Champions league - second phase

Barcelona 0 - Liverpool 0

Barcelona made life difficult for themselves after they were held to a 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp by Liverpool. A draw between Roma and Galatasaray in the other group B match means that the Catalans will have to beat the Turkish side in Istanbul in their last game to be sure of qualifying for the quarter final stage, although a draw could be enough depending on the result of the other tie between Liverpool and Roma. The importance of this fixture meant that Rivaldo played with pain-killing injections in his injured knee, and it remains to be seen whether he will now be fit for next Saturday's vital clash with Real Madrid. Liverpool were missing the injured Michael Owen, but they had the best of the opening minutes with Heskey and Gerrard both going close. From then on though Barça dominated, with Saviola in particular causing problems for the visitors' defence, and Christanval hitting the post with a header in the second half. Liverpool held on though to repeat last season's UEFA cup semi-final result and keep their hopes alive of reaching the next round. Those of a nervous disposition should not switch on their TV sets next Tuesday. (13.03.02)

Arsenal 0 - Deportivo La Coruña 2

Deportivo La Coruña qualified for the quarter final stage with another competent display of football, beating Arsenal for the second time in this group stage by 0-2. The excellent Valerón gave them the lead on the half hour mark after good work by Fran and Romero down the left flank, and only a reflex save by Seaman stopped him from adding a second a few minutes later. Then a brilliant move involving four or five players left the Arsenal defence in disarray, and Naybet took advantage to fire in a shot which Stepanovs could only deflect into his own net. For a few minutes in the second half the story continued, with Seaman saving twice and Diego Tristán hitting the bar with a free kick. But the English side gradually got back in the game, and substitute Ljungberg was awarded a penalty when Molina brought him down in the area. However the keeper guessed right to turn away Henry's spot kick, his second penalty save in three games. Depor lead the table on ten points, and a draw next week at home to Bayer Leverkusen will be enough to see them through as group winners.

Real Madrid 3 - Sparta Prague 0

Real Madrid lined up with nine changes from their first choice side, but they still managed a comfortable win against a weak Sparta Prague. The first half was fairly dull, with neither side causing much trouble for the opposing keeper. However the introduction of Savio for the limping McManaman shortly after half time proved the turning point of the match. The Brazilian forward had been out for five months with an injury, but he proved he was back to full fitness by putting through a return pass for Solari to open the scoring only minutes after coming on. Del Bosque then brought on Miñambres, and with his first touch he laid the ball across for Guti to beat Ceh with a shot from the edge of the area. And then Savio added a third goal heading back Raúl Bravo's long cross in from the right. Novotny hit the bar as Madrid relaxed, with their minds more on next Saturday's game at Barcelona than on this match, but they had done enough to give them their fifth win out of five games and assure them of top spot in their group. (12.03.02)