UEFA Champion's League Match day 3 roundup

With Groups A, B, C, D in action tonight, there were 8 games to be played. Some teams needing wins to get back into the hunt while others just wanted to strengthen their position in their groups. Here is how it all panned out.

• Group A- Manchester City (England) were at home to Villarreal (Spain) while Napoli (Italy) hosted Bayern Munich (Germany)

Manchester City vs Villarreal – After 2 games, both Manchester City and Villarreal were in trouble, having picked up just the one solitary point between them, with City have lost to Bayern Munich and drawn Napoli and Villarreal having lost both their opening games to the same opponents. City made a disastrous start as Silva and De Dong combined to lose the ball which resulted in a Rossi shot. Hart got to it but it fell to Cani who slotted it home to give the visitors a 1-0 lead inside 5 minutes.

City manager Mancini made a tactical substitution just before halftime, taking off Johnson and putting on Barry and 3 minutes later City were level. Kolarov’s low cross was pushed into his own net by Marchena, who was putting in the sliding tackle. With a 3rd draw on the cards for City, manager Roberto Mancini sent in Aguero and the substitute paid dividends grabbing the winner off a Zabaleta cross in the third minute of injury time. The win puts City on 4 points and back in serious contention to qualify out of the group, whereas Villarreal have 0 points and need a miracle to get out of the group with 3 rounds to go.

Napoli vs Bayern Munich – Bayern Munich had a perfect record winning both their games till now while Napoli had taken a very good point away to Manchester City and then followed it up with a win against Villarreal to sit 2nd in the group on 4 points. Bayern also hadn’t let in a goal for a remarkable 19 hours and 7 minutes (in all competitions,including both their previous Champion’s league games), before their defense was finally breached. But not before Bayern had taken an early lead when Kroos went clear in the second minute and beat De Sanctis in goal.

Badstuber deflected a low cross into his own goal later which saw both teams enter halftime tied at 1-1. Bayern almost started the 2nd half as they did the first, having a penalty given in their favour in the 3rd minute for a very harsh handball call against Pablo Cannavaro. Gomez stepped up but De Sanctis guessed right and saved his effort. The game eventually ended 1-1 meaning Bayern lose their 100% record but still lead the group on 7 points where as Napoli remain 2nd with 5 points.

Group B- CSKA Moscow (Russia) hosted Trabzonspor (Turkey) while Inter Milan (Italy) visited Lille (France)

CSKA Moscow vs Trabzonspor -

Surprise unbeaten (win and draw) Group B leaders Trabzonspor traveled to Moscow to take on CSKA team that had only picked up one point from their opening 2 games and needed a win to stay in contention. On an icy pitch, the home team did the damage with Vagner Love standing out, The brazilian played a nifty backheel to set up Seydou Doumbi for the opener in the 29th minute and followed it up by setting up substitute Aleksandrs Cauna in the 76th minute. Doumbi then completed his brace as CSKA ran out comfortable winners by a score of 3-0. The win leaves CSKA tied on 4 points with Trabzonspor, with the russians in 2nd place based on a superior goal difference.

Lille vs Inter Milan -

Having collected 2 draws from their opening 2 games, Lille were looking for some home comforts against a rejuvenated Inter Milan, who also needed the points after already losing to Trabzonspor on opening day. The only goal of the game came in the 21st minute when Pazzini timed his run to perfection to get divert the ball home after the cut back from Zarate near the byline. That goal was enough to send Inter Milan top of the group with 6 points while Lille dropped to the bottom stuck on 2 points.

Group C- Otelul Galati (Romania) hosted Manchester United (England) while Benfica (Portugal) visited FC Basel (Switzerland)

Otelul Galati vs Manchester United -

To say Manchester United are struggling in the Champion’s League this season would not be off the mark at all. After draws in their opening 2 games including a come from behind last minute draw at home against Basel in their last game, they sat on just 2 points needing 6 points from their double header against the Romanians. Little Otelul sat bottom on 0 points having lost both their games. This was a game of 2 penalties, the first of which was awarded for a comical handball by Otelul captain Sergui Costin handled in the box in the 64th minute. The returning Wayne Rooney, who was ‘rested’ for the Liverpool game on the weekend, dispatched the penalty with ease putting United ahead.

The joy was short lived though captain Vidic was sent off for a reckless and high challenge 2 minutes later. United then had to absorb a lot of pressure from the home team but managed to hold onto their lead. Milan Perendija then saw red for the hosts in the 89th minute for a second bookable offense and the tie was sealed when Rooney won another penalty, which he duly scored from, in the 92nd minute to give Manchester United their first win of the group stages this season. United now sit 2nd in the group with 5 points, while Otelul are still to register any points.

FC Basel vs Benfica -

After almost snatching the unlikeliest of victories from 2-0 down at Old Trafford, Basel came into this game knowing a win at home would put them in a really good position to qualify out of the group. Benfica on the other hand also almost beat United in their first game but did beat Otelul in the next to be tied for top of the group before play started. The visitors looked the more lively and went deservedly in front on 20 minutes when a nice move resulted in a beautiful dummy on the edge of the box by Rodrigo, and Bruno Cesar was on hand to apply a side foot finish. Basel then shot themselves in the foot when a Oscar Cardozo’s routine free-kick went through a very weak wall and beat the goalkeeper at his near post. Benfica then held on to the 2-0 scoreline though Emerson did see red for the portuguese side. The win puts Benfica top of Group C, with 7 points while Basel drop down to 3rd with 4 points, a point behind Manchester United.

Group D- Real Madrid (Spain) entertained Lyon (France) while Ajax (Holland) traveled to Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)

Real Madrid vs Lyon-

Real Madrid had made a perfect start to the Champion’s League picking up 6 points from a possible 6 from their first 2 games, while Lyon has picked up 4 points and were 1st and 2nd at the start of play. On paper this was supposed to be a very tight game with Lyon having an excellent record against Real Madrid over the last few years. But once Madrid opened the scoring in the 18th minute through ex-Lyon front man, Karim Benzema, there was only ever going to be one winner. Ozil’s corner was flicked on by Ronaldo to a waiting Benzema at the far post.

A lead Madrid took into halftime. 2 minutes into the 2nd half, the Frenchman then rolled the ball to Khedira, who made no mistake from 12 yards out. 8 minutes later Madrid put the result beyond doubt when Ozil’s cross was diverted into his own net by Lloris. Ramos added a 4th and final goal when he was given plenty of time and space to score in the 81st minute. It was a convincing win for Jose Mourinho’s men which continues their 100% record picking up 9 points and leading the group. Lyon drop down to 3rd on goal difference staying on with 4 points.

Dinamo Zagreb vs Ajax Amsterdam-

Both team needed the 3 points to get themselves back in contention in the group with Ajax sitting on just the solitary point after 2 games though Dinamo were still worse off with 0 points, losing both their games. After a goal less first half, Ajax finally broke the deadlock in the 49th minute through Derk Boerrigter. The dutch side then sealed the win in the 90th minute when Dmitri Bulykin through ball gave Christian Eriksen a chance from inside the area which he calmly finished. The wins puts Ajax 2nd on goal difference while Dinamo look to be heading out already being bottom and yet to register any points.

Match day 4 will see the reversal of all these fixtures, with the home teams becoming the away teams and vice versa.