Manchester United & CSKA Mosco wins 2-1

Manchester United FC 2-1 Wolfsburg

Manchester United FC came from behind to defeat VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 in an enthralling UEFA Champions League Group B contest at Old Trafford.

No fear
Anglo-German match-ups seldom disappoint and this was no different, with Wolfsburg playing with none of the fear of some first-time visitors to this stadium and taking a lead through Edin Džeko's towering 56th-minute header. As they so often do, however, United hit back, Ryan Giggs's deflected free-kick bringing them swiftly level before Michael Carrick struck a fine winner to take Sir Alex Ferguson's men top of the group.

Positive approach
Some teams shrink on the Old Trafford stage and visiting coach Armin Veh had said beforehand that he did not know if his players would be "inspired or scared". Happily it turned out to be the former as they took the game to United in the opening minutes, their positive approach almost rewarded when Nemanja Vidić's weak defensive header allowed Gratife to lay back to Christian Gentner but he shot straight at Tomasz Kuszczak.

Owen off
United came out mirroring Wolfsburg's 4-4-2 with Michael Owen partnering Wayne Rooney in attack, the former making his first start in the competition since November 2004 and a Real Madrid CF match in Kyiv. The pairing lasted only 20 minutes, however, before Owen made way for Dimitar Berbatov having aggravated a groin strain. To that point Veh's surprise inclusion in the Wolfsburg defence, Ricardo Costa, had enjoyed a relatively comfortable ride on his first start of the campaign in place of Andrea Barzagli. United's sole threat had come from a Rooney free-kick but with Berbatov's introduction that changed.

Chances
The Bulgarian fashioned United's first chance of note after 25 minutes, his cute back-heel sending Luis Valencia clear on the right but the Ecuadorean winger dragged his shot wide. Berbatov then played a defence-splitting pass for Carrick but the midfielder was foiled by Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio. United kept probing, with Carrick's diving header testing Benaglio, though it was not just one-way traffic, Gentner sending a header wide from a corner.

Breakthrough
Another Wolfsburg corner brought an early scare for United after the restart, Costa volleying over the crossbar. Anderson then brought a flying save from Benaglio, but the breakthrough in this intriguing contest came at the other end as Makoto Hasebe crossed to the far post for Džeko to power a header past Kuszczak. The visitors held the lead for only three minutes before Giggs replied with a free-kick that found its way into the bottom corner via a deflection off the defensive wall.

Carrick winner
The impressive Giggs soon had the ball in the net again, firing past Benaglio after the ball deflected his way off Carrick only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. United's seemingly ageless captain was undeterred, however, combining with Berbatov to tee up Carrick who curled the winner beyond Benaglio from the edge of the box. In an exciting end-to-end finish Josue shot narrowly wide for Wolfsburg but the points were United's. For the visitors, just an awful lot of pride.


CSKA Moscow 2-1 Besiktas

Alan Dzagoev and Miloš Krasić struck in each half to secure a long-awaited home win for PFC CSKA Moskva and leave Beşiktaş JK adrift at the bottom of UEFA Champions League Group B.

Valuable victory
Both teams tasted defeat on Matchday 1 and CSKA had not enjoyed a UEFA Champions League victory in Moscow since October 2006, yet it was the home side who responded more positively. Dzagoev opened the scoring within seven minutes, before a fine individual effort from Krasić doubled the advantage just past the hour. Although Ekrem Dağ ended the visitors' long scoreless run in added time, it was too little too late for Beşiktaş, who will go into their double-header against VfL Wolfsburg knowing their hopes already hang by a thread.

Positive start
CSKA have no such worries ahead of their home and away fixtures against Manchester United FC, having quickly showed their continued improvement under new coach Juande Ramos. The Muscovites immediately seized the initiative and converted their first chance. When a long ball, combined with Tomáš Necid's delicate back-heel, gave Dzagoev space outside the box, the 19-year-old took the ball in his stride before unleashing a dipping shot that caught Rüştü Reçber off his line and found the top corner.

Momentum builds
The hosts, who had failed to win a home game in their previous UEFA Champions League campaign in 2007/08, refused to sit back and quickly created further opportunities. Rüştü kept out Mark González's header from a Chidi Odiah cross, then grabbed Krasić's weak shot at the far post before a quick break caught CSKA's defence off guard. Filip Hološko charged clear only for CSKA keeper Igor Akinfeev to race off his line and block. That proved to be the Turkish team's best opening of the half, CSKA restricting them to long shots that lacked accuracy or crosses that were easily dealt with by Akinfeev.

Late flurry
Visiting coach Mustafa Denizli had to replace injured forward Hološko with Yusuf Şimşek midway through the half although his charges might have been back on level terms before the interval. A rare starter, Odiah lost possession and allowed Beşiktaş captain Mert Nobre to advance and unleash a fizzing 25-metre strike which Akinfeev tipped over. CSKA then nearly doubled their advantage, however, González's free-kick rocketing centimetres wide of the far post with Rüştü beaten.

Momentum turns
Beşiktaş started the second half in more determined mood and were soon pushing CSKA back. After a succession of corners, Turkey's champions finally produced a clear-cut opportunity when Dağ cut into the area and crossed low, but Nihat Kahveci miscued. The Army Men rode out the storm and managed to break through the opposition back line on the counterattack, only for Necid to shoot over with just Rüştü for company.

Krasić strikes
Krasić made no such mistake in the 61st minute, beating İsmail Köybaşı and then Matteo Ferrari with a superb solo run before firing in the second. Dağ did conjure up Beşiktaş's consolation goal two minutes into added time – their first score in six competitive outings – yet it was too little too late for the Istanbul side.

Bayern & Juventus in a goalless draw while Bordeaux wins

Bayern München 0-0 Juventus

FC Bayern München and Juventus failed to make the most of their opportunities, the two heavyweights playing out a goalless draw to maintain their unbeaten records in UEFA Champions League Group A.

Heavyweight contest
The two sides boast six European Champion Clubs' Cup titles between them but punched below their weight in front of goal as they were unable to convert a number of chances in Munich. Bayern enjoyed the lion's share of possession and will be the more disappointed with the stalemate, although they nevertheless have two more points than Ciro Ferrara's Juventus, who extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches in all competitions.

Free flowing
With Oktoberfest in full swing in Munich, the two sides were clearly in the mood to produce an equally enticing spectacle with the opening minutes as free-flowing as the beer in the Bavarian capital. While David Trezeguet provided an inviting early cross into the Bayern box, the hosts almost produced an opening goal barely four minutes in. Arjen Robben skipped effortlessly inside Fabio Grosso before slanting a low ball into the feet of Thomas Müller. The youngster's clipped shot from an acute angle had the entire Bayern bench on its feet, but their expectations were disappointed as the ball dropped fractionally wide of the far post.

Breathtaking
Former Werder Bremen playmaker Diego was keen to impress on his return to Germany and forced Hans-Jörg Butt into his first save of the night, but the Brazilian found himself upstaged by Bayern's own source of inspiration, Franck Ribéry. The Frenchman produced a breathtaking shimmy that took him past two defenders before impudently chipping Gianluigi Buffon only for the ball to land on the roof of the net. Miroslav Klose then flashed a header narrowly over, but Juventus remained dangerous on the counterattack. Mauro Camoranesi fashioned a curling strike which Butt leapt full length to turn aside before David Trezeguet directed a half-volley centimetres wide of the top corner.

Robben off
Robben's injury-enforced exit late in the first half meant Bayern became ever-more dependent on Ribéry for forward momentum after the break, and the Frenchman – industrious and inspirational in equal measure – duly obliged. Breaking at pace down his favoured left flank, Ribéry's low cross found Klose in front of goal, but the forward, who played his first full 90 minutes since March on Saturday, miscued from close range. While Bayern had to work hard to create their openings, Juventus were presented with an opportunity on 65 minutes when Daniel Van Buyten misjudged a high ball, but Vincenzo Iaquinta spared the Belgian's blushes by wastefully firing over.

Iaquinta volley
The former Udinese Calcio striker almost made amends with ten minutes remaining, holding off Holger Badstuber and swivelling to fire a curling volley just wide of Butt's left-hand upright. The introduction of record signing Mario Gómez for the tiring Klose failed to revive the Bayern attack, and Louis van Gaal will be hoping his forwards can rediscover their goalscoring touch ahead of two potentially decisive encounters with FC Girondins de Bordeaux, while Juve next face Maccabi Haifa FC.

Bordeaux 1-0 Maccabi Haifa

Michaël Ciani's late header kick-started FC Girondins de Bordeaux's Group A campaign as the French champions overcame an enterprising and spirited Maccabi Haifa FC side.

Close encounter
Looking to build on their encouraging opening-day draw at Juventus, Les Marine et Blanc threw everything at the visitors but struggled to hit top gear, rarely troubling goalkeeper Nir Davidovitch in an intense and even encounter. For their part, as well as defending resolutely, Haifa attacked with skill and verve and could easily have returned to Israel with the three points. However, Ciani powering in a header from Grégory Sertic's 83rd-minute corner to clinch the all-important win that leaves Bordeaux on four points with Group A leaders and next opponents FC Bayern München while Maccabi are yet to get off the mark.

Maccabi press
The Israeli champions had boasted an excellent record against French clubs, having taken two wins and a draw from three previous meetings with Ligue 1 opposition, and Elisha Levi's charges showed no signs of apprehension against a Bordeaux side unbeaten in 21 matches. With Haifa's teenage wingers Eyal Golasa and Mohammad Ghadir pushing on at every opportunity, Bordeaux quickly found themselves on the back foot, visiting striker Vladimer Dvalishvili hooking over from close range before Eyal Meshumar's rising shot drew a save from Cédric Carrasso on 14 minutes.

Ciani saves
Laurent Blanc's charges have drawn gushing praise for their flowing football this term yet they rarely hit their straps in a disjointed first half. One long, stylish passing move culminated in Matthieu Chalmé crossing for Yoann Gourcuff, who headed wide, but such combinations proved few and far between. Only Ciani's beautifully-timed tackle prevented the pacy Ghadir from bursting clear at the other end, and Carrasso needed to demonstrate his reflexes again to parry Tsepo Masilela's stinging cross-shot just before the half-hour.

Blanc switch
As Haifa's excellent midfield pair of Jhon Jairo Culma and Baram Kayal continued to dictate play, Blanc must have wondered whether his decision to operate with two strikers in the UEFA Champions League for the first time had been wise. He altered the shape of his midfield at the break, Fernando replacing the more attacking Gourcuff, yet the pattern of the game remained unchanged, Carrasso's misjudgement immediately presenting Dvalishvili with a golden chance only for the Georgian – under pressure from Ciani – to nod wide of the open goal.

Bellion arrival
If Fernando Cavenaghi had struggled to make an impact, his replacement David Bellion proved more of a handful. The forward had two gilt-edged opportunities within minutes of coming on, firing wide from point-blank range after latching on to Marouane Chamakh's deft header, then surging clear but miscuing his shot, allowing Davidovitch to save easily.

Dramatic end
For all the French side's pressure, Haifa appeared more threatening in the closing stages. Golasa tested Carrasso from long range before, seconds later, substitute Lior Refaelov dribbled through the heart of the home defence only to see his precise low effort expertly saved by the Bordeaux No1. Haifa were made to rue those misses when Ciani struck, and their night worsened two minutes from time as Kayal received a red card for a dangerous tackle on Benoît Trémoulinas.

Arsenal scores twice while AZ Draws in Holland

Arsenal FC 2-0 Olympiacos FC

Arsenal FC left it late again as two goals in the last 12 minutes from Robin van Persie and Andrei Arshavin finally ended the resolve of Olympiacos FC, and goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis in particular.

Late joy
The home side dominated throughout in north London but for the second UEFA Champions League outing in succession they left it late. A fortnight ago Eduardo struck an 81st-minute winner to down R. Standard de Liège and it was almost as late when Van Persie at last broke through. Andrei Arshavin put the result beyond doubt four minutes from time when he flicked a clever back-heel past the embattled Nikopolidis to leave Arsenal three points clear in Group H.

Cautious start
The Gunners made a vigilant start but slowly began probing the Greek defence and carved out their first chance after 14 minutes following Cesc Fàbregas' long cross-field pass to Gaël Clichy. The French defender surged in from the left flank and his cut-back was met by a low first-time shot from Arshavin which Nikopolidis got down well to save. It was a sign of things to come, the home team's early patience making way for increasing impatience.

Arsenal pressure
Fàbregas hit the crossbar with a shot on the bounce and Tomáš Rosický's angled follow-up was parried by the Greek goalkeeper, who needed another a smart save to deny Arshavin at the near post a few minutes later. Still the hosts came and Fàbregas should have done better than direct his effort into the waiting arms of Nikopolidis when found in space.

Greek threat
If the momentum was all one way, there was a warning for the home side late in the half when Vassilis Torosidis was given a free header, albeit from 15 metres out, which caused Vito Mannone little problem. Another warning followed soon after the break when former Aston Villa FC defender Olof Mellberg, scorer of the first ever goal at this stadium, sent in a close-range header which Arsenal's defence bundled away.

Van Persie chance
Whether or not they sensed a threat, the home fans started to find their voice and were nearly on their feet when Van Persie was teed up on the edge of the area but the Dutch striker slammed his left-footed effort straight at the magnetic Nikopolidis. Thomas Vermaelen fared no better with a far-post header from a Van Persie free-kick on the hour as Olympiacos continued to soak up the pressure.

Deadlock broken
Arsène Wenger had seen enough, Rosický making way for Eduardo as he sought to inject fresh bite into Arsenal's attack. The well-drilled Olympiacos defence, working in numbers, ensured the status quo so with 13 minutes Wenger added yet another forward into the mix in the shape of Carlos Vela. A minute later Van Persie broke the deadlock, steering in from close range after Eduardo had cut the ball back following a defence-splitting pass by Fàbregas. The Arsenal captain then set up Arshavin to set the seal on another late win.

AZ Alkmaar 1-1 R. Standard de Liège

AZ Alkmaar's hopes of a historic first UEFA Champions League win were dashed at the death at the DSB-Stadium where Moussa Traore conjured up a 91st-minute equaliser for R. Standard de Liège.

Late twist
The home side had looked set to claim three Group H points as reward for a largely dominant display, which had been capped by Mounir El Hamdaoui's rolled finish after 48 minutes. It was at the other extreme of the second half that the noisy celebrations of the Alkmaar fans were silenced, though – substitute Traore getting on the end of a hopefully punted free-kick into the AZ penalty area. The draw left both teams on one point after the first two matchdays of their debut campaigns in the UEFA Champions League.

Territorial advantage
The first chance of note had come on the quarter-hour, Maarten Martens firing a rising shot from just outside the box that Standard keeper Sinan Bolat turned behind for a corner. The game was being played mainly in the Belgian champions' half, but despite their territorial advantage AZ created few clear openings. In contrast, the visitors posed a threat on the break when Dieudonné Mbokani's attempt was deflected narrowly wide with AZ keeper Sergio Romero stranded.

Pressure rises
Minutes later it was the hosts who almost broke the deadlock, but El Hamdaoui's header from a Gill Swerts cross was tipped over by Bolat. Moussa Dembélé then cleverly made space for a low effort which he pulled wide from 20 metres. The same Alkmaar forward also volleyed El Hamdaoui's centre over the woodwork from close range as Ronald Koeman's Dutch titleholders upped the pressure. Standard must have been relieved to hear the half-time whistle.

On target
After the restart AZ continued where they had left off, keeping Standard on the back foot, and the results were immediate. Brett Holman released El Hamdaoui inside the area, and last season's Eredivisie top scorer rolled the ball past Bolat and into the corner of the net. Moments later he nearly doubled his tally, yet this time Standard's keeper prevailed in the one-on-one.

Standard response
AZ were now in full flow, combining effectively, and constantly looking to carve out opportunities. In response, Standard made two substitutions in quick succession, bringing on Landry Mulemo and Igor De Camargo for Ricardo Rocha and Mohamed Sarr, and they began to risk more in attack. This adventurous approach might have paid dividends after 68 minutes when Mehdi Carcela-González's swerving drive was palmed over by Romero.

Equaliser
Standard's spell of greater endeavour did not last, as the game slipped back into a pattern of forceful AZ advances, which suggested the Eredivisie outfit would hold on for a famous win on their home debut in the group stage. That, however, was counting without the belated impact of visiting coach László Bölöni's third change – the introduction of Sarr for Wilfried Dalmat. The former was in the right place, one minute into stoppage time, to turn in the loose ball after first Alkmaar defender Héctor Moreno, then Axel Witsel, had flicked on a free-kick pumped forward by Bolat.

Sevilla wins in Scotland by four and Stuttgart draws

FC Unirea Urziceni 1-1 VfB Stuttgart

Serban Dacian Varga scored FC Unirea Urziceni's first ever goal in UEFA club competition to secure a valuable point against VfB Stuttgart in the second round of matches in UEFA Champions League Group G.

Sublime strike
Having failed to find the net in their first three European outings, the Romanian champions made the worst possible start to their first home fixture in the European Champion Clubs' Cup, Serdar Tasci taking advantage of some slack marking to give Stuttgart a fifth-minute lead. Three minutes after half-time, however, it was the German side's turn to be punished for defensive failings – Markus Babbel's team also having let slip a lead against Rangers FC on Matchday 1 – with Varga's eye-catching strike a fitting way to get Unirea of the mark in their first UEFA Champions League campaign.

Early initiative
Stuttgart clearly saw a profitable route in putting Unirea under immediate pressure and seeking to exploit any nervousness among the Romanian champions' ranks. On the front foot from the kick-off, the visitors threatened to take advantage of some indecisive defending in the first minute, Roberto Hilbert shooting shoot into the side-netting. The warning had been served but was not heeded and Unirea were caught flat-footed as the ball was pumped in high from the right. Timo Gebhart climbed to apply a crucial header down and Tasci, a step ahead of his markers, pounced to take full advantage.

Hope for Unirea
It was not the scenario Unirea coach Dan Petrescu had envisaged but even though the Stuttgart threat remained alive with Thomas Hitzlsperger trying his luck with his right foot, there was still plenty to keep the home crowd hopeful. Ricardo Vilana was a driving force in midfield where Iulian Apostol's craft in possession also won valuable space and time. Out wide Varga posed considerable difficulties for Stuttgart with his deliveries from the left and when he sent another across in the 24th minute Tiberiu Bălan, coming in off the other flank, moved menacingly towards the ball only for Arthur Boka to make a crucial clearance.

Historic strike
The second period mirrored the first for early drama. After a strong run from Pavel Pogrebnyak had been halted, Unirea immediately went on the offensive and drew encouragement from Stuttgart's inability to clear their lines. Gebhart undid his earlier good work by putting his defence under more pressure and when the ball eventually found its way to Varga he produced a sublime curling shot beyond the reach of Jens Lehmann.

Mounting excitement
The Unirea support were now in full voice as the excitement mounted. Pogrebnyak drilled in a low shot which Giedrius Arlauskis did well to hold before Varga passed up another opening while Ciprian Marica, back in his hometown and keen to impress, missed the chance to make a decisive impact when he lifted the ball over from close range. Hilbert also proved wasteful from a similar position, leaving Stuttgart to contemplate a home game with Sevilla FC on Matchday 3 when Unirea visit Rangers.


Rangers FC 1-4 Sevilla FC

Sevilla FC took command of UEFA Champions League Group G as four goals in 24 second-half minutes claimed a convincing away victory over Rangers FC in Glasgow.

Second-half goals
After an even first half, Abdoulay Konko broke the deadlock on 50 minutes. It opened the floodgates for the Spanish side with Adriano, Luis Fabiano and Frédéric Kanouté adding to the tally in a devastating spell on a return to the city where Sevilla retained the UEFA Cup in 2007. Rangers substitute Nacho Novo scored a late consolation but his team are now bottom of the group, five points behind leaders Sevilla.

Rangers change
Following three domestic games without a goal, Rangers manager Walter Smith sprang a surprise by opting for Steven Naismith over Kenny Miller as his lone striker and the Scottish international glanced a Steve Davis cross over early on. However, on a rain-slickened surface, Sevilla soon settled into their passing rhythm and carved open the home defence on 15 minutes. Allan McGregor came smartly off his line to block Kanouté's goal-bound effort after a smart exchange with Jesús Navas.

Sustained pressure
Naismith was devoid of support but midway through the half Lee McCulloch latched on to a Julien Escudé clearance and unleashed a shot that rose just over Andrés Palop's crossbar. This prompted a period of sustained pressure from the home side and moments later Kevin Thomson pulled a shot narrowly wide.

Navas close
As a more even contest flowed from end to end, next it was Sevilla's turn and four minutes before the interval Adriano almost broke the deadlock. Dispossessing Madjid Bougherra on the edge of the box, he unleashed a powerful right-foot shot that McGregor could only parry to Navas. However, the follow-up was lifted over from close range.

Sevilla ahead
McCulloch, too, came close with a glancing header soon after the restart but it proved a false dawn and three minutes later Sevilla were ahead. This time it was Lolo's set-piece delivery that caused the problems, finding Navas, and the winger expertly picked out Konko to rise unmarked and plant a firm header between McGregor and his near post.

Lead doubled
Back came Rangers and Steven Whittaker slid a teasing ball across the face of the Sevilla goal which just eluded Saša Papac before Thomson forced Palop to tip over from distance. Chasing an equaliser Rangers were now prone to Sevilla's quick counters and the second goal duly arrived on 64 minutes. Once again Kanouté and Fabiano were the orchestrators, working a one-two before the Brazilian squared to where Adriano was waiting to stroke the ball in.

Further goals
It was now case of damage limitation for the Scottish champions but eight minutes later they were undone again when Fabiano turned in Kanouté's cross. The Brazil striker swiftly returned the favour when he released Kanouté to put the result beyond doubt before Novo salvaged some pride for the home side with a rasping shot from the edge of the area.

Barcelona Wins by Two and Internazionale Draw in Russia

FC Barcelona 2-0 Dynamo Kyiv

FC Barcelona ended FC Dynamo Kyiv's 15-match unbeaten run in all competitions as a goal in each half from Lionel Messi and Pedro Rodríguez secured a victory that took the UEFA Champions League holders top of Group F.

Tremendous battle
Although the visitors had their chances in an even first half, Messi put the home side in front in the 26th minute, crowning a characteristic run with a low shot, although Barça could not breathe easily until substitute Pedro – who also scored the decisive goal against Dynamo's great rivals FC Shakhtar Donetsk in last month's UEFA Super Cup – added a second 14 minutes from time. The match had been a wonderful competition between Zlatan Ibrahimović and Messi and Dynamo goalkeeper Olexandr Shovkovskiy with each taking turns to shine, although Dynamo depart ruing their inability to convert chances of their own.

Dynamo chances
By the time Messi broke the deadlock the holders could well have been behind. Hesitancy and errors provided Dynamo with a series of opportunities, the clearest of which came in the 20th minute. Yevgen Khacheridi's challenge prevented Victor Valdés clearing a corner, Artem Milevskiy cut the ball across the goal and while Daniel Alves scrambled it off the line, Ognjen Vukojević crashed in a goal-bound shot which deflected narrowly wide. With Oleh Gusev creating chaos down Dynamo's right wing, the uncertainty in the home defence was summed up as Gerard Piqué and Carles Puyol collided twice in quick succession.

Messi magic
Even if they were below par, however, Barça were in the game. Andrés Iniesta had looked tentative on his first start since last season's final, but an early surge into the area brought a despairing diving tackle from Khacheridi while a Shovkovskiy leap and punch that prevented Ibrahimović heading in brought generous applause from the Swede. Having ridden out the Dynamo storm, Barça responded with the opening goal, Iniesta picking up possession and quickly realising the visiting defence was out of position. An angled pass found Messi's run and the Argentinian danced inside to fire a low left-foot shot that found the bottom corner with the aid of a slight deflection.

Shovkovskiy excels
Either side of the break the advantage might have been increased, Shovkovskiy producing a fine stop to block Messi after the forward raced through and reacting instantly to paw over Ibrahimović's acrobatic volley. Dynamo had threatened an equaliser when Vukojević's effort was ruled offside although Ibrahimović went close again only to direct a free header into the goalkeeper's arms. Messi was beginning to enjoy himself and nearly lobbed Shovkovskiy, Kacheridi intervening to head narrowly wide of his own goal.

Clinching second
Ibrahimović then unleashed a fizzing drive which Shovkovskiy did superbly to block to his left, yet the goalkeeper was finally beaten for a second time. Josep Guardiola had introduced both Pedro and Sergio Busquets and it was the former who sealed the win, collecting an Ibrahimović pass and darting inside Leandro Almeida to ensure Barça go into their double-header with FC Rubin Kazan in good heart. Dynamo next visit FC Internazionale Milano.


Rubin Kazan 1-1 Internazionale

FC Internazionale Milano had to hang on with ten men in the last half-hour to come away from FC Rubin Kazan with a Group F point.

Goal apiece
Kazan was staging its first UEFA Champions League fixture and within eleven minutes Alejandro Domínguez had struck in his tenth consecutive Rubin game. Dejan Stanković equalised as Inter responded well but after Mario Balotelli's dismissal they were forced to cling on to secure a second point, one more than Rubin.

Rubin ahead
Any thoughts the home team might sit back against such celebrated visitors were dispelled in the opening minute when the home side surged forward and earned a dangerous free-kick. The set-piece did not bear fruit but Rubin's intent was clear and the early pressure eventually told as Aleksandr Bukharov latched on to a through-pass and laid off to the on-rushing Domínguez. The Argentinian forward strode past Lucio and Walter Samuel before hammering an angled shot into the roof of Júlio César's net for his second goal in as many group games.

Eto'o denied
The Brazilian custodian made amends three minutes later, tipping the ball over the bar after Domínguez tested him from a free-kick. After Lucio volleyed just wide at the other end, Júlio César was grateful to see Rubin defender César Navas head over after being found unmarked at the far post by Domínguez. Inter then began to settle and Sergei Ryzhikov produced an incredible save after 21 minutes to stop Samuel Eto'o from point-blank range.

Equaliser
After a last-gasp interception denied Mancini, starting in place of the injured Diego Milito, it was clear Rubin were becoming stretched. But having paid for sitting back on a lead only to lose 3-1 at FC Dynamo Kyiv on Matchday 1, the home team kept pressing only to see their lead disappeared on 27 minutes when the unmarked Stanković headed in Maicon's cross. Ryzhikov had to tip Balotelli's cross-shot on to the bar as Inter continued to attack.

Home side respond
After the break Inter continued where they had left off, pegging Rubin back, but the Russian champions defended staunchly and soon the visitors began to drop back while the home side, urged on by a noisy crowd, gained in confidence. After Sergei Semak went close from 20 metres out, Rubin won a succession of corners but were unable to make them count.

Balotelli off
Inter were reduced to ten men on the hour when Balotelli was dismissed for a second booking after a foul on Christian Noboa. Soon Júlio César had to stretch himself to palm away Noboa's curling shot from distance before Bukharov miscued when put in perfect position by Gökdeniz Karadeniz's strong run into the box.

Semak hits post
The Rubin fans increased the volume and their players piled on the pressure. But they could not force the winner; Aleksandr Ryazantsev failing to place his shot when in the box, Bukharov heading just wide from Gökdeniz's cross and Semak hitting the post after a corner on 81 minutes. Nevertheless, with this performance they will be a threat at FC Barcelona on 20 October, when Inter, who brought on Patrick Vieira late on, will hope for a first group win at home to Dynamo.

liverpool sunk in Italy while Lyon wins by four

Fiorentina 2-0 Liverpool FC

Two first-half strikes by Stevan Jovetić earned Fiorentina a memorable victory against Liverpool FC and their first points in UEFA Champions League Group E

Superb response
Without the suspended Alberto Gilardino, the weight of the Italian side's attacking expectations rested on the Montenegrin's young shoulders. The 19-year-old responded superbly, beating the offside trap and Pepe Reina on 28 minutes and then, before half-time, turning Juan Vargas's driven cross past the Spanish goalkeeper.

Scissor-kick
The opening exchanges were tentative, two packed midfields taking their time to feel each other out, but the match sprang to life on the quarter-hour mark when Jovetić raced on to a fine through-ball by Riccardo Montolivo down the left. The No8 reached the area but as he shaped to shoot Martin Škrtel made a crucial covering tackle. The visitors failed to clear the ensuing corner and Jovetić's inviting cross was met by a spectacular Marco Marchionni scissor-kick which fizzed narrowly over.

Opening goal
Marchionni caused Liverpool problems throughout with his pace and movement and was at the hub of all things Viola, for whom Cristiano Zanetti and Montolivo were also laying down a marker in midfield. Another move instigated by Marchionni resulted in Jovetić chancing his arm from distance. On that occasion the forward's aim was awry, but just before the half-hour it was true as Cristiano Zanetti picked out the teenager, played onside by Emiliano Insúa, who rolled the ball past Reina.

Lively Marchionni
Liverpool charged forward in a bid to end the sustained pressure but that only left them exposed at the back, Montolivo finding the room to play a diagonal pass to Vargas, who, in spite of an unfavourable angle, forced a fine save out of Reina with a vicious 20-metre shot. Perhaps buoyed by that effort, the home side were celebrating a second goal eight minutes before the interval. Another fine run and cross by Marchionni down the right was headed into the path of Vargas by Škrtel and the Peruvian's fierce centre was expertly flicked in by Jovetić.

Reds awakening
Liverpool began the second half with purpose, producing three goal attempts within five minutes of the restart. Yossi Benayoun led the charge, testing Sébastien Frey at his near post after anticipating Gianluca Comotto's misplaced header. Lucas sent a thudding header over a minute later and Frey saved from Dirk Kuyt as the Premier League side took the game to the Viola.

Pressure
As the half wore on the pressure increased, Torres denied twice by the determined Alessandro Gamberini, one a last-ditch tackle in the area which demanded precision timing. The striker sent another other opportunity over the bar after meeting Škrtel's right-wing cross first time, and with it went Liverpool's slender hopes of a comeback as they lost in the group stage for the first time since October 2007 and a 2-1 defeat by Beşiktaş JK.

Debreceni 0-4 Lyon

Lyon's first visit to Hungary proved a fruitful one as the French club stormed to the top of UEFA Champions League Group E with a commanding victory against Debreceni VSC in Budapest.

Biggest away win
The Ligue 1 outfit were comfortably superior despite being reliant on set-pieces for most of their breakthroughs, with the Debrecen rearguard struggling to cope whenever Miralem Pjanić was at the controls. The talented No8 set Kim Källström up for an eye-catching finish from a corner before András Herczeg's men had properly settled and he scored himself with a free-kick shortly after, before finding the head of Sidney Govou to leave the Hungarian titleholders reeling with 24 minutes gone. Bafétimbi Gomis then pounced on over-enthusiastic goalkeeping soon after the interval to put the seal on Lyon's biggest away win in the competition.

Rapid impact
Slow starters in recent weeks, the visitors made an uncharacteristically rapid impact to quell native passions at Debrecen's temporary home in the capital, Källström sweeping the ball low into net on the half-volley from Pjanić's flighted corner to the edge of the area three minutes in. If the defending left much to be desired, the technique was impeccable, and Lyon further justified their status as favourites ten minutes later, Pjanić leaving Vukašin Poleksić completely beaten with a curled free-kick from around 22 metres out that contained more than an echo of departed club favourite Juninho Pernambucano.

Set-piece threat
Pjanić was prompting constant danger from set-pieces and the schemer was again the catalyst as Lyon scored their third, picking out Sidney Govou with another corner which the French international headed in via a deflection off Péter Czvitkovics. The unfortunate Debrecen midfielder almost made up for his role in that strike with two attempts on goal in the immediate aftermath, only to find Hugo Lloris equal to the task as Lyon refused to give anything away.

Govou skill
At the other end, Govou then threatened to leave his second mark on the match with a far cleaner effort, but having eliminated László Bodnár and Ádám Komlósi with two sublime touches, the visiting captain unleashed a volley that Poleksić dived low to stop. The Montenegrin No1 began the second half in less impressive fashion than he ended the first, however, rushing out of his area to meet a long ball from Källström, misjudging the bounce and allowing Gomis to head himself clear and lob expertly into an empty net.

Källström role
Brought on at the break, promising forward Gergely Rudolf forced Lloris to tip over with an attempt from distance, but the better chances continued to fall to Puel's charges, who continued to probe from dead-ball situations even after Pjanić's 57th-minute removal. Källström took over as chief tormentor and from one of his corners Jean II Makoun came within centimetres of scoring. A fifth goal proved elusive, but Les Gones will surely go into their double-header with Liverpool FC in confident mood, while Debrecen must lift themselves against Fiorentina – starting on 20 October.

D kyiv wins while Inter and Barca draw goalless

Internazionale 0 - 0 FC Barcelona

It was honours even at San Siro as FC Barcelona were held to a goalless draw by FC Internazionale Milano in a match the European champions dominated but failed to crown with a goal their performance deserved.

The Spanish outfit created numerous chances to break the deadlock, particularly in the first half, the best of which fell to Zlatan Ibrahimović, who was unable to score against the side he left in the summer. In the end Inter, whose own forays on goal were rare, held on to ensure both teams opened UEFA Champions League Group F with a point.

From the outset Barça looked to overwhelm their hosts, creating three clear chances in the opening ten minutes. Within 80 seconds, Lionel Messi tested Júlio César, racing on to Xavi Hernández's slide-rule pass, shimmying both ways and forcing the Brazilian into a one-handed save low to his left. Daniel Alves then floated a pass to Ibrahimović, who chested the ball down beautifully, only to fire his volley over. Inter's defence was struggling to cope with Barca's fluid passing and moments later Alves teed up Messi, whose header lacked power.

Save for Maicon's 25-metre wayward strike, the Nerazzurri were creating little as well as looking vulnerable when not in possession. Messi broke through again on 20 minutes, and but for a superb tackle by Cristian Chivu, would have been one on one with Júlio César. Inter almost took the lead soon after when Diego Milito ran on to a long ball, cut inside Gerard Piqué and curled in a shot which Víctor Valdés did well to hold. Their next foray arrived moments later with Samuel Eto'o holding the ball up for Wesley Sneijder, who feigned a shot, switched feet, and fired over.

However, these were brief respites from what was a typically fluid Barcelona display. The visitors continued to pour forward in waves of orange, Thierry Henry finishing another slick passing move with a shot that was too high. Seydou Keita then dragged a chance wide from ten metres after fine wing play from Alves before Júlio César tipped over a long-range attempt from Messi.

After the break Inter showed more purpose, Sneijder unleashing an angled shot narrowly wide before substitute Dejan Stanković pounced on a loose ball, held up for him by Milito, and curled over the bar. The European champions were soon weaving their pretty patterns again, though, befuddling their Serie A counterparts with their intricate interplay, Messi an omnipresent danger. If anything Barcelona were guilty of over elaborating, at times electing for the extra pass when the chance to shoot was on. In the end Inter, and Lucio and Chivu in particular, deserve credit for keeping one of Europe's most feared attacking forces at bay.

FC Dynamo Kyiv 3-1 FC Rubin Kazan

Three goals in the last 19 minutes gave FC Dynamo Kyiv victory against UEFA Champions League debutants FC Rubin Kazan and kept up their perfect home competition record against Russian visitors.

Rubin took the lead midway through the first half thanks to Alejandro Domínguez's free-kick and by the break Dynamo were struggling to find a way back. But it all changed after half-time as the Ukrainian champions began to create clear-cut chances and their endeavour was rewarded when Ayila Yussuf, Gérson Magrão and substitute Oleh Gusev found the target to give Dynamo the three Group F points.

Despite their free-scoring displays in Russia this season, with 20 goals in their last six games, Rubin opted for a more defensive approach in Kiev against a side fielding Artem Milevskiy, Andriy Shevchenko – on his first UEFA Champions League appearance for Dynamo since April 1999 – and Andriy Yarmolenko in attack. Sure enough, while Dynamo dominated possession from the off they found little room to create real chances. Magrão did send in two free-kicks each met by Yussuf, first with his left foot and then his head, but both times the ball went wide.

Rubin were relying on quick breaks down the wing but Aleksandr Ryazantsev and Gökdeniz Karadeniz were having little joy. However, on 25 minutes the visitors were in front. Russia captain Sergei Semak won a free-kick directly in front of goal and Domínguez lifted the ball over the wall and into the top corner past the stranded Olexandr Shovkovskiy.

Five minutes later Miloš Ninković came close to equalising after Vitali Kaleshin was unable to clear a long ball but, through on goal, the Serbian midfielder's miscued shot just past the post produced an audible sigh from the home fans. Dynamo continued to push and just before half-time Shevchenko crossed from the right only for teenager Yarmolenko to head off target from close range.

Having had no shots on target in the first half, Dynamo redoubled their efforts after the interval as they increased the pressure on Rubin. Shevchenko was unlucky to see a ten-metre volley fly over before his venomous free-kick was cleared by Rubin's midfield anchor Christian Noboa, deputising for the suspended Macbeth Sibaya.

Dynamo's toil soon had its reward, though, as Milevskiy – who earlier had a low shot saved by Sergei Ryzhikov – flicked on Magrão's corner and Yussuf rose highest to loop in a header. The Valeri Lobanovskiy Stadium faithful now produced an explosion of noise as they scented victory and Dynamo's players were not to disappoint.

Milevskiy and Magrão were piercing Rubin's defence with regularity and Ryzhikov was having to be at his very best. He did well to parry Roman Eremenko's long-range shot and was lucky when Gusev's angled effort went wide. But the goalkeeper could do nothing when another substitute, Tiberiu Ghioane, sent in a cross from the left, helped on by Shevchenko into the path of Magrão. His emphatic finish was followed by a wild celebration and six minutes later Gusev completed the victory, pouncing when Milevskiy's shot was blocked in the box to shoot past Ryzhikov.

Arsenal gets a good comeback and Olympiacos win by one

Olympiacos FC 1-0 AZ Alkmaar

Olympiacos FC began life without Temuri Ketsbaia with a 1-0 victory against AZ Alkmaar in their UEFA Champions League Group H opener as new coach Zico looked on from the Georgios Karaiskakis stands.

The Greek titleholders confirmed Zico's appointment on a two-year contract before kick-off and how the match could have done with the former Brazil player's legendary flair as defences dominated. That was until the 79th minute, however, when Vassilis Torosidis rose to head in Jaouad Zairi's superb right-wing cross and ensure Olympiacos a winning return to the competition after a one-year absence.

Pounding drums, ear-splitting sirens and deafening whistles all combined to create a raucous atmosphere inside the stadium as the home crowd tried to unsettle Ronald Koeman's players. Nonetheless, after a cautious opening, it was the visitors who had the first sight of goal when Moussa Dembélé broke down the right and crossed for Maarten Martens, who contrived to bundle the ball over from two metres out. Olympiacos responded with their own raid down the right when Torosidis crossed dangerously for Diogo but the Brazilian striker was beaten to the ball by defender Niklas Moisander.

Denied the attacking talents of midfielders Enzo Maresca and Luciano Galletti through injury as well as striker Matt Derbyshire, Olympiacos were seemingly content to sit back and wait for their chance to pounce. Their right flank looked the most likely source of a goal with Leonardo prodding wide from Zairi's centre before Diogo glanced a header off target following another cross by the Moroccan. The hosts should have been ahead ten minutes after the break when the overlapping Michał Żewłakow delivered a low cross from the right which Diogo dummied cleverly, only for Dudu to fire over when well positioned near the penalty spot.

AZ responded with a forward thrust of their own but David Mendes da Silva's fierce drive flashed narrowly over the crossbar. Next to try his luck was Brett Holman, the Australian cutting inside after 72 minutes and testing the reflexes of Antonis Nikopolidis with a powerful effort from distance which the former Greek international diverted to safety. Stand-in coach Božidar Bandović responded by introducing striker Kostas Mitroglou, and within four minutes the deadlock was broken as Torosidis charged in unchallenged from a central position to head in Zairi's clipped cross. Koeman threw men forward in a desperate attempt to level the match and Nikopolidis need to be at his best to save substitute Jeremain Lens's strike from distance.

R. Standard de Liège 2-3 Arsenal FC

Arsenal FC scored two late goals to prevent R. Standard de Liège from crowning their first UEFA Champions League group-stage appearance with a memorable win, the Gunners plundering a dramatic 3-2 victory in Belgium.

The English hosts inflicted Standard's heaviest ever European defeat back in 1993, triumphing 7-0 at Stade Maurice Dufrasne, but it was the hosts who threatened to run up the score this time around, centre-back Eliaquim Mangala finding the net with little more than a minute gone and Milan Jovanović following up with a spot-kick moments later. Arsenal failed to stir until Nicklas Bendtner's strike late in the first half, but they equalised through Thomas Vermaelen eleven minutes from time and claimed maximum points with an Eduardo strike two minutes later.

Standard's supporters greeted their start to life in Europe's premier club competition with a wild crescendo of noise, and their heroes more than responded in kind, stunning Arsenal with a goal inside two minutes. Manuel Almunia's chest infection combined with Łukasz Fabiański's pre-season injury meant Arsène Wenger was obliged to hand third-choice goalkeeper Vito Mannone the gloves and, making his own debut at this level, the Italian was beaten at his near post by a low Mangala effort from the edge of the area after Eduardo had failed to clear a corner.

Mannone's whirlwind introduction to the competition was not over yet either, as just three minutes later he was again picking the ball out of his net. This time William Gallas brought down Jovanović and the Serbian winger picked himself up to rifle in the resultant penalty. Despite their European pedigree, Arsenal were the side more resembling naïve newcomers and, when they were not losing possession unnecessarily, their attempts to rally ran aground against some disciplined and energetic football from the hosts.

With Les Rouches increasingly content to play on the break, however, the visitors were at least able to enjoy the greater possession, and they eventually made telling use with their first genuine chance on the stroke of half-time, Bendtner sweeping a shot through goalkeeper Sinan Bolat's legs and inside the far post after running on to Abou Diaby's intelligent pass. Any suggestion that László Bölöni's troops would now crumble was quickly dismissed seconds after the restart, though, Gaël Clichy doing well to block as Dieudonné Mbokani pulled the trigger in front of goal.

As time ebbed away, Standard nonetheless began to let Arsenal approach almost at their leisure again, a strategy that seemed destined to bear fruit as long-range shots from substitute Aaron Ramsey and captain Cesc Fàbregas found Bolat perfectly able to cope. Just as it seemed the visitors would leave empty-handed, however, Vermaelen bundled the ball over the line from point-blank range after a scramble in the area following a Fàbregas free-kick. Arsenal's winner was no prettier, Eduardo registering at close distance from a corner, but the result was all that mattered as they opened Group H with a win.

Sevilla scored two and earn the top of group

VfB Stuttgart 1-1 Rangers FC

A moment of inspiration from Algerian defender Madjid Bougherra left VfB Stuttgart disappointed as Rangers FC fought back to earn a share of the UEFA Champions League spoils.

The hosts dominated the first half, deservedly took the lead through former FC Zenit St. Petersburg striker Pogrebnyak and looked to be cruising as the teams went in at the break. But a positive response from Rangers changed the complexion of the Group G opener, and after two warnings Bougherra made it 1-1 18 minutes from time when he advanced, played a clever one-two with Jérôme Rothen before slamming home. A disappointing night almost became much worse for the hosts in added time as Steven Davis' low drive clipped the outside of the post.

That would have been harsh on Stuttgart, who had showed more purpose from the off and almost stunned the noisy travelling Rangers support within two minutes when Cacau arrived unmarked in the box to apply a left-foot strike to Roberto Hilbert cross that was well saved by Allan McGregor. Thomas Hitzlsperger was unable to keep his acrobatic effort down from the rebound. It was a sign of things to come for the visitors as they struggled to get out of their own half, the hosts' slick passing game leaving them chasing shadows.

The Bundesliga side's early dominance paid dividends on 18 minutes when the industrious Cacau blocked Saša Papac's attempted clearance before powering into the box and unselfishly laying the ball across to Pogrebnyak who made no mistake, finishing low past the helpless McGregor from ten metres. Stuttgart continued to pile on the pressure and even when they finally began to provide some attacking impetus towards the end of the opening period Rangers struggled with their final ball.

Walter Smith's men started the second half with much more hunger and purpose, almost snatching an equaliser within two minutes of the restart. Rothen found enough space on the right to deliver a dangerous cross which Papac, getting the wrong side of Christian Träsch after surging forward from left-back, got to it first but his diving header flew well wide of Jens Lehmann's left-hand post. It was a stark warning for the dominant hosts but they did to heed it, failing to marry their midfield supremacy into meaningful goalscoring opportunities.

Rangers went close again when new signing Rothen struck the upright with a miscued right-wing cross just after the hour; Stuttgart would not earn a third reprieve, from Bougherra. Rangers continued to press and twice went close late on when Steven Naismith dispossessed Artur Boka in his own box only for Lehmann to smother the ball before he could release his shot. Davis then struck a post with a driven left-foot strike, but Stuttgart held on for the point and now turn their attentions to Romanian side FC Unirea Urziceni in two weeks time, while Rangers face a stiff test at home to Sevilla FC.

Sevilla FC 2-0 FC Unirea Urziceni

Sevilla FC earned the right to top Group G after Matchday 1 with a hard-working 2-0 victory over Romanian UEFA Champions League debutants FC Unirea Urziceni.

The Spanish club ultimately had to rely on Brazilian flair to find a way through a resistant Unirea side as Luis Fabiano, with a fine drive in first-half stoppage time, and then Renato, via a 70th-minute goalmouth header, assured their team of three vital home points. For Unirea coach Dan Petrescu, there was the satisfaction that his charges' intense effort had made them tough to beat, but no points and a burden of four bookings.

The initial pattern may have been as predictable as it was frustrating for the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán crowd. Unirea left only Marius Ioan Bilasco up front and often the striker, joint-top scorer in their championship-winning season, dropped deep to make a six-man midfield. However, Sevilla coach Manuel Jiménez had anticipated the type of task his team faced and both wingers, Jesús Navas and Diego Capel, pushed so far up that the hosts often probed in a 4-2-4 formation. Despite Dan Petrescu's side working with first-class organisation and athleticism, as well as collecting three cautions for foul play, Sevilla began to exert control. Sorin Frunză conceded possession in midfield, enabling Renato to surge forward and hit a fine shot which Ersin Mehmedović deflected wide.

Capel was having a particularly energetic night down the left and his incisive crosses allowed Frédéric Kanouté and Fabiano to impose themselves. Tiberiu Bălan let the pressure get to him and fouled Fabiano. Sevilla's in-form No10 cracked a 25-metre free-kick towards Giedrius Arlauskis's top right-hand corner but the Lithuanian international goalkeeper excelled himself in tipping it over. Two tremendous blocks by overworked centre-half George Galamaz, from Kanouté on the half-hour and then from Fabiano, also prevented Unirea from being blown away.

The deadlock lasted until moments before the interval, however, when Brazilian international Fabiano added to his weekend brace against Real Zaragoza. If Renato's run down the left dragged Unirea defenders with him, his ensuing cut-back to the edge of the box paid even greater dividends as Fabiano swept the ball clinically past Arlauskis. After the break Sevilla upped the tempo and Capel wasted a Fabiano assist, blasting high over, before Galamaz was booked for a crude challenge on the flying left-footer.

Capel departed the scene soon after, being replaced by Diego Perotti, and Kanouté followed as Álvaro Negredo made his UEFA Champions League debut for his new club. Jiménez's attempts to force the pace and tie up a tense game nearly came to quick fruition when former Real Madrid CF striker Negredo tested Arlauskis. The No1, though, earned some luck as the ball ballooned up from his save and dipped just past the goal frame. Even so, the substitutions finally worked as Perotti delivered a 70th-minute corner which Fabiano nodded on and Renato headed in to calm nerves.

Liverpool and lyon get one goal to get the win

Liverpool FC 1-0 Debreceni VSC

Dirk Kuyt ensured Liverpool FC made a winning, if low-key, start to their Group E campaign, the Dutchman's goal in first-half stoppage time securing a narrow victory against UEFA Champions League newcomers Debreceni VSC.

Kuyt's close-range finish was reward for an opening 45 minutes where Liverpool peppered the Debrecen goal with shots. But the home side failed to build on their advantage and while Liverpool emerged with the points, Andras Herczeg's tournament debutants will return home with confidence intact after a creditable display that earned generous applause from the home crowd.

As Hungary's first UEFA Champions League participants in 14 years, Debrecen could be forgiven their nervous start. They may have arrived at Anfield on an eight-game winning run but set out to contain, dropping ten men behind the ball when Liverpool had possession with Adamo Coulibaly alone up front. Yet they did not help themselves by giving the ball away cheaply during the opening stages, inviting pressure.

For all Liverpool's early probing it was Ádám Komlósi's failure to clear that let in Albert Riera for the first chance of note but the Spaniard dragged his shot wide, the first in a sequence of near misses by the winger. After firing past the far post when released by Steven Gerrard he went closer still soon afterwards, only for Vukašin Poleksić to get a hand to his low shot. Kuyt was first to the follow-up but failed to beat defender Norbert Mészáros on the goalline.

Debrecen almost gave their 2,000 travelling followers something to celebrate on the half-hour when Martin Škrtel's clearance fell to Péter Czvitkovics and the midfielder returned the ball with interest, his rising drive bringing a fingertip save out of Pepe Reina. Buoyed by that near thing, Czvitkovics then attempted an ambitious volley from Luis Ramos's far-post cross but the ball flew wide.

Liverpool soon regained control and, if not at their fluent best, their pressure finally told on the stroke of half-time. After Riera had driven a shot into Poleksić's body and his cross had been turned wide by Gerrard, it fell to Kuyt, a lively presence, to score. Fernando Torres tried his luck from the edge of the box and when Poleksić could only parry his shot the Duchman steered the loose ball into the corner.

If not as dominant as a subdued Kop might have wanted, Liverpool pushed for more goals in the second half. Gerrard almost added a second when he skimmed the roof of the net with a spectacular volley. Yossi Benayoun then drew deserved applause with a jinking run past four white shirts and low shot that Poleksić turned behind at the near post.

Debrecen began to scent the opportunity of an equaliser, notably when Leandro slipped a pass beyond the home defence for Coulibaly. The French striker lifted the ball over Reina but not towards goal and Carragher headed clear, before László Bodnár had a shot deflected wide from the ensuing corner. At the other end Benayoun and substitute Ryan Babel both went close but a solitary goal proved enough for Liverpool on a night where the points, not performance, mattered most.

Lyon 1-0 Fiorentina

A late goal from Miralem Pjanić gave Olympique Lyonnais a hard-earned victory against ten-man ACF Fiorentina in the first round of matches in UEFA Champions League Group E.

The home side looked the likelier winners from the moment Alberto Gilardino was dismissed for violent conduct on the stroke of half-time yet were held at bay by a string of fine saves from the visitors' French goalkeeper Sébastien Frey. With 14 minutes remaining, however, Pjanić was first to react to yet another Frey stop to give the French side the perfect start to their attempt to reach the knockout stages for a seventh successive season.

Early on both sides did an excellent job of closing down the space and pressing their opponents, with the result that 20 players were crammed into a single third of the pitch. The home fans on the Virage Nord provided plenty of atmosphere with their chants, clapping and drums, but on the pitch there was little to cheer, with the first half-chance not materialising until midway through the half when Adrian Mutu's slick back-heel put Gilardino through, only for stand-in centre-back Jérémy Toulalan to make a last-ditch tackle.

A minute later Lyon striker Bafétimbi Gomis fared no better when he too tried to chase a loose ball, only for Frey to smother at his feet. The match came to life just before the break, with a misdirected cross from Lyon left-back Aly Cissokho skimming the top of the crossbar. The pendulum then swung decisively Lyon's way as Gilardino was shown a straight red card after going into an aerial challenge with Toulalan with elbows raised.

The home team started the second half intent on making their numerical advantage count, a ferocious 25-metre shot from Lisandro – scorer of four goals in the play-off round – standing out amid the pressure on Frey's goal. Though Lyon kept Fiorentina on the back foot, the Italian side clearly needed no lessons in how to defend, even with ten men, and continued to deny the their opponents clear chances. They survived another close call when substitute Sidney Govou sent a low cross into the box and Gianluca Comotto stretched out a boot in time to deny Lisandro from point-blank range.

Jean II Makoun then sent a glancing effort wide as Lyon continued to struggle before suddenly making the breakthrough. Yet another attack looked to have broken down, only for Govou to flick a pass through to Kim Källström on the right side of the box. His angled cross-shot was only parried by Frey and Pjanić pounced on the rebound to score from close range. Lyon pushed for a second but Lisandro and Govou only brought out the best of the goalkeeper, who also reacted smartly to prevent an own goal by his captain Dario Dainelli to keep his side in contention. The Viola duly pressed forward but a late spell of pressure failed to yield an equaliser and they must look to bounce back against Liverpool FC on 29 September, when Lyon visit Debreceni VSC.

Anelka gives Chelsea headstart while APOEL holds Atlético Madrid

Chelsea FC 1-0 FC Porto

New manager, but a familiar story for Chelsea FC as they got off to their customary winning start in the UEFA Champions League as Nicolas Anelka took the lead role in the absence of Didier Drogba to decide an entertaining game against FC Porto at Stamford Bridge.

The heavens opened, but it could not rain on Carlo Ancelotti's parade as the Italian saw his side continue the winning form which has put them out in front in the Premier League with five successive victories. Yet Ancelotti will be the first to credit the efforts of the Portuguese champions, who went toe to toe with the home team and came close to interrupting Chelsea's march towards a sixth Matchday 1 win in eight attempts.

It took Chelsea time to find their normal fluency in this Group D fixture as Porto adopted a forceful approach, their strength and physicality appearing to unnerve the hosts. Frank Lampard was the first to threaten, but no sooner had Helton pushed that aside than Porto were on the attack with a raking drive from Hulk forcing Petr Čech to save with his knees.

A heavy blow to the face which necessitated lengthy treatment for John Terry further slowed the Chelsea machine, but gradually they got a grip of the conditions and their game. Lampard should have made more of a free header at the far post before the ball fell nicely at the feet of Anelka whose shot struck two defenders before diverting to safety.

Branislav Ivanović, in the mode of José Bosingwa who he was filling in for at right-back, wasted no time in getting forward and from out wide he conjured a number of dangerous crosses. They were tailor-made for Drogba to ram home but without their attacking talisman – who, like Bosingwa, was suspended – the chances went begging. Porto were defending manfully with the giant Fredy Guarín an effective presence in front of the back four. Just before the break Guarín ventured upfield and his header from Álvaro Pereira's cross only just cleared Čech's crossbar.

Hulk again demonstrated his threat to the Chelsea defence at the start of the second half with a deceptive change of direction that fooled Terry, but he opted for another touch and the promise subsided. Anelka showed more decisiveness as he engineered the breakthrough. Fastening onto Salomon Kalou's prod he blasted the ball at Helton and was then alert enough to squeeze the rebound in from a tight angle. Ivanović continued to impress with another sweeping cross finding Kalou at the far post, but Helton was equal to the header with a plunging save. From the corner Ivanović rose highest, but sent his header just over.

Porto made it a testing final 20 minutes for Chelsea as Álvaro Pereira continued to create openings down the left. Substitute Falcao escaped to fire at Čech and then Guarín demanded the goalkeeper stoop low to keep out his effort. With eight minutes remaining Čech was there again to keep out Silvestre Varela's far-post volley, and the night ended disappointingly for the visitors as Fernando was ordered off for a second yellow card.

Atletico Madrid 0-0 APOEL FC

APOEL FC enjoyed a fine start to life in the UEFA Champions League as a disciplined defensive display earned Ivan Jovanović's side an unexpected draw at Club Atlético de Madrid.

Having begun their journey to reach the group stage back in the second qualifying round in July, the Cypriot champions used the experience gained during the summer to frustrate some of the biggest names in Spanish football. Although Diego Forlán twice went close in the final moments, striking the crossbar with a thunderous effort from 25 metres, APOEL can take huge heart from the point gained from their opening Group D encounter.

The new surroundings of the UEFA Champions League failed to fluster APOEL and they very nearly stunned the home supporters in the seventh minute when Kamil Kosowski's cross from the left found Konstantinos Charalambides in space at the far post, Sergio Asenjo coming to Atlético's rescue with a fine stop. Despite decent periods of possession Atlético were unable to find a way through and instead it was APOEL who again came close to an opening goal, Charalambides turning provider with a left-wing free-kick that was narrowly missed by Paulo Jorge.

Sergio Agüero attempted to rouse Atlético, first by winning possession and crossing for Forlán to head harmlessly wide and then bursting through only to shoot straight at Dionisios Chiotis. José Manuel Jurado then should have done better when an error from Altin Haxhi allowed the former RCD Mallorca attacker to run in on goal, but once again Chiotis was on hand to save the day. Neither side had managed a win in their two opening domestic league games and confidence among both teams appeared low as yet another opportunity went begging, Charalambides passing up the opportunity to lift his side's spirits by firing wide when unmarked at the far post.

With the second half beginning to drift into the same pattern as the first, home coach Abel Resino decided to introduce Maxi Rodríguez and the Argentinian made an immediate impact as Los Rojiblancos upped the pace. Jurado was first to spot the widening spaces in the APOEL rearguard when he struck from the edge of the area only for Chiotis to palm away. The Greek goalkeeper then did equally well to beat out a Forlán effort, although the home support was beginning to sense a breakthrough and thought their moment had arrived when Simão set up Agüero, but again Chiotis was equal to it.

Still Atlético came and Forlán went close with a free kick that zipped wide, while APOEL's Marcin Żewłakow might have done better than head Nuno Morais's corner wide. Play swung straight back up the other end and Forlán continued to menace, striking the upright with a drive from distance before being denied by the excellent Chiotis from similar range. APOEL held firm, however, and welcome Chelsea FC to Cyprus on Matchday 2 while Atlético travel to FC Porto, the team that eliminated Resino's side in last season's first knockout round.

Real Madrid wins by five and AC Milan wins by Inzaghi shoots

FC Zürich 2-5 Real Madrid

Two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Real Madrid CF to a winning start in Group C but they had to weather a determined comeback from hosts FC Zürich before wrapping things up late on.

Ronaldo opened the scoring with a 27th minute free-kick, Raúl González added a second from close range seven minutes later and Gonzalo Higuaín fired in the third in first-half added time to seemingly kill the game off. Instead, after Xabi Alonso left the field injured, Zürich hit back with two goals in as many minutes, Xavier Margairaz from the penalty spot and Silvan Aegerter with a 65th minute header, to throw the game wide open until Ronaldo's 89th-minute set-piece sealed the points and Guti completed the scoring.

Zürich were not overawed by their illustrious visitors on their group-stage debut and showed plenty of early initiative – notably with captain Hannu Tihinen trying a cheeky back-heel in a goalmouth mêlée which forced a save from Iker Casillas – before settling for a containment strategy in their own half as the match developed. The only problem with such a strategy is making it work against some of the leading players in the world game. Ronaldo, who had ballooned an earlier free-kick over the bar, made no mistake midway through the half with a 25-metre stinger which flew over the wall before dipping viciously into the roof of Johnny Leoni's net.

The Portugal winger followed up in the 34th minute by directing a header towards Higuaín, who scampered down the right flank before squaring the ball for Raúl to steer in from point-blank range. The Madrid captain returned the favour in first-half added time, slipping a defence-splitting ball through for Higuaín and the Argentinian striker skipped round Tihinen before placing his right-footed shot beyond Leoni. Madrid left the field with Simply the Best playing over the tannoy, and Zürich could not really argue.

As in the first half, Zürich started the second brightly and conjured their best scoring chance thus far in the early exchanges, midfielder Johan Vonlanthen curling a free-kick over to the far post but the waiting Margairaz could only direct his header wide of the target. It was a taste of things to come with more Zürich pressure leading to Philippe Koch's free shot from around the penalty spot which Casillas did well to save. Madrid's luck ran out soon afterwards, though, when Alexandre Alphonse burst clean through their defence and was brought down by Casillas, conceding a penalty which Margairaz gratefully converted in the 64th minute.

The goal gave the hosts a huge lift and a minute later they were just one goal behind when Vonlanthen's corner was met at the near post by Aegerter with a glancing header that gave Casillas no chance. Madrid soaked up the pressure and got an unexpected reward at the end when Ronaldo's tame free-kick was punched by Leoni into the roof of his net. Substitute Guti added further gloss in added time, collecting the ball just inside the Zürich half before surging through to chip the keeper.

Marseille 1-2 AC Milan

AC Milan set their shaky domestic form to one side to get their UEFA Champions League campaign off to a winning start, overcoming old foes Olympique de Marseille 2-1 at the Stade Vélodrome thanks to two trademark Filippo Inzaghi strikes.


The Group C rivals last met in the very first final of the UEFA Champions League era in May 1993, but while the French club won that game 1-0, they were second best on home soil against a Milan side boasting just one win from three Serie A outings. Making his first start of the season, Inzaghi made the most of lax marking to break the deadlock just before the half-hour mark and he was at his predatory best to clinch all three points with 16 minutes remaining, after Gabriel Heinze had revived local hopes shortly into the second half.

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps opted to field an attacking 4-4-2 formation to accommodate newly fit summer signing Lucho in a creative role behind Mamadou Niang and Brandão, and in torrential rain his side made early inroads. Brandão's physical presence quickly posed problems and Niang fired the first real chance over when released down the right, but that came after a moment of real danger at the other end, Charles Kaboré eventually clearing in extremis after the had ball rebounded goalwards following a series of deflections from a corner.

That incident revealed a certain hesitancy in the Marseille defence and Milan profited to full effect to open the scoring after 27 minutes, Clarence Seedorf justifying his selection ahead of Ronaldinho by turning inside Kaboré and angling an excellent cross from the left towards the far post, where the unmarked Inzaghi finished at point-blank range. As if ignoring Inzaghi once was not foolish enough, the home side then gifted him a free header from an Andrea Pirlo free-kick, though this time the veteran predator failed to profit.

Reduced to shooting from distance, in contrast, Marseille nonetheless came close to ending the half on level terms, Benoît Cheyrou rifling Brandão's knock-back towards the top corner, only for goalkeeper Marco Storari to turn his effort over. They began with renewed energy after the interval too, Lucho volleying narrowly wide before Heinze sent the crowd into raptures by rising to head in Cheyrou's free-kick.

With the locals now in full voice, Deschamps's troops sought to add a swift second, with Lucho sending a shot over and Niang just failing to find Brandão after racing on to his own back-heel between Thiago Silva and Gianluca Zambrotta. Lucho then came close to scoring in spite of himself, the ball bouncing wide off his right boot after a Taye Taiwo centre had taken a deflection, but it was Milan who went ahead, Inzaghi beating his marker to arrow in another expert Seedorf cross from the left. His side will now look to build on their winning start at home to FC Zürich on 30 September, when OM face a daunting trip to Real Madrid CF.

Manchester United and Wolfsburg won

Beşiktaş JK 0-1 Manchester United

An opportunist Paul Scholes header 13 minutes from time was enough to give Manchester United FC a winning UEFA Champions League Group B start at Beşiktaş JK.

Beşiktaş beat Liverpool FC here a couple of years ago and made life tough for last season's runners-up throughout. But as time began to run short Scholes pounced to head in a Nani shot parried by home goalkeeper Hakan Arıkan, and begin a campaign United hope will end in the third consecutive final.

From the off the Beşiktaş fans produced their traditional cacophony of noise and with Mert Nobre and Filip Hološko deployed up front by Mustafa Denizli, they poured forward in the first ten minutes. However United, fielding Nani and competition debutant Antonio Valencia on the flanks, soon found their feet and Michael Carrick's long-range shot was tipped over by Hakan, given his chance by Rüştü Reçber's ear problem.

In Saturday's 3-0 derby defeat at Galatasaray AŞ, Serdar Özkan had gone close three times for Beşiktaş and he did so again with a shot from 20 metres out that was just deflected off target. He tried again just before the interval from the same distance out, but this time the ball flew wide without assistance.

Early in the second half Michael Carrick so nearly took advantage of some confusion between Matteo Ferrari and Hakan, but the goalkeeper was able to stop the volley from the off-balance midfielder. The sides were rather cancelling each other out at this stage, and both teams made a change round about the hour mark; first Beşiktaş withdrew the lively Serdar Özkan for the creative Yusuf Şimşek and a few minutes later Sir Alex Ferguson brought both Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov on to form a conventional front two.

Valencia was still United's main threat and twice made Hakan save. But with 13 minutes left Nani got around İbrahim Kaş and Hakan could only parry his shot into the path of Scholes, who gratefully headed in the loose ball for his 22nd UEFA Champions League goal in 109 appearances. Hološko came close to a reply but after he was sent clear, his shot was intercepted by Jonny Evans. That was that for Beşiktaş and they will now aim to kick-start their campaign in a fortnight when they visit PFC CSKA Moskva.

VfL Wolfsburg 3-1 CSKA Moskva

VfL Wolfsburg enjoyed a UEFA Champions League debut to remember as a Grafite hat-trick gave the Bundesliga titleholders an impressive victory against PFC CSKA Moskva.

The Brazilian received a deserved standing ovation on his 89th-minute exit from the VfL Wolfsburg Arena after a clinical display against the Russian visitors, whose ambitions of a positive start to Group B were badly dented by two Grafite goals in the space of six minutes late in the first half. The bustling forward then completed his hat-trick – and Wolfburg's win – four minutes from time to end the hopes of a CSKA side for whom Alan Dzagoev's 76th-minute goal was the silver lining on a cloudy evening in Germany.

Wolfsburg coach Armin Veh had urged his side not to play in awe of their opponents or the occasion, and he would have been heartened by a determined opening. The home team were presented with an early sight of goal when Sergey Ignashevich slipped on the edge of the area, but Christian Gentner's well-struck shot found only the legs of Igor Akinfeev before the Wolfsburg midfielder blasted the follow-up into the bank of home fans behind the goal. With the tireless Josué underpinning Wolfsburg, there was little sign of the fragility that had led them to concede ten goals in their last three league games, and CSKA were rarely seen as an attacking force.

However, despite being in charge for only five days, Juande Ramos has already instilled a prodigious work ethic in his men, which meant Wolfsburg's attacking trio of Edin Džeko, Obafemi Martins and Grafite – starting together for the first time – were stifled for long periods. However, in Zvjezdan Misimović, Wolfsburg have a player with tremendous vision, as the Bosnia-Herzegovina international demonstrated to devastating effect nine minutes from the break. Grafite raced on to a perfectly-weighted pass and beat Akinfeev with the confidence borne of being last season's Bundesliga top scorer.

If the opening goal was the fruit of an instant of inspiration, then Wolfsburg's second soon after was the consequence of a moment of madness. With Akinfeev poised to collect Martins's lofted cross, Deividas Šemberas needlessly tugged Grafite's shirt. The Brazilian striker rose from the turf to dispatch the resulting spot-kick with unerring aplomb.

CSKA emerged from the break in more enterprising mood, but for all their endeavour failed to force Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio into a significant save with lone striker Guilherme finding imposing home centre-backs Andrea Barzagli and Alexander Madlung immovable objects. Only once did the duo falter, and both Alan Dzagoev and substitute Nika Piliev came desperately close to turning in Miloš Krasić's teasing cross, before Dzagoev found space to direct a header narrowly wide.

The visitors got the reward their improved showing deserved when a delightful reverse pass from Guilherme released Dzagoev and the midfielder convincingly beat Benaglio. With the visitors searching for an equaliser Wolfsburg also had their chances as the game opened up in the closing stages, only a fingertip save from Akinfeev denying Misimović before Grafite finally beat the Russian international again to complete a memorable evening for the UEFA Champions League newcomers, as they prepare to go to Manchester United FC in a fortnight.

Juventus Ties while Bayern wins by three

Juventus 1 - 1 Bordeaux

Jaroslav Plašil struck 15 minutes from time to seal a hard-earned point for FC Girondins de Bordeaux in Turin as Juventus struggled to find their flow in driving rain.

Vincenzo Iaquinta had given the stuttering hosts a lead they scarcely deserved just after the hour but Juve, for whom Gianluigi Buffon made a string of wonderful saves, were unable to hold on. Plašil fired in from point-blank range to earn the visitors a Group A point, and Juve's disappointment was exacerbated when Claudio Marchisio spurned a glorious chance to make it 2-1 in the dying seconds.

The hosts had been on the back foot from the off with Fernando, the deep-lying midfielder, eager to make an impression. He almost made a real one inside three minutes, picking up a loose ball, jinking inside three Juve defenders and firing a powerful angled shot that needed a sharp stop from Buffon. There was a real hunger in Bordeaux's play, typified as one full-back, Benoît Trémoulinas, had a shot blocked while Plašil on the other flank was causing problems with his industrious running.

The Bianconeri were fitful and could only boast a snap shot from Fabio Grosso, which sailed over, and a toe-poked half chance by Iaquinta, as noteworthy attempts inside the first 20 minutes. Sebastian Giovinco, in for the injured Diego, gradually found space to exert some influence, however, and his clever footwork gave Amauri a sight at goal which Cédric Carrasso saved. The 22-year-old then tested the former Toulouse FC goalkeeper himself with a thunderous shot on the half-hour.

But La Vecchia Signora were struggling to find their rhythm as the pitch deteriorated under sodden skies. Mistakes crept back into their play and as they retreated Bordeaux twice threatened from corners, Alou Diarra shooting wide and then heading over. The French side continued to turn the screw after the break and were denied by more Buffon heroics as he repelled Yoann Gourcuff's shot after the midfielder had burst into the area. Fabio Cannavaro and Nicola Legrottaglie were both called upon to make last-ditch tackles as Juve threatened to crack.

A pause as Carrasso went off injured allowed Ciro Ferrara's men to take stock, and a subsequent spell of sustained pressure resulted in Cannavaro threading a perfectly-weighted pass into the path of Iaquinta, who rifled low past Carrasso's replacement Ulrich Ramé. Juventus were transformed, and Felipe Melo almost doubled their lead soon after as Ramé tipped wide. The veteran also reacted well to Amauri's glancing header just after Buffon denied Fernando with another show-stopping save.

The Italy No1 could do nothing about the equaliser, though, as Plašil stole in at the far post to tap in after Fernando had flicked Gourcuff's free-kick into his path. Buffon and his team-mates could only look on in dismay when, as they laid siege to the Bordeaux goal in the closing stages, Marchisio sent a fierce effort crashing against the bar.


Maccabi Haifa FC 0 - 3 FC Bayern München

FC Bayern München came on strong in the second half in Tel-Aviv to record a 3-0 victory over Maccabi Haifa FC on opening night of the 2009/10 UEFA Champions League.


Daniel Van Buyten made the breakthrough for the Bundesliga club before Thomas Müller’s late brace wrapped up the points which took Bayern top of Group A. Despite the defeat – only a second in 29 competitive matches for the Israeli champions – Haifa were cheered off the pitch by their fans.

Bayern seemed unfazed by the heat and humidity of a Ramat Gan national stadium draped in Haifa green, putting the hosts under pressure from the start. The power and physicality of Bayern's midfield and defence appeared to preclude any Haifa attempts to develop their attacking game, so it was visiting striker Ivica Olić who caused the early threat. The Croatian international flashed an effort from close range over the crossbar on 25 minutes and then had a header ruled out for offside.

The longer Haifa managed to hang on, so confidence levels rose among Elisha Levi’s players and their supporters. Moments before half-time Eyal Golasa blasted a shot over, a feat emulated by Bastian Schweinsteiger at the opposite end. That exchange was the cue for a more open second-half contest as both sides found space and pushed forward. Yaniv Katan forced Bayern keeper Hans-Jörg Butt into two saves in as many minutes – the first from a powerful right-foot shot from the edge of the area, the second from a weaker attempt with the left after Haifa's captain had turned Daniel Van Buyten.

For Bayern, Arjen Robben forced Nir Davidovitch to make a reflex save from his free-kick, before the Dutchman's countryman Van Buyten silenced the home fans after 63 minutes. When Haifa's defence failed to deal with a corner, the giant defender smashed a right-foot shot past Davidovitch to break the deadlock

Coach Levy made a double substitution as Shlomi Arbeitman and Ali Osman replaced Mohammad Ghadir and Baram Kayal. But more action followed at the Haifa end when Golasa rescued his team by heading Olić's header off the goalline. Still, there were fraught moments to come for Louis van Gaal on the Bayern bench. Vladimer Dvalishvili knocked a ball down for Arbeitman whose clever return flick was met by a Dvalishvili blast that Butt had to tip over. Dvalishvili also headed Katan's pinpoint cross too close to the Bayern custodian.

Bayern showed their hosts how to finish off their approach work in the 85th minute when substitute Andreas Ottl teed up Thomas Müller and his shot from the edge of the box deflected in off Gustavo Boccoli.Three minutes later, Müller struck again. With Haifa's defence sleeping, allowing Mario Gómez had time to measure a cross which the unmarked Müller tapped in at the near post.

Champions League kick off

The race for a place in next May's UEFA Champions League final at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu begins on Tuesday evening, when the group phase gets under way. With the exception of Roma and Valencia, all the continent's major clubs are in contention for a title that was won in thrilling fashion by Barcelona last season.

Heading the field of 32, which includes eight sides making their debuts in the tournament, are powerful quartets from England, Spain and Italy. FIFA.com whets your appetite by previewing the eight sections and picking out the teams and players to watch.

Group A: Juve raring to go
Having put together a strong squad containing seven Italy internationals, Juventus have designs on glory this season. Bayern Munich are expected to occupy the other qualifying slot, despite their faltering start in the Bundesliga, while French champions Bordeaux will be hoping to pounce should either of the big two slip up. For new boys Maccabi Haifa it should be a steep learning curve.

Group B: Easy for United?
Winners in 2008 and runners-up in 2009, Manchester United should have little difficulty in topping a group in which CSKA Moscow, Besiktas and German champions Wolfsburg, the strongest of the debutants, are all entertaining reasonable hopes of finishing second.

Group C: Champions aplenty
FC Zurich face a thankless task as they take on three former winners of the competition. Real Madrid have nine continental crowns to their name, AC Milan seven and Marseille one. Kaka's two reunions with his old team-mates should provide the high points of the pool, while the French giants have the incentive of repeating their 1993 final defeat of I Rossoneri.

Group D: Two places, three contenders
Chelsea embark on yet another bid to win a competition that has so far eluded them with a somewhat depleted Porto and an ambitious Atletico Madrid posing the biggest threat to their qualification hopes. Cypriot aspirants Apoel Nicosia will be out to follow in the footsteps of compatriots Anorthosis Famagusta, who impressed last season.

Group E: Liverpool the team to beat
Slow starters in the Premier League this season, Liverpool can expect an easier ride in this section. Group-phase regulars Lyon and Italy's Fiorentina are expected to contest second place, while Debrecen will be carrying the flag for Hungarian football for the first time since Ferencvaros's appearance 14 years ago.

Group F: Friends reunited
Taking top billing in this section are the two meetings between Spanish and European champions Barcelona and their Italian counterparts Inter Milan, who are making the competition their priority this season. Adding some extra spice will be the returns of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto'o to their former stamping grounds. Andriy Shevchenko has plenty to prove on his return to Dinamo Kiev, while Russian champions Rubin Kazan could also have a say in who tops the group.

Group G: All to play for
There is not much to choose between Sevilla, Rangers and Stuttgart, all of whom can be expected to push hard for the top two places. Romania's Unirea Urziceni will hope to collect a few points on their first appearance at this stage.

Group H: Gunners have the firepower
Arsenal had the good fortune to be pooled with first-timers AZ of the Netherlands and Belgium's Standard Liege, while perennial Greek representatives Olympiacos should press hard for a place in the last 16.

The favourites
Holders Barcelona have held on to the majority of their star players and are widely tipped to mount another strong challenge, as are Manchester United, despite the departures of Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo. Real Madrid should be in the mix as well, as long as Manuel Pellegrini can get all their star acts working in harmony, and Jose Mourinho's lnter Milan have made no secret of their desire to end the season as Europe's top dogs.

Also in the running
Much like Fabio Capello with England, Carlo Ancelotti is in the process of giving Chelsea the steel and confidence they need to land a trophy that has just evaded their grasp in recent seasons. With a minimum of fuss, Juventus have put together one of the most impressive and balanced squads in Europe, and though coach Ciro Ferrara perhaps lacks experience, there is nothing to say he cannot do what the similarly untested Pep Guardiola did last season. Another side to watch out for are Liverpool, who always seem to rise to the occasion in Europe.

Dark horses
AC Milan are banking on Pato to come of age and Ronaldinho to rediscover his best form as they bid to bring back the glory days. And as coach Leonardo has been reminding everyone, they were also written off in 2007, the year they collected the trophy for the seventh time. Arsenal's talented youngsters will surely get their reward one day, while Bayern Munich have the ability to shake off their rusty league form and mount a compelling challenge in a competition they once excelled in.

The stars
Expect the continent's major talents to shine brightly once more: Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Barcelona, Wayne Rooney at Manchester United, new Real Madrid signings Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho at Milan, Didier Drogba at Chelsea, Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and Samuel Eto'o at Inter Milan.

Players to watch
Much is expected of Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, and Diego has the chance to rekindle memories of Michel Platini at Juventus. Michael Owen can make a splash on his return to the big time under Sir Alex Ferguson, while Argentinian striker Diego Milito has the resources to fill the gap left by Ibrahimovic at Inter.

The stats
This year's group-phase line-up comprises ten former continental champions, three of them in Group C.

Two of those sides, Real Madrid and AC Milan, have 16 wins between them and face off at the Santiago Bernabeu on 21 October.

Manchester United and Porto are both making their 15th appearance in the group phase.

Arsenal have qualified for this stage of the competition 12 times in a row, the last four of them via the third qualifying round.

Have your say
Which big guns will fail to reach the last 16? Which players will illuminate the group stage? Click on 'Add your comment' to share your views with fans across the world.