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Champions League group stage, day 1

Mixed results for last season’s finalists in the opening day of this year’s Champions League, Real Madrid thrashing Basel 5-1, but Atlético Madrid beaten 3-2 by Olympiacos. The following day a much changed Barcelona side had more problems than expected to beat APOEL Nicosia, a first half header from Piqué giving them a 1-0 victory, and Athletic Bilbao began their group stage with a 0-0 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk in the new San Mamés stadium. (17.09.14)

Barcelona 1 - APOEL Nicosia 0

A much changed Barcelona side had more problems than expected before running out 1-0 winners against APOEL Nicosia. Luis Enrique made no less than nine changes to the starting line-up he put out at the weekend, giving debuts to keeper Ter Stegen and young midfielder Sergi Samper. The Cypriot team clearly came to defend and look to score on the breakaway, and once again Barça had most of the possession, with Messi bringing an early save out of ex Barcelona B keeper Urko Pardo with a well-struck free kick. A few minutes later Piqué headed the locals in front from another Messi free kick, and Messi and Neymar tested Pardo and his defence again before the break. However they were unable to get the second goal they needed to be sure of the result, and the visitors grew in confidence after the restart, De Vicenti seeing a shot deflected by Bartra, and then missing a good chance, and Ter Stegen having to save from Manduca in the dying minutes. Three points in the end though, and with Ajax and Paris St. Germain drawing in the other group game, Barcelona currently top their group. (17.09.14)

Athletic Bilbao 0 - Shakhtar Donetsk 0

Athletic Bilbao began the group stage with a 0-0 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk in the new San Mamés stadium. A capacity crowd turned up to see the Lions return to Europe’s top competition after a long absence, but they were up against an experienced team who were looking to get something from this match. Both sides had chances in the first half, Mikel Rico shooting wide and Ibai Gómez hitting the side netting with a free kick, and Stepanenko testing Iraizoz, and Luiz Adriano and Douglas Costa both going close. After the interval Pyatov had to save a Beñat free kick and a late effort from Susaeta, and Ibai Gómez and Muniain failed to find the target. But Laporte was lucky to be let off a penalty claim when a cross hit him on the arm at close range, Iraizoz had to push a long effort by Costa around the post, and Stepanenko got the ball in the net only for the play to be pulled up as Kuchar was offside in the build-up. Could have been better, but Athletic at least have a point on the board. (17.09.14)

Real Madrid 5 - Basel 1

The best possible start for defending champions Real Madrid, Ancelotti’s side bouncing back from their weekend defeat with a convincing 5-1 victory over Basel. With less than half the game gone they were already four up, Suchy deflecting Nacho’s cross in to his own net for the first and Bale running on to Modric’s long pass to lift the ball over the keeper and run it in to the net for the second. Just a minute later Modric and Bale combined to set up Ronaldo for the third, and James got the fourth after Benzema’s shot was saved. A moment of complacency allowed Derlis González to get one back on a quick break-away, and after the restart Casillas had to be at his best to keep out González again. But with ten minutes to go Benzema finally got his name on the scoresheet as well after a quick passing move involving Kroos, Benzema and Ronaldo, and the fans were back on their side. (16.09.14)

Olympiacos 3 - Atlético Madrid 2

Not the beginning last year’s losing finalists Atlético Madrid were looking for though, a 3-2 defeat against Michel’s Olympiacos leaving them at a disadvantage in what could be a tricky group. Once more Simeone had to watch the game from the stands, this time serving out a ban from the end of last season, but he decided beforehand to give a run out to Oblak instead of Moyà. The new keeper was beaten early on though by an angled shot from Masuaku following a short corner, and with just over half an hour gone ex Barcelona forward Afellay made it two after Chori Domínguez crossed in from the left wing. Mandzukic headed one back from Ansaldi’s cross before the interval, and substitute Griezmann came on to cause a few problems for ex Atlético keeper Roberto. However Mitroglou scored a third with a shot on the turn after picking up a Kasami centre, and although Griezmann got on the end of a Koke cross to score a second for the visitors with four minutes to go, the goal came too late to save the result. (16.09.14)