News Archive

Champions League, day 2

Real Madrid made it two wins out of two after beating Malmö 0-2 on Wednesday evening, Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a goal in each half to take him past Raúl’s all-time club record of 323 goals in all competitions. The other two La Liga sides lost however, although wins on the opening day means that both stay second in their respective groups. Atlético Madrid were beaten 1-2 by Benfica, Correa’s first half opener overturned by strikes from Gaitán and Guedes either side of half time. And Sevilla were defeated 2-0 by Juventus, Spanish striker Morata heading the first for the Italians, and Zaza getting the second near the end. (30.09.15)

Problems for Barcelona in their first game without the injured Leo Messi, although in the end they came back from a goal down to beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1. Papadopoulos headed the German side into the lead following a corner midway through the first half, and it was not until the last ten minutes that Sergi Roberto and then Luis Suárez managed to beat Leno. Barça go top of their group though, and Valencia’s Champions League campaign is back on track as well after they won 0-1 at Olympique Lyon. Feghouli fired home the only goal just before the break, but it took a string of saves from keeper Jaume Domenech to ensure the three points in the end. (29.09.15)

Malmö 0 - Real Madrid 2

Real Madrid made it two wins out of two after beating Malmö 0-2 on Wednesday evening, Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a goal in each half to take him past Raúl’s all-time club record of 323 goals in all competitions. The Portuguese striker tested Wiland a couple of times before Kovacic and Isco combined to set him up for the opening goal on the half hour mark. Keylor Navas had been busy before that however to save from Tinnerholm and Rosenburg, and Rosenburg headed just wide a few minutes after the restart, but Carvajal came close to a second when he hit the bar just before the interval, and Wiland did well to keep out Ronaldo and Cheryshev later on. Any chance that the Swedish side had of saving a point though ended with ten minutes to go when Yotún was sent off for a second bookable offence, and with the game coming to an end Ronaldo got on the end of a Lucas Vázquez cross to wrap things up. (30.09.15)

Atlético Madrid 1 – Benfica 2

Atlético Madrid were surprisingly beaten 1-2 by Benfica in their second group game, although a draw in the other tie between Astana and Galatasaray meant that Simeone’s side are still second in the table. The Colchoneros had not let in a single goal in their last seven Champions League matches at home, and when Correa volleyed a shot past Julio César after Griezmann played on a Juanfran pass they seemed well on their way to victory. Jackson Martínez headed against the post and then brought a good save out of the keeper, Correa firing the rebound over the top, but with eight minutes to go to the break Gaitán picked up a long cross from Semedo and thrashed a shot wide of Oblak. That provoked some ugly scenes as a group of Benfica rowdies fired flares at the Atlético fans, and after things quietened down, Guedes got on the end of a Gaitán cross to give the Portuguese side the lead. Tiago, Correa and Fernando Torres all came up against Julio César after that, but the visitors held on to land a crushing blow to their hosts just day before they face local rivals Real Madrid in the league. (30.09.15)

Juventus 2 - Sevilla 0

Sevilla lost their second group game at Juventus, the Italians running out 2-0 winners to move clear at the top of their mini-league. Both teams had won their opening ties, but the Andalusians hardly managed a shot at goal all evening, their best effort a long Reyes free kick which Buffon had little problems dealing with shortly before the break. Pogba, Morata, Hernanes, Khedira and Dybala lined up to take pot-shots at Sergio Rico’s goal, and with three minutes to go to the break Spanish international Morata got on the end of Barzagli’s cross to put the locals in front. Rico had to save from Dybala, Khedira and Cuadrado after the interval, and with three minutes left on the clock substitute Zaza picked up a loose ball in midfield and ran on to shoot low past the keeper. Despite the defeat Sevilla remain second in their group for now, although they have a tricky double header against Manchester City coming up next. (30.09.15)

Barcelona 2 – Bayer Leverkusen 1

Problems for Barcelona in their first game without the injured Leo Messi, although in the end they came back from a goal down to beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1. Rakitic and Sandro tested Leno early on, but Ter Stegen had to save from Chicharito, and Bellarabi and Kampl went close before Papadopoulos got in front of his marker to head Calhanoglu’s corner in from the near post. Ter Stegen was in action again soon afterwards to keep out Bellarabi, but Neymar hit the post, and Sandro and Rakitic both had shots blocked before the break. Chicharito missed a sitter after the restart, and later in the first half Sandro, Neymar and Luis Suárez all failed to convert chances. Things looked grim when Iniesta limped off to join an ever growing injury list, but with ten minutes to go Sergi Roberto poked in the equalizer after Leno could only push out a shot from Munir, and just two minutes later Luis Suárez connected with Munir’s cross to fire home the winner. (29.09.15)

Olympique Lyon 0 - Valencia 1

Valencia’s Champions League campaign is back on track after they won 0-1 at Olympique Lyon, the result taking them up to second in their group. After the defeat against Zenit this was a must win match, and Piatti brought a good save out of Lopes early on. Jaume Domenech had to be at his best to push a Valbuena free kick onto the post a few minutes later, but Abdennour and Feghouli both hit the woodwork as well before Feghouli connected with Piatti’s pass to fire a shot in off the crossbar. After the interval however the French side took control, and only a string of first class saves by Domenech from Lacazette, Tolisso and Umtiti amongst others ensured the three points in the end. (29.09.15)