║ UEFA Champions League 2013/2014 ║

[BayernMunich]

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[BayernMunich]

Lucescu blames Moyes for Man United start

By Shane Farrington17
Oct 1, 2013 3:14:00 PM

The Ukrainian side take on the Red Devils in the Champions League on Wednesday and their experienced tactician thinks a settled starting XI would improve United's results

David Moyes’ rotation policy is the key reason behind Manchester United’s poor start to the season, according to Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu.

United have endured their worst start to a season in 24 years and currently find themselves in 12th spot in the Premier League, with a 2-1 defeat at home to West Brom on Saturday their latest setback.

And Lucescu thinks Moyes’ decision to make a number of changes to his starting XI on such a regular basis is proving detrimental to his hopes of making a strong start to his managerial career at Old Trafford.

“There will always be a change of philosophy under a new coach and every coach needs time to work in a proper way,” Lucescu told reporters. “This is why David Moyes is facing difficulties at this stage.

“But we have analysed the United games and of course we noticed there are always changes in the squad, maybe four or five players [each time]. This rotation means the links between the players can be affected and I think turnover can cause a lot of problems sometimes. We have also discovered that here.

“The other big teams in the English championship, such as Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, are not rotating the team as much as United and maybe that is a factor.

“We know the work of Mr Moyes from Everton, though, and he is one of the strongest coaches in the Premier League. He needs some time to work with his players and let’s hope the team finds a good pattern after tomorrow night.”

Lucescu previously came up against United in 1999 during his spell at Inter, and the 68-year-old has praised the squad of players at Old Trafford back then.

“Fourteen years ago I played against United and Ferguson with Inter Milan and I have good memories of this game,” he added. "We scored first and United equalised to go through and then won the Champions League.

“The team then was a machine for winning trophies. They had great players such as Giggs and Beckham and played and won against the likes of Inter, Juventus and Bayern Munich.”

Lucescu also revealed his side are relishing facing one of the biggest sides in European football, adding: “It will like a cauldron and support will be very important. Champions League games are always a celebration for the city.

“But ever since I have been the coach of Shakhtar, we haven’t faced the four top European teams – Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. We face United tomorrow, so hopefully we have a chance to play against the others in the future.

“We must show a very good performance because they are a very tough opponent. We will pick our most experienced players. Maybe tomorrow, both coaches will choose the most experienced players to play.

“We have a different team from last season. It is one thing to lose one player and then lose a group of players, but we have lost a group. But we can still show our qualities against United and win.”

 

[BayernMunich]

Moyes: Shakhtar will be a tough game for United

By Asheesh Gohil18
Oct 1, 2013 11:51:00 AM

The Scot concedes the Red Devils are likely to face a stern test when they travel to Ukraine and says he will be fielding a strong starting line-up

Manchester United manager David Moyes has warned his side are in for a tough night when they face Shakhtar Donetsk in Wednesday's Champions League group game.

The Red Devils travel to Ukraine on the back of two consecutive Premier League defeats following West Brom’s 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Saturday – their worst start to a campaign for 24 years.

Despite winning their first Group A game 4-2 against Bayer Leverkusen, Moyes believes qualification will be harder than expected and says he will field a very competitive side at the Donbass Arena.

"I think we need to go there with a strong team. Going to Ukraine is tough because Donetsk have a good record," Moyes told The Mirror.

"[The Champions League] has become a harder competition to win with the spending power of some of the big teams in other countries.

"The competition has become much more open than it was in years gone by. It’s been hard for Manchester
United as well and progress is not something that is guaranteed."

United failed to progress from their group two seasons ago, and Moyes wants to ensure nothing is taken for granted this time round.

Meanwhile, midfielder Anderson has offered his support to the manager, but concedes the club should be doing better this season.

"Everyone knows United have great players and even though the situation is not easy, we have to look ahead and think positive," he said.

"We want to win every competition we are involved in, so we need to focus now and move onto the next game. We have to show character."

 

[BayernMunich]

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[BayernMunich]

I'm not finished, says Drogba

By Enis Koylu30
Oct 2, 2013 3:45:00 PM

The 35-year-old says he came back to European football to show that he can still compete in the Champions League after his brief spell in China

Didier Drogba has explained that his January move to Galatasaray was motivated by the desire to play Champions League football once more.

The Ivorian legend left Chelsea for China in the summer of 2012 after lifting European football's premier competition but returned to European football in January this year.

Galatasaray made it to the quarter-finals of last season's tournament and Drogba is eager to show that he can still compete at the top level.

"I was in China and I felt that I still had something to say in European football," the 35-year-old told Tuttosport.

"I wasn't finished. I was full of energy and I wanted to defend the title I won with Chelsea. I felt the need to prove myself in the Champions League.

"Age is nothing. It's just a number. Everything depends on your quality, your experience and your physical condition.

"I feel very good after all these years and I can say that I have improved both technically and mentally."

Galatasaray face Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, with kick-off scheduled for 20:45CET.

 

[BayernMunich]

UEFA Champions League: Zenit 0 - 0 Austria Wien

Austria Wien denied by ten-man Zenit

Published: Tuesday 1 October 2013, 20.25CET

Both sides are still seeking a first Group G win after a stalemate in which Zenit had midfielder Axel Witsel sent off a minute before half-time.

by Richard van Poortvliet
from Stadion Petrovski

Ten-man FC Zenit and FK Austria Wien gained their first points in UEFA Champions League Group G as they played out a goalless draw in St Petersburg.

Despite the dismissal of Axel Witsel for a challenge on Florian Mader a minute before the break, the home side continued to dominate possession for long periods. Austria Wien, excellently marshalled throughout by captain and defender Manuel Ortlechner, grew in confidence as the second half wore on but created little of note themselves.

Buoyed by a run of five successive wins on the domestic front, Luciano Spalletti's Zenit looked to make a statement from the off. They were controlling both territory and the ball, and went close to opening the scoring in the 12th minute when Hulk's shot from outside the penalty area hit a post.

Aleksandr Kerzhakov became the all-time leading scorer in the Russian top flight at the weekend when he registered his 208th goal in a 4-2 defeat of FC Spartak Moskva, and the forward had an opportunity to further enhance his credentials before the interval. However, having been put through down the left by Hulk, the 30-year-old miscued his strike with just Heinz Lindner to beat.

Nenad Bjelica's team, beaten in the Austrian Cup a week ago by third-tier opposition, had to wait until the 41st minute for their first real moment of danger, as Philipp Hosiner's right-footed drive skimmed the upright. There was one more twist to what was an action-packed first half when, a minute before the whistle, Witsel was shown a straight red card for a tackle on Mader.

The visitors took time to make their numerical advantage count in the second period, though Hosiner threatened again soon after the hour when his effort was blocked by Nicolas Lombaerts. As the Violets became more adventurous, gaps appeared in their defence, openings which Zenit were more than happy to try to exploit. Danny was proving a constant menace down the left flank, yet too often the final ball let the Premier-Liga leaders down.

Austria Wien continued to defend stoically, with Ortlechner putting in a man-of-the-match performance, and in the end the debutants were fully deserving of their first UEFA Champions League point.

 

[BayernMunich]

UEFA Champions League: Porto 1 Atletico Madrid 2
2 October 2013

Atletico Madrid ended Porto's eight-match unbeaten run at home in the UEFA Champions League with a 2-1 win on Tuesday.

The Portuguese champions found it difficult to get through their visitors’ defence for much of the match, but Jackson Martinez did give them the lead with an excellent header.

Chelsea were the last side to defeat Porto at Estadio Dragao in November 2009 and that run came to an end in the second half as Diego Godin and Arda Turan hit the goals.

The hosts made just two changes from their weekend 1-0 win over Vitoria Guimaraes as Lica and Juan Fernando Quintero dropped to the bench in favour of the more experienced Steven Defour and Silvestre Varela.

Atletico picked up their first league victory over Real Madrid since 1999 at the weekend and Diego Simeone unsurprisingly kept the team as similar as possible.

Nevertheless, Koke and the suspended Diego Costa came out of the starting XI, with Raul Garcia and Leo Baptistao taking their respective places.

The first 15 minutes saw Porto struggle to break Atletico down in open play, but all Paulo Fonseca’s side needed was a free-kick, and in the 16th minute they got their breakthrough.

Tiago fouled Josue on the left and the 23-year-old curled an inviting delivery into the area which Martinez knocked past Thibaut Courtois with a diving header, holding off Godin in the process.

Atletico's best opportunity of the half came in the final five minutes, but they needed a helping hand as Porto goalkeeper Helton flapped at Gabi's corner and knocked it on to the crossbar.

Simeone’s team looked significantly more motivated at the beginning of the second period and eight minutes in Luis Filipe narrowly missed the target with a shot from 30 yards out.

After their encouraging start, Atletico equalised in the 58th minute as Godin atoned for his role in Martinez’s opener.

Once again a free-kick was integral and the Uruguayan rose highest to nod Gabi’s cross past Helton, who needlessly rushed out in an attempt to punch the initial delivery away.

A few seconds after replacing Lucho Gonzalez, Quintero fired a free-kick just past Courtois’ left-hand post as Fonseca looked to make his side more dynamic in attack.

Helton denied Garcia in the 76th minute, but he could not nothing to prevent Arda with just four minutes of normal time remaining.

Gabi passed his free-kick through the Porto wall and the Turkey international smashed his effort past Helton from close range, completing Atletico's first away win against Portuguese opposition in eight attempts.

 

[BayernMunich]

UEFA Champions League: Steaua Bucharest 0 Chelsea 4
2 October 2013

Chelsea got off the mark in this season's UEFA Champions League with a comfortable 4-0 win over Steaua Bucharest in Romania on Tuesday.

Ramires gave Jose Mourinho's side the lead after 19 minutes before Daniel Georgievski's own goal just before half-time gave them breathing space.

The Brazilian then netted his second 10 minutes into the second period before Frank Lampard rounded off the scoring in the final minute to give Chelsea their first points in Group E.

Steaua coach Laurentiu Reghecampf made just one change from Saturday's 3-0 win over Poli Timisoara, with Adrian Popa replacing Gabriel Iancu.

Meanwhile, Mourinho made two alterations to the side that drew 1-1 with Tottenham as Juan Mata and Andre Schurrle came in for John Obi Mikel and Eden Hazard.

The two replacements combined in the fourth minute as Mata found Schurrle inside the area, but his effort was cleared off the line by a covering defender.

However, the visitors were dealt a blow in the 10th minute when Fernando Torres was forced off with what appeared to be a knee injury, to be replaced by Samuel Eto'o.

The early change did little to upset Chelsea, as 10 minutes later Ramires put them in front.

Schurrle broke free down the left before finding Eto'o, whose scuffed effort ran perfectly for the Brazilian to prod home from six yards.

On the half hour, the visitors threatened again, Eto'o and Mata combining on the edge of the box before the latter's weak shot was straight at Ciprian Tatarusanu.

Chelsea were looking increasingly dangerous on the counter, and they duly doubled their advantage a minute before half-time with another rapid break.

Eto'o surged forward before cutting in from the left, with Tatarusanu parrying his effort straight into the path of the onrushing Georgievski, who could do little to avoid diverting the ball into the empty net.

Ten minutes after the break, Ramires got his second and Chelsea's third to put the visitors in total control.

Schurrle turned past his man brilliantly down the left before slipping the ball inside to Oscar, who fed Ramires, the Brazilian taking a touch before firing beyond Tatarusanu.

It was almost a fourth three minutes later, Mata striking the post after collecting Oscar's backheel inside the box.

The hosts responded immediately with their best effort of the game, Cech back-pedalling sharply to tip over Cristian Tanase's chip.

Chelsea were on the offensive again, Schurrle wasting two presentable chances midway through the half as the game became stretched.

There were some signs of life from the hosts in the 73rd minute, Nicolae Stanciu being denied by Cech before blazing the rebound over the bar.

But in the final minute, substitute Willian fed Lampard on the edge of the box, who swept the ball in off the left-hand post to complete an excellent night for Chelsea.

 

[BayernMunich]

UEFA Champions League: Basel 0 Schalke 1
2 October 2013

Julian Draxler's stunning second-half strike was enough to give Schalke a 1-0 win over Basel in Group E of the UEFA Champions League.

Marco Streller wasted several good opportunities for the hosts and Max Meyer hit the crossbar before Draxler lashed home from the edge of the area just after half-time in a game that was delayed early in the first half due to a Greenpeace protest against Gazprom, sponsors of the competition and of the German side.

The win leaves Jens Keller's side top of the group, having not lost away in Europe in 12 games.

Basel's Fabian Schar managed to overcome a knee problem in time to receive a place in the starting line-up, while Taulant Xhaka was preferred ahead of Giovanni Sio.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Christian Fuchs and Jermaine Jones, were all sidelined for the visitors, although Draxler managed to shake off a knee injury.

Both sides enjoyed a winning start to their Champions League campaigns and came into this contest knowing that another victory would strengthen their position in Group E.

Everyone in the stadium was left bemused, however, when the game was halted within the first few minutes after Greenpeace activists abseiled from the roof to unveil a banner criticising Champions League sponsor Gazprom.

When the action restarted after a break of just over five minutes, Schalke soon set about carving out the first opportunity, with Kevin-Prince Boateng firing wide after just over 10 minutes.

The disruption to the game clearly impacted on the rhythm of both sides, with chances few and far between during the opening exchanges.

Basel's best opportunity of the first period came just after the half-hour mark when Streller controlled in the box before attempting an acrobatic effort that forced Timo Hildebrand into a smart save.

Murat Yakin's Basel side began to settle, with Mohamed Salah looking particularly lively, as the hosts continued to look for a breakthrough.

Schalke were dealt a blow just before half-time when winger Jefferson Farfan limped off to be replaced by Adam Szalai.

Streller then headed a whipped Kay Voser cross just past the post.

The visitors responded well after the break and were unlucky not to be ahead when Draxler's teasing cross was only headed as far as Meyer, who sent a crashing strike back off the bar.

Draxler was at the centre of proceedings when Schalke took the lead just a couple of minutes later. A Dennis Aogo corner found its way to the 20-year-old on the edge of the box, who rifled a sweetly-struck half-volley past a despairing Yann Sommer.

Schalke predictably began to look confident in the middle of the park, although Salah continued to pose a threat to the visitors' defence.

Salah was on hand 15 minutes from time to force Hildebrand to palm a stinging effort around the post.

Yakin threw on Matias Delgado and David Degen in an attempt to unlock the Schalke defence, but the hosts continued to threaten.

Draxler nearly doubled his tally late on, but could only fire over after a good run down the left-hand side, as Keller's side held onto a well-earned win.

 

[BayernMunich]

UEFA Champions League: Borussia Dortmund 3 Marseille 0
2 October 2013

Borussia Dortmund picked up their first points of this season's UEFA Champions League with a 3-0 win against Marseille on Tuesday.

Robert Lewandowski with a double and Marco Reus were the men on target as Dortmund - beaten finalists last term - got their first-ever win in the competition against the French side.

Poland international Lewandowski put the finishing touches to a well-worked team goal after 19 minutes before Reus' free-kick found its way into the back of the net seven minutes after the break.

Lewandowski then added a third from the spot late on to wrap up the victory.

The home side - who were watched by coach Jurgen Klopp from the stands as he served a one-match touchline ban for his protests in the defeat against Napoli - were without goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller following a red card in the Group F opener, while Eric Durm replaced the injured Marcel Schmelzer.

Marseille were once again without striker Andre-Pierre Gignac, who has been sidelined with a toe injury.

Both sides came into the game off the back of domestic wins at the weekend – against Lorient and Freiburg respectively - but it was Dortmund who began the brighter, with Reus firing narrowly over in the second minute before forcing a save from Steve Mandanda.

However, Marseille had strong claims for a penalty turned down shortly afterwards when Saber Khelifa went down under a challenge from Durm.

Dortmund eventually went ahead through a goal of the highest quality after 19 minutes, with Lewandowski netting his third goal in four days.

After a quick break, Reus played in Henrikh Mkhitaryan. He fired across goal to Durm, who in turn put the ball on a plate for the Pole to cap off a wonderfully worked team goal.

While Dortmund continued to enjoy plenty of possession, they struggled to create too many further clear-cut chances before the break.

However, they were two goals ahead seven minutes after the interval after a Reus free-kick forced Mandanda into a costly error.

The visitors' goalkeeper flapped at the inswinging delivery and, while he tried desperately to claw the ball out, his efforts proved futile as the ball crept in and Dortmund doubled their lead.

Mandanda then went some way to atoning for his error, producing a smart stop to deny Durm from close range after 58 minutes.

But Lewandowski made it three 10 minutes from time from the penalty spot after Reus had been pulled down by Khelifa in the area to cap off a comfortable victory for Klopp's men.

 

[BayernMunich]

UEFA Champions League: Arsenal 2 Napoli 0
2 October 2013

Arsene Wenger celebrated 17 years in charge of Arsenal as his side cruised to a 2-0 victory over Napoli in the UEFA Champions League.

The Premier League leaders were in fine form as a first Arsenal goal for Mesut Ozil and an Olivier Giroud strike settled the first professional meeting between the two sides in the Group F fixture.

Arsenal had the Emirates Stadium faithful on their feet as early as the eighth minute when Ozil, who joined from Real Madrid on deadline day, slotted home a terrific side-footed effort from Aaron Ramsey's cross.

Soon after Arsenal had doubled the lead with Ozil once again influential as his lay-off gave Giroud a simple tap-in.

The hosts continued their dominance in the second half and could have made it three had Tomas Rosicky connected with a Giroud assist shortly after the restart.

Wenger – who was appointed Arsenal manager on September 30 back in 1996 - welcomed back Rosicky from a thigh injury to replace Serge Gnabry, while Mikel Arteta came in as Jack Wilshere was rested.

Gonzalo Higuain - who was a transfer-window target for Wenger's side - was unable to shake off a calf injury in time to feature for Napoli.

Arsenal were at their free-flowing best right from the off and were soon two goals ahead.

The first came in just the eighth minute when Ramsey stormed down the right-hand side and cut back for Ozil on the edge of the box and the German hit a sublime first-time shot that nestled in the corner.

And the home fans celebrated a second after quarter of an hour. Giroud flicked to Ozil in the box and he stormed to the byline before laying back for the Frenchman to tap home from close range.

Napoli almost responded when Miguel Britos made a late run into the box from a Lorenzo Insigne corner and headed wide when unmarked.

Arsenal continued to dominate with Ozil and Ramsey producing a midfield masterclass. The latter twice saw shots blocked in the area by Raul Albiol.

The home side's lead was almost extended immediately after the restart when Giroud raced clear on the right and fed into the path of Rosicky six yards from goal, but he failed to make good contact when under pressure from Britos.

Napoli tried to come back into the contest and Insigne twice saw efforts go just wide, while Gokhan Inler blazed harmlessly over with 20 minutes remaining.

Laurent Koscielny then had a wonderful opportunity to add a third when he met Arteta's flick but from point-blank range he fired straight at Pepe Reina.

But Koscielny's miss made no difference to the final score as Arsenal moved to the top of the group. Their next Champions League fixture is at home to Borussia Dortmund on October 22.

 

[BayernMunich]

UEFA Champions League: Ajax 1 Milan 1
2 October 2013

Ajax brought a run of three successive defeats in the UEFA Champions League to an end as they drew 1-1 with Milan in Amsterdam.

The Eredivisie side dominated large parts of the Group H encounter on Tuesday and were unlucky not to have taken all three points after scoring in the 90th minute, but a stoppage time penalty from Mario Balotelli earned the visitors a point.

Stefano Denswil rose to head home a Lasse Schone corner in the final minute of normal time, but Balotelli's even later spot-kick snatched a point for the Serie A side.

Kolbeinn Sigthorsson and Viktor Fischer both went close for the hosts early but they failed to stretch Christian Abbiati in the Milan goal.

Both teams came into the clash off the back of league victories at the weekend, however there were still changes from those games.

Daley Blind and Sigthorsson came in for the hosts, while Massimiliano Allegri made three changes with Balotelli, Ignazio Abate and Riccardo Montolivo all starting.

Frank de Boer's side began the game in the ascendancy as they controlled possession and went closest to opening the scoring.

Sigthorsson was the first to test Abbiati in the fifth minute after receiving a pass from Lerin Duarte, the Iceland international fired low towards the bottom corner but the goalkeeper saved well with his legs.

Milan were struggling to get hold of the ball and they were let off again 13 minutes later as Fischer sent a drive just wide of Abbiati's left-hand post.

The Dane received the ball from Blind after neat work from the full-back, but his effort never worried the Milan goal.

Niklas Moisander should have opened the scoring with nine minutes of the half remaining, however he fired over the bar after Milan had failed to clear a corner properly.

Montolivo had the first chance after the break but he could not break the deadlock as he forced Cillessen into his first save of the match. The midfielder met a low pull-back from Kevin Constant but his shot was punched away by the Dutch goalkeeper.

Ajax were far from out of the game though and Abbiati was again called into action just before the hour. Sigthorsson got himself in front of Abate to meet a Fischer cross but he headed straight at Abbiati who did not have to move to make the save.

Balotelli had been anonymous in attack for the visitors but he burst into life in the 63rd minute as he saw a curling crash against the crossbar.

The striker cut inside Moisander on the left-hand side of the penalty area and fired a shot that looked destined for the top corner, but Cillessen got his fingertips to it and turned it onto the bar.

Both sides pushed for a late winner and the hosts thought they had one when Denswil evaded the Milan defenders to power a header home from six yards out.

However, Balotelli was brought down inside the penalty area in stoppage time by Mike van der Hoorn and the striker made no mistake from the spot, sending Cillessen the wrong way, to seal a point.

 

[BayernMunich]

UEFA Champions League: Celtic 0 Barcelona 1
2 October 2013

A second-half header from Cesc Fabregas gave Barcelona a 1-0 victory in a fiery UEFA Champions League clash against 10-man Celtic on Tuesday.

Fabregas found the net 14 minutes from time as the Liga champions took advantage after Scott Brown had been sent off in controversial circumstances just before the hour mark.

Celtic - who overcame Barcelona 2-1 in last season's competition - created the better chances for much of the encounter, but they were left to rue Brown's dismissal, which came following a clash with Neymar.

They were ultimately made to pay as former Arsenal man Fabregas struck to end their hopes of a repeat of last year's heroics.

Celtic made just one change to the side that beat Kilmarnock 5-2 at the weekend, midfielder Mikael Lustig coming in for Teemu Pukki.

The visitors, meanwhile, had to cope without talisman Lionel Messi, who missed out due to a hamstring injury, with Neymar replacing him at the head of the attack. Xavi came back into the side in place of Alexis Sanchez.

Barcelona dictated possession in the early stages, but it was Celtic who created the game's first chance, Georgios Samaras forcing a near-post save from Victor Valdes after being played through by Anthony Stokes.

Despite their dominance, it took Barca 16 minutes to craft their first opportunity as Neymar fired wide from range.

Andres Iniesta and Adriano then both saw chances go begging, although Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster still had little to do in the first half as Gerardo Martino's men laboured to try and find a way through.

However, the Catalan club went close to taking the lead five minutes before the break when Neymar turned Dani Alves’ right-wing cross narrowly wide of the post.

The hosts made the better start to the second half as they pushed to try and take an unlikely lead, but their hopes were dealt a huge blow when midfielder Brown was sent off in the 59th minute for appearing to kick Neymar in the back after the 28-year-old had brought down the Brazilian following his surging run into the Celtic half.

Barcelona unsurprisingly seized control once again from there as they looked to make their numerical advantage count.

Still, Celtic defended resolutely, with Barca reduced to speculative efforts from Marc Bartra and Fabregas.

Neil Lennon's men did look dangerous on the break despite Brown's dismissal and James Forrest forced a fine diving save from Valdes after 73 minutes before Charlie Mulgrew headed wide from the resulting corner.

But the hosts’ strong resistance was finally broken by a superb Barcelona counter-attack a few moments later as Fabregas met substitute Alexis' pin-point cross with an excellent header that looped beyond Forster and into the net.

Forster produced a fine double save to deny Neymar and Alexis in quick succession, before again preventing Neymar from adding a second, as one proved to be enough for Martino's men.

 

[Postiga]

thanks for the updates.

 

[BayernMunich]

UEFA Champions League: CSKA Moscow 3 Viktoria Plzen 2
3 October 2013

CSKA Moscow came from behind to claim their first win of this season's UEFA Champions League as they beat Group D rivals Viktoria Plzen 3-2.

An early goal from defender Frantisek Rajtoral gave Plzen a surprise lead in a game played at the Stadion Petrovski because of issues with the pitch at the Arena Khimki.

Plzen created a number of chances as they looked to claim the spoils in the first competitive meeting between the two sides, but it was CSKA who secured all three points.

Zoran Tosic and Keisuke Honda both netted and an own goal from Radim Reznik allowed CSKA to establish a 3-1 lead before Marek Bakos pulled one back late on.

Ahmed Musa also struck the post as CSKA produced a vibrant display to suggest that they have an outside chance of progressing from a group that contains Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

CSKA - missing the likes of Alan Dzagoev and Seydou Doumbia through injury - made two changes to the side defeated 2-0 by Terek Grozny in domestic competition last Saturday, Georgi Schennikov replacing Vasili Berezutski in defence, while Rasmus Elm took the place of Georgi Milanov in the midfield.

Visiting manager Pavel Vrba also elected to rotate his squad, with Jan Kovarik, Daniel Kolar and Bakos all coming into the side.

Plzen took the lead with the first real chance of the game after four minutes, Rajtoral slotting home at the far post after Milan Petrzela's effort had been deflected into his path by Sergei Ignashevich.

The Czech side came close to doubling their advantage on 14 minutes when attacking midfielder Kolar headed wide after CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev had made the ill-advised decision to come out and try and claim a high ball into the box.

Some heroic defending from Pontus Wernbloom denied Vrba's men the chance to extend their advantage. The CSKA midfielder cleared Bakos' shot off the line at the end of a superb counter-attack from Plzen.

CSKA appeared to gain confidence following that let-off and duly equalised as Tosic's deflected strike squirmed past Matus Kozacik after the winger had collected Musa's square pass.

The hosts began to dictate play following their leveller, with Honda looking dangerous as the Russian side began to pick apart the Plzen defence.

And it was Honda who put CSKA ahead just before the half-hour mark, the Japan international lofting a composed finish over Kozacik after being played through by Tosic.

Both sides traded chances in the closing stages of the first half as Steven Zuber twice went close for CSKA before Rajtoral tested Akinfeev in injury time.

CSKA almost killed the game off four minutes into the second half when Musa struck the woodwork after latching on to Kirill Nababkin's near-post cross.

Plzen remained a dangerous attacking threat, though, and they were denied by a goal-line clearance for the second time as Honda showed great awareness to prevent Kolar from finding the net.

The visitors were made to pay for their profligacy 12 minutes from time as defender Reznik's attempted backpass went under Kozacik's foot and into the net.

Bakos pulled one back with a close-range header, but it came too late for Plzen to mount a comeback.

 

[BayernMunich]

UEFA Champions League: Shakhtar Donetsk 1 Manchester United 1
3 October 2013

Ryan Giggs made history by breaking the UEFA Champions League appearance record in Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk.

Danny Welbeck gave United the lead in the 18th minute before Taison equalised with 14 minutes remaining, but the game was more notable for Giggs' landmark appearance.

The Welshman replaced Marouane Fellaini in the 66th minute to take him to 145 appearances in the competition, one more than Raul.

Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu made two changes from Saturday's 2-2 draw with Metalurh Donetsk, Olexandr Kucher and Luiz Adriano coming in for Sergey Krivtsov and Facundo Ferreyra.

Lucescu had stated before the game that he felt David Moyes was struggling because he had not yet found his best starting XI, and again the United manager made wholesale changes from the home defeat against West Brom at the weekend.

Only goalkeeper David de Gea and Michael Carrick kept their place from Saturday, with Wayne Rooney missing out altogether with a shin injury picked up in training the day before.

After a quiet opening, Robin van Persie had the first sight of goal in the eighth minute, bringing down Tom Cleverley's pass before firing high and wide from 20 yards.

There was little further goalmouth action until the visitors took the lead in the 18th minute when Fellaini drove to the byline before cutting the ball back in search of Welbeck.

Yaroslav Rakitskiy was in position to intercept but the defender slipped as he stuck out a leg, allowing the ball to run for Welbeck to sweep beyond Andriy Pyatov from six yards.

The home side were struggling to create anything going forward and did not manage an effort on target until the 39th minute when Alex Teixeira's weak shot from the edge of the box was straight at De Gea.

The second half followed a similar pattern to that of the first, Rakitskiy's wayward free-kick from 35 yards in the 50th minute representing Shakhtar's only notable effort of the opening exchanges.

Van Persie had a rare sight of goal in the 71st minute, turning on the ball inside the area before seeing his low effort blocked by the covering Rakitskiy.

Five minutes later, the hosts equalised out of nothing.

Rakitskiy broke down the left and although Nemanja Vidic intercepted his cut back, the ball fell perfectly for Taison to smash the ball beyond De Gea from 10 yards.

Taison came close to a winner five minutes from time as his deflected drive was well tipped over by the alert De Gea at his near post.

The result sees both teams move to four points from two games in Group A.

 

[BayernMunich]

UEFA Champions League: Manchester City 1 Bayern Munich 3
3 October 2013

Bayern Munich secured a club record seventh UEFA Champions League victory in a row with a 3-1 win over Manchester City on Wednesday.

Franck Ribery put the reigning champions ahead seven minutes in before Thomas Muller made it two after the interval.

A first defeat at home for Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini was confirmed when the impressive Arjen Robben got in on the act just before the hour mark, with Alvaro Negredo grabbing the hosts' consolation late on prior to Jerome Boateng's dismissal.

Micah Richards started for the first time under Pellegrini, while the Chilean was also able to name Sergio Aguero in his starting XI after the Argentina international missed Saturday's Premier League defeat to Aston Villa.

David Silva was among the substitutes following his recovery from a thigh injury.

Pep Guardiola opted to play Muller in an advanced role, replacing Mario Mandzukic, while Mario Gotze was named on the bench once more as he continues his return to full fitness following the ankle injury that he sustained in the UEFA Super Cup.

David Alaba made his 25th appearance in the Champions League, more than any other Austrian player in the competition's history.

Ribery caught City cold early on in the Group D clash as he edged the visitors ahead with a stunning long-range strike.

The France international cut in from the left wing to beat Joe Hart at his near post and set the tone at the Etihad Stadium.

Toni Kroos saw an effort deflected just wide 13 minutes later as Bayern continued to control proceedings.

Robben went close on the half-hour mark as he comfortably went past Matija Nastasic and fired across goal, with Muller unable to get a touch and divert it home.

Bayern enjoyed 67 per cent possession in the first half but it was the home side who began brighter after the interval, keeping the ball well without endangering Manuel Neuer's goal.

Robben threatened again eight minutes into the half, with the Dutchman's effort from outside the area deflecting just wide of Hart's right-hand post.

Muller doubled Bayern's lead five minutes short of the hour mark after evading Gael Clichy and calmly controlling a long ball from Dante.

With Hart looming, the Germany international rounded the City goalkeeper and tapped home to double the visitors' lead.

Bayern were three ahead within the hour as Robben capped a fine display with a deserved goal.

After a quick counter, Robben twisted Nastasic inside out before firing past Hart at his near post to put the Bundesliga champions out of sight.

Substitute Negredo pulled a goal back for the home side after being introduced for Edin Dzeko, the close-season signing turning neatly inside the area before curling an effort past Neuer.

Boateng saw red for a foul on Yaya Toure four minutes from time, with substitute Silva striking the crossbar from the subsequent free-kick.

 

[BayernMunich]

UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid 4 Copenhagen 0
3 October 2013

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to take his UEFA Champions League tally to five for the season as Real Madrid beat Copenhagen 4-0.

Copenhagen have endured a disastrous start to their domestic season and never looked like picking up only their second ever away win in the Champions League as Ronaldo opened the scoring after 21 minutes at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

The Portugal star - who scored a hat-trick at Galatasaray on matchday one - added another in the second half after a magnificent piece of skill from Angel Di Maria.

And Argentine winger Di Maria rounded off the win with a double of his own in the final 20 minutes to put Real in firm control of Group B with six points from two games.

The Spanish giants suffered a La Liga derby defeat to Atletico Madrid for the first time since 1999 last Saturday and manager Carlo Ancelotti responded by making five changes.

Fabio Coentrao, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa, Isco and Diego Lopez dropped to the bench as Marcelo, Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Luka Modric and Iker Casillas started, with the latter making his 129th Champions League appearance.

Copenhagen boss Stale Solbakken made three alterations from their own weekend defeat to Brondby, with Ragnar Sigurdsson, Rurik Gislason and Youssef Toutouh replacing Georg Margreitter, Cristian Bolanos and Fanendo Adi.

The visitors did a good job of keeping Real at bay in the opening stages, but the Spanish side eventually made the breakthrough in the 21st minute.

Marcelo’s deep cross evaded goalkeeper Johan Wiland, giving Ronaldo an easy headed finish at the back post for his first of the game.

Di Maria then wasted two great chances to double the lead and Copenhagen almost capitalised on the hosts’ profligacy.

Four minutes before the break Casillas failed to catch a corner, allowing Nicolai Jorgensen to head goalwards, but luckily for Real the ball hit the crossbar before dropping to Modric who cleared.

Ronaldo went close to getting his second in the 64th minute when his curling free-kick from the edge of the area landed on top of the net, but he was not to be denied a minute later.

Di Maria got to the byline to produce a cross with an outrageous piece of skill, and Ronaldo burst in front of his marker to head home again.

And with 19 minutes to play, Di Maria made amends for his first-half misses with a wonderful finish as he cut in from the right and hammered a shot past the helpless Wiland.

Real saw out the final stages with consummate ease and then scored a fourth for good measure.

Di Maria pounced on a loose ball, held off his marker before smashing a low effort into the bottom corner from just inside the area, rounding off an eye-catching display from Ancelotti's men.

 

[BayernMunich]

UEFA Champions League: Bayer Leverkusen 2 Real Sociedad 1
3 October 2013

Substitute Jens Hegeler's stoppage-time free-kick earned Bayer Leverkusen a 2-1 UEFA Champions League win over Real Sociedad on Wednesday.

The midfielder, who had been brought on six minutes from time, curled home from distance as the Bundesliga outfit put their 4-2 opening-game defeat to Manchester United behind them.

Simon Rolfes had put the hosts ahead just before the break but Carlos Vela's rebound from his own saved penalty levelled the scores in the second half.

And the Primeira Liga side saw their hopes of a first point in Group A stolen away by Hegeler late on as they followed up their loss to Shakhtar Donetsk with another defeat.

There was just one change from the Leverkusen side that beat Hannover 2-0 last weekend, with Philipp Wollscheid replacing Emir Spahic at the back.

Midfielder Lars Bender was included despite limping off with an ankle injury on Leverkusen's last outing.

Sociedad manager Jagoba Arrasate made four changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Sevilla on Saturday, with Jose Angel Valdes, Gonzalo Castro, Ruben Pardo and Imanol Agirretxe all missing out.

Experienced midfield pairing Gorka Elustondo and David Zurutuza were both drafted in, as were defender Alberto De La Bella and striker Haris Seferovic.

The home side started brightly and the game's first opportunity fell to the in-form Stefan Kiessling, who has five goals in seven Bundesliga games this season, but he fired straight at Claudio Bravo after going through one-on-one.

Leverkusen almost went ahead in the 20th minute when Rolfes' strike deflected off Sidney Sam and forced a smart stop from Bravo.

Sociedad created some chances of their own, though, and 12 minutes before the break Elustondo's superb effort was well kept out by Bernd Leno.

But it was Sami Hyypia's men who took the advantage into the interval, Rolfes firing home after his header from Sam's free-kick had been parried by the goalkeeper on the stroke of half-time.

Their lead lasted less than 10 minutes into the second half, as Roberto Hilbert chopped down Vela and the Mexican stepped up to take the spot-kick, which he tucked away at the second attempt after Leno saved the initial effort.

But, after weathering the storm, it was the hosts who prevailed when Hegeler found the top corner with a stunning last-gasp free-kick that marked his side's 100th goal in the competition.

 

[BayernMunich]

UEFA Champions League: Juventus 2 Galatasaray 2
3 October 2013

Roberto Mancini enjoyed an impressive start to his Galatasaray career thanks to a 2-2 draw away to Juventus in the UEFA Champions League.

Didier Drogba put Galatasaray in front before late goals from Arturo Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella looked to have given Juventus all three points.

Umut Bulut's dramatic leveller, though, ensured that Mancini's tenure began with an encouraging performance and result in Turin.

Antonio Conte made the surprising decision to leave Fernando Llorente on the bench as Stephan Lichtsteiner, Andrea Pirlo and Mirko Vucinic all came into the starting XI.

Mancini was in the dugout against his boyhood club after joining Turkish giants Galatasaray on a three-year deal on Monday. The former Manchester City boss wasted no time in making changes, with six players coming into the first team, including Albert Riera and Felipe Melo.

Mancini went with a five-man midfield after Galatasaray lost 6-1 to Real Madrid in their first Group B match and it was causing plenty of problems for Juventus, who had to use the long ball to try and break through the organised visitors' defence.

Drogba gave the visitors the lead in the 36th minute when a poor back pass from Leonardo Bonucci left Gianluigi Buffon stranded and the former Chelsea striker nipped in to place the ball into the back of an empty net.

On the stroke of half-time, Quagliarella could have scored when he found space at the near post but Fernando Muslera was alert to thwart the danger.

Juventus continued to struggle in the second half and Conte introduced Llorente as he looked to find a way back into the game.

Conte's men got their reward in the 78th minute when Quagliarella was brought down by Nordin Amrabat and Vidal coolly stepped up before smashing the resulting penalty into the top corner to give Muslera no chance.

Galatasaray lost their momentum and the home side capitalised when Quagliarella got on the end of a perfectly-weighted Pirlo cross to head home in the 87th minute.

With the home crowd still celebrating Quagliarella's goal, Galatasaray struck back immediately and pulled a goal back from the kick off.

Drogba's flick on was met by Bulut who got enough power on his shot to guide it past Buffon in the Juventus goal.

Carlos Tevez and Llorente went close late on for the Serie A champions, but they failed to deny Mancini a dream start.