Champions league - second phase, day 10

Inter Milan 0 - Barcelona 0

Barcelona failed to extend their record of eleven wins in a row in the competition, but they did get the point they needed at Inter Milan to virtually ensure their presence in the quarter finals. Radomir Antic's side kept their fourth clean sheet in a row, holding the Italians at bay and limiting them to a couple of isolated shots at goal, including a header just wide from Vieri with the goal at his mercy soon after the break. Referee Urs Meier did give them a helping hand though, turning down Inter's appeals for a penalty when Gabri tripped Morfeo before the break. The Catalans did have their chances as well though, with Rochemback rushing his shot and missing the target in the first half, and Kluivert getting away from Gamarra but shooting weakly at Toldo after the break. They could pay the price of a hard fought game though, with Cocu stretchered off and Puyol having to leave the field later on after clashing heads with Frank De Boer, although the good news was the reappearance of Patrick Andersson after a long lay off. (26.02.03)

Valencia 0 - Roma 3

Valencia were caught out by a Roma side who were desperate to win to stay in the competition, and now find themselves trailing their nearest rivals in the group table. Rafa Benítez expressed his concern about the return of Totti to Fabio Capello's side, and he was unfortunately proven right as the Italian international scored twice and made a third before the game was even half way through. The first came from Candela's corner when Totti got away from his marker to head past Cañizares, and he added a second on the half hour mark from Cafu's cross to silence the local crowd. Worse was to come though, and with Valencia going forward, Totti found Emerson on the counter-attack for him drill a shot past Cañizares for a third goal. Benítez had left out Aimar as he had not fully recovered from a knock, but he was forced to bring him on in the second half to try and recover some pride at least. But Roma are specialists in defending a lead, and they held on to leave the group wide open with two games remaining. (26.02.03)

Borrusia Dortmund 1 - Real Madrid 1

An injury time goal from late substitute Javier Portillo saved a draw for Real Madrid at Borussia Dortmund. Del Bosque's side had been trailing since midway through the first half when Koller got on the end of Kehl's cross to beat Casillas, and could have fallen further behind when the big Austrian striker hit the bar five minutes from the end. German keeper Lehmann and his defence had kept out everything that Madrid could throw attheim, including a double effort from Raúl early in the first half and a Roberto Carlos free kick after the break, and the manager turned to his young striker in the ninetieth minute as a last play of the cards. And for the second time in three days Portillo turned up trumps, beating Lehmann from Zidane's cross to keep his side a point above their opponents in second place in the table. AC Milan (who visit Madrid in the next match) assured themselves of top spot in the group earlier in the day, but Madrid must now be favourites to go through with them to the quarter finals. (25.02.03)

Deportivo La Coruña 1 - Basel 0

A goal in the fourth minute of the match from Diego Tristán was enough to give Deportivo La Coruña a belaboured victory over Basel. The Spanish international striker collected Héctor's cross after keeper Zuberbühler mistimed his challenge to score into an empty net from three metres out. After the six goals Depor scored at the weekend it looked like another big win was on the cards, but once again the Swiss proved a real handful and were unlucky not to be level by the break. Depor improved in the second half though, with Tristán and Makaay getting more service from their midfield, but still they could not add to their total. Irureta brought on Amavisca, then Valerón (to rousing applause) and finally Luque, who should have got a second if he had not slipped when one on one with the keeper. After a nerve-wracking last few minutes the referee put an end to proceedings, and with Manchester United winning at Juventus, Depor now have a real chance of reaching the last eight. Their visit to the Italian side in a fortnight's time will be the key. (25.02.03)

News archive