News Archive

Champions League day 1

The opening day fixture between Italian and Spanish champions Inter Milan and Barcelona promised fireworks, if only because of the first meeting between Eto'o and Ibrahimovic against their old sides. However in the end the match finished without goals, leaving both teams on a point. Barça had the better chances though, particularly in the opening minutes when Messi and Ibrahimovic both went close, and Guardiola's side were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when the ball hit Stankovic on the arm midway through the second half.

Sevilla got off to a good start in their return to the Champions League, beating Romania's Unirea Urziceni 2-0. Luis Fabiano went close a couple of times before he finally connected with Renato's cross to shoot wide of Arlauskis on the stroke of half time. And the Brazilian striker turned provider after the break, heading on Perotti's corner for Renato to head the ball in to the net. (16.09.09)

Real Madrid kicked off this season's Champions League with a 2-5 win over FC Zurich. By half time the match appeared to be over after Pellegrini's side raced in to a three goal lead, Cristian Ronaldo starting things off with a free kick, and Higuaín setting up Raúl for a record 65th Champions League goal and then scoring the third himself. But the Swiss side came back with a Margairaz penalty and an Aegerter header in a two minute period midway through the second half, and it was not until injury time that Madrid wrapped things up with a second Ronaldo free kick and a fifth goal from Guti.

Their neighbours Atlético Madrid fared badly in their opening game though, Abel Resino's team only managing to draw 0-0 against Cyprus's APOEL Nicosia. The little-fancied visitors actually had the better chances before the break, with Charalambidis in particular bringing a good save out of Sergio Asenjo and then firing another chance wide. And Atlético only really put visiting keeper Chiotis to the test with a couple of efforts from Diego Forlán after the restart. Coming after a disappointing start in the league, the home fans registered their protests after the final whistle. (15.09.09)