Real Madrid 2 - Bayern Munich 4

Real Madrid: Casillas; Salgado, Hierro, Karanka, Roberto Carlos; Geremi, Redondo, Guti (McManaman 60'); Raúl; Morientes (Ognjenovic 79'), Anelka. 4-3-1-2.

Real Madrid were caught on the hop by an impressive Bayern Munich side who demonstrated the sort of form that got them to last year's final. The Bernabeu stadium registered the best attendance for the Champions League after Madrid's 3-0 victory against Barcelona at the weekend, but the 65,000 crowd went away disappointed. Bayern scored twice in three minutes halfway through the first half, with first Scholl finding the ball at his feet to lift it past Casillas and then Effenberg striking a free kick around the wall and catching the Madrid keeper daydreaming. A minute later the home side were back in the game after Morientes headed in after Raúl's shot hit the bar, but seven minutes from the break Elber's clever back heel left Fink free to score from the edge of the penalty area. Madrid came out after half time with all guns blazing and Raúl met Roberto Carlos's cross with his head just two minutes after the restart. Raúl has been waiting for a couple of games to dedicate a goal to his new born son, and probably trying to find a viable alternative to Bebeto's cradle gesture, he stuck his thumb in his mouth as if it were a baby's dummy. Oh well, back to the drawing board on that one. Del Bosque, who had named an unchanged side from the one last Saturday, brought on McManaman for Guti, but it was Munich who went further ahead, with Paulo Sergio scoring from Scholl's corner in the 65th minute. Madrid threw everything forward, but Kahn was imperial and reminded everyone that he is still a candidate for Real Madrid's vacant goalkeeping position next season. Munich move to the top of the table on 7 points ahead of Real Madrid on 6, Dynamo Kiev on 3 and Rosenborg with one. Next week the fixtures are reversed, with Madrid travelling to Munich. Both should still qualify for the quarter finals.

Barcelona 4 - Oporto 2

Barcelona: Hesp; Frank De Boer, Abelardo; Puyol (Reiziger 46'), Guardiola, Zenden; Luis Enrique, Cocu; Figo (Ronald De Boer 86'), Kluivert, Rivaldo. 2-3-2-3.

Barcelona won back their fans with a good victory after their 3-0 defeat at Real Madrid last weekend. A week is a long time in football as they say, and this 4-2 win together with a 2-4 loss by Madrid sends the 'crisis' scuttling back on the 'puente aereo' to Madrid. Van Gaal finally made the changes that fans have been demanding for some time (and some that they haven't), bringing back Hesp, Frank De Boer and Guardiola into the starting line up for the first time in months. Bogarde dropped out of the squad at the last minute after picking up a shoulder injury in training. It wasn't all plain sailing though, as they found themselves behind as early as the fourth minute after Jardel headed in from close range. Within 20 minutes Barcelona were in front however as Rivaldo, now back on form and enjoying his football in Barcelona, scored from a well hit free kick, and then Frank De Boer celebrated his return with a powerful header from Figo's corner. Just before half time Kluivert pulled down Abelardo's long pass and, after holding off Costa, placed the ball past Hilario for Barça's third. Ten minutes from time Jardel rose between two defenders to head Clayton's cross past Hesp, and the fans hearts were in their mouths. However Rivaldo popped up in the last minute to dribble through the visitors' defence and put the result beyond doubt. Barcelona move top of the group on 7 points, one ahead of Oporto. The draw between Hertha Berlin and Sparta Prague leaves them on 2 and one points respectively, and as with Madrid's group, Barcelona and Oporto are close to going through.

Fiorentina 1 - Valencia 0

Valencia: Cañizares; Angloma, Djukic, Pellegrino, Carboni; Milla (Angulo 26'), Farinós, Gerard, Kily González; Ilie (Juan Sánchez 80'), Claudio López. 4-4-2.

Valencia lost ground in their group with this single goal defeat at Fiorentina, and now have an uphill struggle to qualify. They sorely missed club captain Mendieta, suspended for this match, with Valencia dominating much of the game in midfield but short of creative ideas in attack. The only goal came early in the first half, with ex Valencia and Real Madrid midfielder cum forward Mijatovic fooling the German referee Merck into awarding a penalty when tackled by Milla in the area. Milla was forced to go off shortly after the goal with a knee injury which could keep him out for several weeks, Angulo coming on in his place. Fiorentina decided that 1-0 was enough, and put up the shutters, with goalkeeper Toldo in superb form. The defeat leaves Valencia in third place with three points, with Fiorentina on 7 points, Manchester United on 6 and Bordeaux with one. Valencia will have to beat Fiorentina at home next week to stay in the competition.