UEFA Champions League Match day 5 Scores

In the last post we had a look at the results of teams from the first three groups. There are many other teams which clashed against each other on the second day of Match day 5 on November 23, 2011. Let us take a look and who came out smiling and who lagged behind:

GROUP-E

Michael Ballack of Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea's Ramires

Leverkusen: BAYER LEVERKUSEN 2 [Eren Derdiyok 73’, Manuel Friedrich 90+1’] vs. CHELSEA 1 [Didier Drogba 48’]

Valencia: VALENCIA 7 [Jonas 10’, Roberto Soldado (13’, 35’, 39’], Pablo Hernandez 68’, Auritz Aduriz 70’, Tino Costa 81’] vs. GENK 0

Roberto Soldado after Scoring Goal against Genk

GROUP-F

Giannis Fetfatzidis Scored the Late Winner

Mersaille: OLYMPIACOS 1 [Giannis Fetfatzidis 82’] vs. MERSAILLE 0

London: ARSENAL 2 [Robin Van Persie (49’, 86’)] vs. BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1 [Shinji Kagawa 90+2’]

Robin Van Persie scored twice for the Gunners against Dortmund

GROUP-G

Hulk Fights for Ball Possession against Shakhtar Defender

Donetsk: PORTO 2 [Hulk 79’, Razvan Rat 90’ (o.g.)] vs. SHAKHTAR DONETSK 0

St. Petersburg: ZENIT ST. PETERSBURG 0 vs. APOEL 0

Constantinos Charalambides takes on Nicolas Lombaerts

GROUP-H

Marek Bakos of Plzen Scores only goal of the match 

Minsk: PLZEN 1 [Marek Bakos 42’] vs. BATE 0

Milan: BARCELONA 3 [Mark Van Bommel 14’ (o.g.), Lionel Messi 31’ (P), Xavi Hernandez 63’] vs. AC MILAN Zlatan Ibrahimovic 20’, Kevin-Prince Boateng 54’] 

Lionel Messi Dribbles Past AC Milan Defender

Updates from Match Day 4 (November 2) of UEFA Champions League 2011-12 Part-II

In the last post we had a look at the UEFA Champions League 2011-12 Match-day 4 matches. We cast our eyes on teams from Group A and B. So today we would go through the results of matches in Group C and D. 


GROUP-C


MANCHESTER UNITED 2 [Antonio Valencia 8’, Christian Sarghi (o.g.) 88’] vs. OTELUL GALATI 0

Wayne Rooney Stood Out in his Midfield Role

Wayne Rooney started in an unusual position of midfield. There was neat interplay in the midfield between Valencia, Nani and Rooney. Manchester United always had their noses in front in the opening exchanges. Then the first goal came about, Wayne Rooney passed to Dimitar Berbatov who released Phil Jones, though Jones’s pass was long for Micheal Owen but it found Valencia to perfection who tapped in the opening goal. Many fans would have expected many other goals simply due to the dominance of Manchester United but then they somehow lost their path. Berbatov and Javier Hernandez shot wide. Only significant chance for Otelul arrived when a stray pass found its way to Ionut Neagu but his decent shot was saved by David De Gea. In the second half there were a number of lost opportunities when Berbatov, Phil Jones and Hernandez all shot wide. Adrain Salageanu’s free-kick which found its way through half a dozen Otelul players was the best chance for the Romanian side. Rooney ended the anxiety for Manchester United when his long range shot took a deflection of Sarghi to find its way into the net. 


BENFICA 1 [Rodrigo 4’] vs. BASEL 1 [Benjamin Huggel 64’]

Rodrigo Scoring the Goal for Benfica

Benfica started as the dominant side and got a goal through Rodrigo in the 4th minute. It was a dangerous corner that led to the first goal. The ball was nodded down by Nicolas Gaitan and Rodrigo volleyed the ball from 12 yards. There were many other chances that came Benfica’s way to extend the lead. Rodrigo had a chance to double his score when he headed a cross from Pablo Aimar wide in the 8th minute, then in the 19th minute Ezequial Garay headed an excellent cross from Aimar wide from a very close range. The second half started with Gaitan volleying a ball wide. Similar was the fate of Rodrigo and Garay’s chances. But these misses proved costly Benfica. Chipperfield broke down the left for Basel and played a perfect ball into the centre for Huggel to slide it home. This goal opened up the game as both sides looked for the winning goal. But none of them achieved it. 


GROUP-D


REAL MADRID 2 [Christiano Ronaldo (24’, 69’ P)] vs. LYON 0

Christiano Ronaldo was All Over Lyon Defenders

Lyon seemed to be up for the challenge of facing Real Madrid. Jimmy Briand tested Real keeper Iker Casillas with a long range shot, Ronaldo also tested Hugo Lloris on the other end of the park. Lyon keeper also had to deal with shots from Karim Benzema and  Dejan Lovren had to block a shot from Ronaldo. Real took the lead in the 24th minute when Yoann Gourcuff pushed Benzema allowing Ronaldo the pleasure of scoring with a low free-kick. Xabi Alonso also had his long range effort saved by Lloris. Mesut Ozil, Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria all had their chances of extending the lead but they could not find the target. In the second half Lloris had to dive and clear rushing Benzema and Kone excaped a penalty call when he handled Sergio Ramos’ header. But just two minutes later a penalty call finally went in Real Madrid’s favour when Ronaldo was fouled inside the penalty box by Dabo. Ronaldo shot home from the penalty spot to provide a two goal cushion to Real Madrid. There were not many meaningful opportunities for Lyon and Real Madrid managed to keep a clean sheet. 


AJAX 4[Gregory Van der Wiel 20’, Miralem Sulejmani 25’, Siem De Jong 65’, Nicolas Lodeiro 90+2’] vs. DINAMO ZAGREB 0

Vand der Wiel Scores Opening Goal for Ajax

It was a scrappy game but Ajax settled down quickly. Theo Janssen won a corner but whipped it wide of the goal post. Simo Vrsaljko had his cross blocked by Ajax goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer. Ajax soon began to have the upperhand. Then in the 20th minute they got the opening goal when Christian Eriksen’s back-heel found Van der Wiel who hit the ball into the roof of the net. After five minutes Ajax doubled their lead when De Jong passed a ball through for Sulejmani who took an excellent first touch and put the ball past the Dinamo keeper into the open net. De Jong made another potent pass to Boerrigter but he failed to convert it. Dinamo had their chance when Ante Rukavina went through the defence and forced Vermeer to come out of his goal to save the situation. In the second half Ajax dominated the proceedings. They were rewarded in the 65th minute when Eriksen flicked a ball to De Jong which he slotted to the bottom left hand corner. Lodeiro then put the final goal past Dinamo in the injury time, when he accepted a pass from Lorenzo Ebecilio and steered the ball in. 

Updates from Match Day 4 (November 2) of UEFA Champions League 2011-12 Part-I

After the gruelling encounters on November 1 for places in the next round of UEFA Champions League 2011-12, the action continues into the second day. Matches of Teams from Group A, B, C and D were slated to be held on this day. Many big teams were involved in the clashes. So let us take a look at the results of Group A and B. 


GROUP-A


BAYERN MUNICH 3 [Mario Gomez (17’, 23’, 42’)] vs. NAPOLI 2 [Frederico Fernandez (45’, 79’)]

Mario Gomez Scoring his First for Bayern

Bayern Munich were dominant right from the kick-off. Luiz Gustavo and Thomas Muller had their shots saved. In the 17th minuted Bayern’s pressure play reaped rewards when Mario Gomez got at the end of Daniel van Buyten’s pass and slotted it home. Even while Napoli tried to re-group and attack they were rocked back by the second goal. Toni Kroos made a run down the left flank and centred the perfect ball for Gomez who obliged by putting the ball in. Napoli had chances with Gokhan Inler firing wide. Then on the stroke of 42 minutes Napoli were down 3-0 when Gomez poked in a rebound after the initial shot from Kroos was saved by the Napoli custodian De Sanctis. It seemed all over for Napoli but they woke from their slumber in the second half and in the 45th minutes Frederico Fernandez headed a ball from Ezequial Lavezzi into the net.  11 minutes from the end of play Fernandez headed another cross from Inler to shorten the margin. The late stages of the match were tense but Bayern got over the line. 


MANCHESTER CITY 3 [Yaya Toure (30’, 71’), Mario Belotelli 45+3’ P] vs. VILLARREAL 0

Yaya Toure and Mario Balotelli Celebrate after Manchester City Win

Though Manchester City had a nervy couple of minutes at the start of the match, but they soon seized control. They patiently waited for their chance but never looked like yielding a goal. On the stroke of half hour David Silva stole possession from Hernan Perez and slid a perfect pass for Yaya Toure to provide the perfect finish. De Guzman for Villarreal and Samir Nasri for Manchester City squandered their chances. In the closing stages of first half Manchester City were awarded a penalty when Balotelli was tripped over by Mateo Musacchio. Despite protests from Villarreal players and fans Balotelli coolly converted the penalty. In the second half Manchester City continued with their dominance. Samir Nasri and David Silva mesmerized the crowd with their skills. Then Nasri passed a ball to Balotelli down the left flank, the striker looked up and found Toure waiting. Toure skipped past the defender and goalkeeper to provide the third goal to Manchester City. 


GROUP-B


TRABZONSPOR 0 vs. CSKA MOSKOVA 0

Vagner Love Fights it Out with Trabzonspor Defender

Trabzonspor made a commanding start to the game but it was CSKA who had the first shot on goal when Vagner Love’s shot was blocked. Adrian Mierzejewski hit a long range over the posts and Vagner Love’s fierce shot was tipped over by the star of the match Tolga Zengin. Zengin also saved a deflected shot from Zoran Tosic. Burak Yilmaz had a great chance for Trabzonspor, he swivelled away from the defenders but was unlucky as his shot spun off the goal post. Just a few minutes later Seydon Doumbia raced through and reached the goal mouth but his shot on goal was again saved by the Trabzonspor goalkeeper Zengin. In the second half CSKA went on the attack to be thwarted time and again by Zengin while Trabzonspor had occasional chances. It was due to the brilliance of Zengin that Trabzonspor salvaged a point out of this match. 


INTER MILAN 2 [Walter Samuel 18’, Diego Milito 65’] vs. LILLE 1 [Tulio De Melo 83’]

Walter Samuel Heads in the First Goal for Inter

Inter Milan started out strong as Milito hit the bar in the second minute itself. Then Christian Chivu had his shot blocked by the Lille custodian Benoit Pedretti. Inter’s Mauro Zarate had his attempt on goal saved by Mickael Landreau. Zarate had his shot saved by the Inter goalkeeper before the deadlock was broken. Wesley Sneijder took a dangerous corner and centre-back Walter Samuel seized the opportunity to head home the first goal. On the other end of the park Inter goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi had to make a save to Eden Hazard’s shot on goal. Moussa Sow also hit a 20 yard shot wide of the goal. In the second hald Hazard again shot off the target. Milito created many opportunities but could not double the lead. But in the 65th minute Javier Zanetti passed a ball to Milito who converted the pass into a goal. The Lille playmaker Joe Cole created many opportunities and Lille showed signs of fight back. Then in the 83rd minute De Mello finally got one back when his lob beat Castellazzi. But there was little time left for the equalizer. 

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. 

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

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 E and F.

GROUP-E

VALENCIA 3 [Jonas 1’, Roberto Soldado 65’, Adil Rami 75’] vs. BAYER LEVERKUSEN 1 [Stephan Kiessling 31’]

Roberto Soldado and his Team celebrates

The Brazilian Jonas scored the second fastest goal in the Champions League history to get Valencia off to a great start. After the initial set-back Leverkusen regrouped and got the scores levelled with a strike by Stefan Kiessling. In the second half the hosts went on to score two goals with Roberto Soldado and Adil Rami. The opening goal by Jonas was a result of terrible mistake by Leverkusen goalkeeper who kicked the ball straight at Jonas and he obliged by slotting the ball in. It took nearly quarter of an hour for Leverkusen to start attacking. But at stoke of 31 minutes Kiessling scored after a shot from Sidney Sam was parried by Valencia goalkeeper towards him. In the closing stages of the first half Andre Schurrle’s shot was tipped over by the Valencia custodian Alves. Then in the second half the Valencia skipper scored the second goal for his side with an able assist from Jeremy Matthieu. Just a few minutes later Schurrle scored but the goal was ruled out by the offside law. To rub salt to the wounds Rami headed home the third for his team after a neatly taken corner from Costa.

GENK 1 [Jelle Vossen 61’] vs. CHELSEA 1 [Ramires 26’]

Ramires Scoring the Only Goal for Chelsea

This game will be remembered for its lost chances. Chelsea was poor on the pitch again and the chants about Terry’s racism inquiry did not help the cause. Chelsea got ahead with a 26^th minute goal by Ramires who played a lovely one-two before drilling the ball past the legs of Laszlo Koteles. This goal followed a succession of missed chances. Fernando Torres’s 25 yard short narrowly missed the goal. In the 35^th minute Ramires squandered a chance to double his tally when he headed wide a cross from Ashley Cole. Six minutes into the second half it looked definite that Chelsea would double their lead when a penalty was awarded to them. But David Luiz failed to convert the penalty as Koteles, the Genk custodian guessed the shot and saved it. Genk too started their quest for the equaliser, in the 54^th minute Vanden Borre came close to scoring but it was blocked by Cech. Then just past the hour mark Kevin De Bruyne played a ball to Fabien Carmus and it found its way to Vossen who scored the goal with ease. In the 74^th minute Chelsea squandered another chance when Meireles headed to a cross from Malouda straight in the lap of Koteles.      

GROUP-F

ARSENAL 0 vs. MERSEILLE 0

Arsenal Found Merseille's Defence Hard to Breach

It seemed that both these sides cancelled out each other. Though Arsenal had more shots on target but they failed to score and get past the stubborn Merseille defence. The decision to rest their star Robin Van Persie seems to have back fired. This draw will hold Merseille in good stead.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1 [Kevin Grosskreutz 7’] vs. OLYMPIACOS 0

Dortmund Got Much Deserved Points

Dortmund knew that they needed a win to have any chances of qualification into the next round. So they started aggressively and they had a chance to take a lead within the first three minutes but Ivan Perisic fired the ball over the bar. Into the 7^th minute Mario Gotze cut into the centre from the left corner and laid a perfect ball back from Grosskreutz who fired in the 25 yards shot at the back of the net. Soon after the goal Olympiacos through Kevin Mirallas counter attacked but the Borusssia goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeeler averted the danger. Though both the teams had many chances but they could not convert any of these. Thus Borussia Dortmund got their much deserved points that would keep them alive in the league.