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News Archive

Champions League, day two

A late goal from Di María gave Real Madrid a 0-1 victory at Auxerre in their second group G match. Mourinho's side top their mini-league after Ajax and AC Milan drew 1-1 in the other group game. Less favourable results for Spanish sides the following day though, with Barcelona held to a draw at Rubin Kazan for the second year in a row. Guardiola's side fell behind to a first half Noboa penalty, but Villa made it 1-1 from a second penalty after the restart. And later in the evening Valencia were beaten 0-1 by Manchester United, Chicharito Hernández getting the only goal with five minutes to go. (29.09.10)

Rubin Kazan 1 - Barcelona 1

For the second year in a row Barcelona were held to a draw at Rubin Kazan at the group stage. The Russian team are rapidly becoming Barça's new bogey side after also beating them in the Nou Camp last season, and this time they put up a solid wall of a defence which the Catalans were not able to find a way through. Things might have been different if Pedro had scored rather than turning Villa's pass on to the bar on the quarter hour mark. But after that chances were few and far between, and Rubin caught them out a few minutes later with a rare counter-attack which ended with Alves giving away a penalty on Kaleshin which Noboa converted. Piqué, Pedro and Villa went close either side of half time, but fifteen minutes in to the second half Barça were awarded their own penalty after Salukvadze fouled Iniesta, Villa making no mistake from the spot. Guardiola brought on Messi after that, and he carved out three or four chances without success. Martins almost won it for the locals however when he headed against the post, but Bojan and Iniesta could also have scored as both sides tired near the end. (29.09.10)

Valencia 0 - Manchester United 1

Later in the evening Valencia were beaten 0-1 by Manchester United, a set back to their aspirations after their opening victory against Bursaspor. Berbatov fired an early chance just wide of the upright, but after that the locals had the better chances, with Soldado in particular heading over the top with the goal at his mercy. Pablo drove an angled shot wide of the post after the restart, and Rio Ferdinand did well to cut out a couple of attacks by Pablo and Soldado, but César had to be at his best to keep out Berbatov at the other end. Ferguson turned to Chicharito Hernández though, and a couple of minutes after the Mexican striker hit the post, he picked up a cross from Macheda and cut between the two central defenders before drilling a low shot in to the net. A first defeat for the Ches this season, and with Rangers beating Bursaspor as well they drop down to third in the table. (29.09.10)

Auxerre 0 - Real Madrid 1

A late goal from Di María gave Real Madrid a 0-1 victory at Auxerre in their second group G match. Against a side struggling in the French league, Madrid were favourites to win. But they were almost caught out in the opening minutes when Oliech charged down Casillas's clearance but couldn't stop the ball going out of play. After that though e visitors were on top, Cristiano Ronaldo bringing a good save out of Sorin, Higuaín having a shot cleared off the line by Chafni with the keeper beaten, and Marcelo getting behind the defence to connect with a long pass from Xabi Alonso only to see Sorin keep him out. After the restart Ronaldo tested the keeper again with a long free kick, but with the clock running down Mourinho turned to Özil and then Di María. There was a moment of panic when Pepe headed a long cross against his own upright, but a minute or so later Di María controlled a cross from Özil to fire an angled shot in to the net. That was enough to win it, and with Ajax and AC Milan drawing 1-1 in the other group game, Mourinho's side top their mini-league. (28.09.10)