Today in the Champions League (9/12) (ESPN.com)

deadringer · 09-12-2006, 05:39 PM

Champions League review: Barca impress, Inter stutter

Barcelona began the defence of their Champions League crown with a comfortable 5-0 victory over Levski Sofia at the Nou Camp.

Levski are the first Bulgarian team to reach the group stages of Europe's premier club competition but were given a tough examination by Barca, who forged ahead after six minutes through Andres Iniesta.

Ludovic Giuly doubled the Catalans' lead six minutes before the break and captain Carles Puyol added a third in the 49th minute. Samuel Eto'o fired in a fourth for Barcelona nine minutes later and Ronaldinho wrapped up the win.

The margin of victory meant they led Group A ahead of Chelsea, the English champions having beaten Werder Bremen 2-0 at Stamford Bridge through Michael Essien's first-half goal and Michael Ballack's penalty in the second period.

Group C remains wide open after a goalless draws between Galatasaray and Bordeaux and in Holland between PSV Eindhoven and Liverpool.

Former Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes scored a hat-trick as Valencia came from behind to beat Olympiacos 4-2 in Piraeus.

Michalis Konstantinou put the Greek side in front (28) as they defended a proud 10-match unbeaten home record against Spanish opposition in Europe.

However, Morientes hit back with two goals in five minutes (34 and 39) to give Valencia, the lead. Olympiacos hit back through Nery Castillo (66) but the visitors forged back ahead as David Albiol's 85th-minute goal made it 3-2 and Morientes grabbed his third in the final minute.

Roma are the Group D leaders after beating Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 in the Italian capital with goals from Rodrigo Taddei, Francesco Totti, Daniele de Rossi and David Pizarro.

Bayern Munich are the early leaders in Group B after spanking Spartak Moscow 4-0 at the Allianz Arena.

Claudio Pizarro gave Bayern the lead three minutes into the second half before another South American forward - Paraguayan Roque Santa Cruz - claimed a second in the 52nd minute. Bastian Schweinsteiger made sure of the points with a third for the Bundesliga champions in the 71st minute and Hasan Salihamidzic added a fourth five minutes from time.

A second-half goal from Marco Caneira proved enough for Sporting Lisbon as they beat Inter Milan 1-0 at the Jose Alvalade Stadium. Former Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira was sent off for Inter in the second half for a second bookable offence.

JetsFan2012 · 09-12-2006, 05:59 PM

glad to hear Inter lost. Roma is going to be a good team this year, in the CL and in Serie A (I predict a big year for De Rossi). Milan plays tomorow, so that should be interesting.

New York Mick · 09-12-2006, 06:49 PM

Tomorrow is the big one. Celtic have a tough match ahead of them. Good luck Bhoys.

JetsFan2012 · 09-12-2006, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New York Mick

Tomorrow is the big one. Celtic have a tough match ahead of them. Good luck Bhoys.

some Chinese midfielder from Celtic said his own team doesn't stand a chance against Man Utd. So much for confidence in your teamates. If I can find the article again I'll post it.

New York Mick · 09-12-2006, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauliec

some Chinese midfielder from Celtic said his own team doesn't stand a chance against Man Utd. So much for confidence in your teamates. If I can find the article again I'll post it.

Shunsuke Nakamura just jealous because he seen the size of the rest of the teams cocks.

JetsFan2012 · 09-13-2006, 03:16 PM

Celtic, Arsenal, and Milan are playing right now... anyone watching them? I was tempted to purchase the live stream on uefa.com but I'm following the "match centre" instead

deadringer · 09-13-2006, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauliec

Celtic, Arsenal, and Milan are playing right now... anyone watching them? I was tempted to purchase the live stream on uefa.com but I'm following the "match centre" instead

i'm watching the arsenal match, they're playing like garbage, but are up 1-0 at the half on a questionable penalty that got Hamburg's keeper sent off...

JetsFan2012 · 09-13-2006, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadringer

i'm watching the arsenal match, they're playing like garbage, but are up 1-0 at the half on a questionable penalty that got Hamburg's keeper sent off...

how are you watching it?

btw, Milan is up 2-0 at the half, two great headers by Inzaghi and the new kid Gourcuff.

Man U. and Celtic looks like a good match, tied at 2

New York Mick · 09-13-2006, 03:49 PM

I'm following the match on Matchcast. I can't get over to the bar so this is the next best thing.

3-2 Man U

Funny Nakamura is one of the guys that scores.

09-12-2006, 05:39 PM	#1
deadringer Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Camden, NJ Posts: 4,746	Today in the Champions League (9/12) (ESPN.com) Champions League review: Barca impress, Inter stutter Barcelona began the defence of their Champions League crown with a comfortable 5-0 victory over Levski Sofia at the Nou Camp. Levski are the first Bulgarian team to reach the group stages of Europe's premier club competition but were given a tough examination by Barca, who forged ahead after six minutes through Andres Iniesta. Ludovic Giuly doubled the Catalans' lead six minutes before the break and captain Carles Puyol added a third in the 49th minute. Samuel Eto'o fired in a fourth for Barcelona nine minutes later and Ronaldinho wrapped up the win. The margin of victory meant they led Group A ahead of Chelsea, the English champions having beaten Werder Bremen 2-0 at Stamford Bridge through Michael Essien's first-half goal and Michael Ballack's penalty in the second period. Group C remains wide open after a goalless draws between Galatasaray and Bordeaux and in Holland between PSV Eindhoven and Liverpool. Former Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes scored a hat-trick as Valencia came from behind to beat Olympiacos 4-2 in Piraeus. Michalis Konstantinou put the Greek side in front (28) as they defended a proud 10-match unbeaten home record against Spanish opposition in Europe. However, Morientes hit back with two goals in five minutes (34 and 39) to give Valencia, the lead. Olympiacos hit back through Nery Castillo (66) but the visitors forged back ahead as David Albiol's 85th-minute goal made it 3-2 and Morientes grabbed his third in the final minute. Roma are the Group D leaders after beating Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 in the Italian capital with goals from Rodrigo Taddei, Francesco Totti, Daniele de Rossi and David Pizarro. Bayern Munich are the early leaders in Group B after spanking Spartak Moscow 4-0 at the Allianz Arena. Claudio Pizarro gave Bayern the lead three minutes into the second half before another South American forward - Paraguayan Roque Santa Cruz - claimed a second in the 52nd minute. Bastian Schweinsteiger made sure of the points with a third for the Bundesliga champions in the 71st minute and Hasan Salihamidzic added a fourth five minutes from time. A second-half goal from Marco Caneira proved enough for Sporting Lisbon as they beat Inter Milan 1-0 at the Jose Alvalade Stadium. Former Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira was sent off for Inter in the second half for a second bookable offence.

09-13-2006, 03:49 PM	#9
New York Mick Hall Of Fame Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ft Lauderdale by way of New York Posts: 13,208	I'm following the match on Matchcast. I can't get over to the bar so this is the next best thing. 3-2 Man U Funny Nakamura is one of the guys that scores. Last edited by New York Mick; 09-13-2006 at 03:52 PM.

09-12-2006, 05:59 PM	#2
JetsFan2012 Waterboy Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 0	glad to hear Inter lost. Roma is going to be a good team this year, in the CL and in Serie A (I predict a big year for De Rossi). Milan plays tomorow, so that should be interesting.

09-12-2006, 06:49 PM	#3
New York Mick Hall Of Fame Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ft Lauderdale by way of New York Posts: 13,208	Tomorrow is the big one. Celtic have a tough match ahead of them. Good luck Bhoys.

09-13-2006, 03:16 PM	#6
JetsFan2012 Waterboy Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 0	Celtic, Arsenal, and Milan are playing right now... anyone watching them? I was tempted to purchase the live stream on uefa.com but I'm following the "match centre" instead