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.