netted the first goal from the spot. In the stoppage time after first half Messi netted in his second after exchanging passes with Adriano.  Plzen had some chances which they squandered, before Barcelona piled on the misery with their third goal. Fabregas headed home Cuenca’s cross in the 72^nd minute to make it 3-0. Though Barcelona were in the lead but Guardiola was relentless as he substituted forward for defender. His ambitions paid off when Messi completed his hattrick in stoppage time after second half. Messi received a backheel from Gerard Pique and provided a perfect finish. 

Jeopardy between Country and Club

We all love to watch the gripping display of the top players in EPL, Serie A and Spanish La Liga. These are the most popular football leagues in the world and millions of bucks are spent to make them stunning. Barcelona and Real Madrid solely would spend a total sum that would be good enough to feed the hungry people in Somalia! The players are paid handsomely and it is no wonder that they perform to their peak at their respective clubs. But the problem arises when there are national duties. Ask any upcoming player and their dream is to win cups for their nation. But ask the famous players it would be winning championship for their clubs. This how the psychology of the players gets affected after they fall into the elite league.

Everyone was criticizing the performance of Lionel Messi, the magician with the foot. But have you considered the price of that foot. If he incurred any injuries giving his all for Argentina and got wounded doing so then not only him but the club (Barcelona) would lose out on lots of money. Similar was the case with most reputed players featuring in the 2011 Copa America. Some of the national teams were also issued threats that they would be dragged to the court in case of injuries to their star players. This is a piteous situation. No wonder there are some players who think twice before turning up in their national colors.

Another factor that came to the fore in the recently concluded Copa America was the fact that players from the top footballing nations lacked co-ordination, such as Brazil. Most of the Brazil players play important parts in their club teams. They did not get enough time to practice and gel in with their national team members, thus they cut a shabby figure on the field. It was no wonder that the World Cup and Copa America have both been won by underdogs. The leading national team members are just losing interest in serving their national side. This might cause a lot of frustration for the fans, but they will be quenched once the major leagues start over again.

This is the reason people love Manchester United, they do not buy players rather they are a grooming ground for upcoming players. Other teams buy stars and want to get their money’s worth.