Spanish teams had another good week in day 2 of the Champions League, with Real Madrid and Barcelona recording convincing victories and Valencia drawing away. Details were as follows:

Champions League

Group B: Barcelona 4 - Fiorentina 2
Barcelona played their best football of the season to move clear at the top of group B with 6 points out of 6. Figo and Luis Enrique returned to the side and scored a goal each within the first ten minutes, (Figo has been suspended for 3 games in the Spanish league and Luis Enrique was out of favour with Van Gaal). Figo almost scored again ten minutes from half time, his chipped shot from outside of the area hitting the crossbar. In the second half Fiorentina came out strongly, and they pulled one back through Amoroso when Batistuta's free kick deflected off his heel. Their revival was short lived however as Rivaldo scored twice in two minutes, the first from a penalty after Repka and Padalino sandwiched Figo in the area, and the second an individual effort after playing a one two with Luis Enrique. Ex Barcelona midfielder Guillermo Amor came on in place of Batistuta for Fiorentina to a standing ovation from the home crowd fifteen minutes from time, and two minutes later another Fiorentina substitute Chiesa reduced the gap with a first time shot. Barcelona lead the group with a maximum six points ahead of Arsenal who have four. The Londoners are Barça's next opponents in the Nou Camp next Wednesday night.

Group E: Real Madrid 4 - Molde 1
Another goal-scoring feast at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, with Real Madrid winning comfortably against weak opposition in front of only 15,000 supporters (including around 300 Norwegians). The man of the match was Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Savio, who scored two goals and made a third. Toshack was without keeper Ilgner and Hierro, Sanchis and Geremi in defence, Seedorf (long term injury) in midfield and Raúl up front, and Casillas, Iván Campo, Iván Helguera and Anelka came in to the side. The first goal came just before the half hour when Morientes got ahead of the Molde defence to head in Savio's cross. Five minutes earlier Lund had hit the crossbar from a long shot, but after the first goal it was all Madrid. Ten minutes into the second half Toshack brought on Guti for Anelka, and it was the midfielder who provided the wall for Savio to cut through the Norwegian defence shortly afterwards for the second goal. Lydersen brought down Guti in the penalty area a few minutes later and Savio converted the spot kick for the third. Molde pulled one back ten minutes from the end when Lindbaek headed in Lund's pass, but in the next minute Guti re-established the three goal margin. Madrid are now second on four points behind Oporto, who visit the Spanish capital next Tuesday.

Group F: PSV Eindhoven 1 - Valencia 1
Valencia seem to be saving all their efforts for the Champions League, and they moved up to the top of their group with a valiant away draw in Holland. The Spanish side surprised their opponents with an early spectacular goal from Piojo López. Carboni's long ball from the halfway line was met first time by López on the edge of the penalty area, and his shot flew past Waterreus and into the net. PSV came back strongly and Van Nistelrrooij could have scored on a couple of occasions, but Mendieta also came close for Valencia and Piojo missed an easy chance at the start of the second half. Shortly after the hour Cañizares had to go off with a knee injury (which will probably keep him out for 3 months), and Palop took over under the sticks. Within a few minutes he was facing a penalty after Pellegrino was harshly judged to have pulled down Van Nistelrroij in the area. The Dutch striker took the kick himself and placed it hard and to the right of Palop for the equaliser. Valencia now lead the group on goal average ahead of Bayern Munich, who they play in Germany next Tuesday.