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Champions League group stage, day 2

A disappointing evening for La Liga teams on Tuesday, with Barcelona losing 3-2 at Paris Saint Germain, and Athletic Bilbao beaten 2-1 at BATE Borisov. Barcelona were always behind in the Parque des Princes stadium, and although Messi and Neymar were on target, they fell to their first defeat of the season. Athletic meanwhile went two down in the first half, and although Aduríz got one back on the stroke of half time, they were not able to save anything in the end. Better results though on Wednesday, with both Madrid teams clocking up narrow victories. Atlético Madrid beat Italian champions Juventus 1-0 after a dour battle, Arda Turan getting the only goal with a quarter of an hour to go to leave all four sides level on three points. And Real Madrid had more problems than expected before running out 1-2 winners at Ludogorets, Ancelotti’s team actually falling behind before a Ronaldo penalty and a late strike by substitute Benzema turned the scoreline around. (01.10.14)

Ludogorets 1 - Real Madrid 2

Real Madrid had more problems than expected before running out 1-2 winners at Ludogorets. Despite having to play the game in Sofia, some 335 kilometers from their home town Razgrad, a 42,000 capacity crowd turned out for what for them was their own cup final. The locals were not to be overawed though, and they went close early on before Dani Abalo headed on a corner for Marcelinho to head them in front. Chicharito won his side a penalty soon afterwards, but Stoyanov guessed correctly and kept out Ronaldo’s spot kick. Scottish referee Craig Thomson then ruled out a strike from Ronaldo for a non-existent offside, and soon afterwards awarded a hotly disputed second penalty which Ronaldo drilled home to level the scores. Casillas and Stoyanov both had important saves to make as the game swung from end to end, Chicharito missed the easiest of chances and Ronaldo had a shot cleared off the line by Minov. Ancelotti finally had to turn to Benzema, Kroos and James though later on, and with a quarter of an hour to go Benzema got on the end of Marcelo’s cross to score the winner. (01.10.14)

Atlético Madrid 1 – Juventus 0

Atlético Madrid got their Champions League campaign back on track after beating Italian champions Juventus 1-0 in their second group game. As expected it was a dour battle, both teams giving no quarter as the two defences came out on top. As a result there were very few shots at goal throughout, Mandzukic testing Buffon with a long effort midway through the first half, and Pogba curling a shot wide of the post shortly before the break. Atleti did feel though that they could have had a penalty in each half following hand balls by Vidal and Cáceres, although the German referee ruled that both were accidental. In the end however the match was decided by a single goal (the first that Juventus have let in all season), Arda Turan getting ahead of Lichtsteiner to turn in Juanfran’s cross with a quarter of an hour to go. Raúl García came close to putting through his own net after that, and Morata came on to cause a few problems, but in the end a victory for Simeone’s side which leaves all four teams level on three points. (01.10.14)

Paris St. Germain 3 - Barcelona 2

Barcelona suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 3-2 to Paris Saint Germain in their second group game. Luis Enrique’s side had not let in a single goal in their first seven games, but with only ten minutes gone David Luiz poked a shot past Ter Stegen after a Lucas free kick fell to him. Just over a minute later a quick passing move with Neymar and Iniesta set up Messi to equalize, but midway through the first half Verratti restored the lead, heading in Motta’s corner on the far post after the keeper misjudged his leap. Iniesta and Messi went close later in the first half, but ten minutes after the interval Matuidi got on the end of a Van der Wiel cross to score his sides third. Once again Barça replied quickly, Neymar steering a shot in off the far post, but Ter Stegen had to prevent Pastore from scoring again soon afterwards. Luis Enrique eventually threw on his two star youngsters Munir and Sandro, but Marquitos blocked an effort from Jordi Alba as it was going in the net, and Munir fired a long shot just past the upright. A wake-up call for the Catalans, and they now have to get positive results from their next two ties against Ajax to stay on track for the knock-out stage. (30.09.14)

BATE Borisov 2 - Athletic Bilbao 1

Athletic Bilbao lost 2-1 to BATE Borisov in their second group game, and the Basque side ended the day at the bottom of their group with just a single point to date. The Belarus side took the lead with just under twenty minutes gone, an unmarked Poliakov turning the ball in on the far post after Signevich headed on a Maksim Volodko corner, and a few minutes later Signevich volleyed a shot against the post with Iraizoz beaten. With four minutes to go to the break the locals went further ahead, Karnitski’s shot hitting Iraola’s foot to send Iraizoz the wrong way, but on the stroke of half time Athletic got one back after good work by Muniain, Aduríz beating Chernik with a shot on the turn. After the break though Borisov carved out several more chances, with Iraizoz having to save from Signevich and Karnitski, and Maksim firing a shot wide. Valverde’s side did improve later on, Aduríz going close a couple of times and Chernik having to push a long shot by Susaeta over the top, but they were unable to find the goal they were looking for, and their recent run of disappointing results continues. (30.09.14)