Champions league - second phase, day 9

Real Madrid 2 - Dortmund 1

Real Madrid came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 and keep their hopes of reaching the quarter finals alive. After six games in the competition without a win, Del Bosque's side needed a victory in order not to fall behind their rivals. However they were frustrated by a well ordered defence who did not allow the Madrid strikers to settle on the ball at all in the opening half hour. And fans started to fear the worse when Koller pulled down a through ball from Rosicky and cracked a low shot past Casillas to give the German side the lead. Figo hit the bar with a long shot and Ronaldo brought a good save out of Lehmann as Madrid pushed forward, and two minutes before the break they got the goal they were looking for, a determined Raúl slipping on the ball in the penalty area but poking a shot through Lehmann's legs whilst lying on the ground. Ten minutes in to the second half the Spaniards hit the winner, Zidane drifting past his marker with ease on the right wing and curling a long pass into the path of Ronaldo who forced his shot under Lehmann. Madrid move up to second in their group, and their fate is now in their own hands. (19.02.03)

Basel 1 - Deportivo 0

Deportivo La Coruña were the only Spanish side to lose on the return of the Champions League, and their defeat at Basel leaves them with little chance of qualifying for the quarter finals. Having only taken a point from their games against Juventus and Manchester United, Irureta was hoping for a win against a side who had not played in two months due to the winter break in Switzerland. Even so he was not taking chances and put out his best available side, although Mauro Silva, Fran, Víctor and César were out with injuries and Valerón only made the substitutes' bench. The Swiss side surprised their opponents though, and could have gone ahead early on when Murat Yakin hit the post from a free kick. Depor appeared to be coming back when Makaay missed a couple of chances at the other end, but on the half hour mark the locals took the lead, Hakan Yakin beating Juanmi on a quick breakaway. Christian Gross shut up shop after the break, leaving Depor really needing wins from all of their three remaining games to have any hope of reaching the last eight. (19.02.03)

Barcelona 3 - Inter Milan 0

Barcelona set a new record of eleven wins in a row in the competition after beating Inter Milan 3-0 in the Nou Camp. Saviola put Radomir Antic's side ahead in the seventh minute, taking Xavi's pass and shrugging off his marker to beat Toldo. The Italians pushed forward and looked like getting the equaliser, but just before the half hour mark Barça went two up when Cocu poked the ball into the net after Kluivert's volley was blocked. The rest of the half belonged to the Italians though, and Bonano made some fine saves and Reiziger cleared off the line from Di Biagio to defend the lead before half time. Things changed after the restart though, and Toldo was forced to save from Overmars and Saviola, and Cocu headed Xavi's corner against the post with the keeper beaten. Then a few minutes later Saviola got past Cannavaro again and crossed in for Kluivert to add a third, and the game was all over. Inter were left with ten men after Recoba was shown the red card for treading on Puyol's face, and a minute later Luis Enrique made his reappearance after a three month lay off. The Catalans are now virtually ensured of a place in the quarter finals. (18.02.03)

Roma 0 - Valencia 1

Valencia got their Champions League campaign back on track with a well-earned 0-1 win at Roma. After two draws in the opening games of the second phase, Rafa Benítez's team couldn't afford to lose this one, and the manager put out his strongest side for the visit to the Olympic stadium in Rome. Valencia had never won in seven previous visits to Italy, but with Roma having lost twice and with players such as Totti, Emerson, Candela and Samuel missing, this was their chance to do so. For much of the match it was a tactical battle, and Capello made all three changes with less than an hour on the clock. Scoring chances were few and far between, the best from the visitors a long shot from Rufete before the break and Cañizares only being tested by Cafu in the second half. And with everybody expecting a scoreless draw, Carew spotted keeper Pelizzoli way off his line, and from way out on the right wing squeezed a shot past him on the near post. (18.02.03)