Tuesday's Champions League

Real Contenders

On Tuesday, the Champions League group stage got under way. In the 'Group of Champions', Manchester City travelled to the Santiago Bernabéu to face Real Madrid, in a match that looked as mouth-watering on paper, as it was on the night.

After a goalless first half, with Real missing countless chances and some superb saves from the Man City Keeper Joe Hart, City stunned Madrid. Yaya Toure countered and found an unmarked Edin Dzeko, who slotted home the opener. The Spanish Champions responded well and Brazilian left-back Marcelo cut inside onto his right foot and his strike, took a deflection off Javi Garcia, before nestling in the back of the net. City again surprised everyone, when Aleksander Kolorov's free-kick deceived everyone in white and navy and found the net of Iker Casillas' goal. The English Champions led with five minutes to play, but Real yet again fought back, but this time more emphatically. Karim Benzema received the ball back-to-goal on the edge of the City box before turning and almost effortlessly striking past Joe Hart at his near post; this second Madrid equaliser gave them the impetus and it showed in the last minute of normal time, when Cristiano Ronaldo's shot dipped and beat Hart, the City stopper was left unsighted after Vincent Kompany, seemed to duck underneath the ball. A defeat to start with for City, but many positives to take away from this difficult match.

Jose Mourinho celebrating (foreground), whilst Marcelo congratulates Ronaldo on hitting a late winner

Dortmund Hold Off Ajax

In the other encounter in Group D, Ajax crossed the border into Germany to face Borussia Dortmund. Robert Lewandowski's powerful winner three minutes from time spared the blushes of team-mate Mats Hummels, who missed a second-half penalty for the German Champions. The Borussians deserved to win after dominating most of the game, but Christian Eriksen, could and probably should have put Ajax ahead in the first-half after seeing his one-on-one chance superbly saved by Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller.

Wenger Watches On

In Group B, Arsene Wenger watched his Arsenal side from the stands, after having a three match touchline ban imposed, after an outburst after last season's exit. Arsenal came from behind in Montpellier, after Younes Belhanda's early penalty put last season's surprise French Champions ahead. After the goal Arsenal looked much brighter and were rewarded with two goals in as many minutes, when firstly, Lukas Podolski restored parity with a powerful strike. Gervinho soon put the Gunners ahead, after persistent play from Montpellier old-boy Olivier Giroud found Carl Jenkinson, whose cross was swept home from close-range.

Whilst, in Greece, Schalke beat Olympiacos by two goals to one, courtesy of goals from Benedikt Howedes and a composed finish from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to seal the win, despite an equaliser from Algerian international Djamel Abdoun.

Zagreb's Manager Loses Unbeaten Tenure

Ante Čačić's 33 unbeaten tenure came to an end as Dinamo Zagreb's manager on Tuesday when FC Porto visited the Stadion Maksimir. FC Porto captain Lucho Gonzalez, for the past Champions, opened the scoring before half-time, despite receiving tragic news before kick-off that his Father had passed away. The Portuguese side dominated second half proceedings and in stoppage time Steven Defour rounded off a fine display, by making the win safe.

In Group A, moneybags Paris Saint Germain outclassed Dynamo Kiev at the Parc des Princes. The first two goals for PSG were scored by AC Milan old-boys, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, from the penalty spot, and Thiago Silva. Former Chelsea centre half Alex made it three before half time. Dynamo Kiev got a consolation three minutes from time through Miguel Veloso. PSG regained a three goal advantage in stoppage time when Javier Pastore.

Malaga's Magnificent Debut

Champions League newboys Malaga began their campaign with a pulsating victory over Russian side Zenit St Petersburg. 20 year-old Isco shone for Malaga, scoring twice, once in either half. It was Isco, below, who put Malaga ahead inside three minutes, before Javier Saviola scored his second goal in three days to give the Spanish side an early two-goal advantage. Zenit created chances, but they were wasteful in-front of goal. Malaga capitalised and took full advantage in the 76th minute when Isco capped a fine personal display.

Isco celebrating scoring Malaga's first Champions League goal.

 

Jeers of the San Siro

AC Milan have started the Serie A season slowly and this was no different. The San Siro crowd were not impressed by this showing from the Rossoneri and when Scottish referee Willie Collum blow the full-time whistle, boo's rang around the ground. Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri is now under serious pressure from the AC faithful. RSC Anderlecht's goalkeeper Silvio Proto made some fine saves and it was his heroics from Flamini and El Shaarawy that gained the Belgian Champions the point. There are whispers at the Italian club, that former Inter Milan manager Rafael Benetiez could be in line to replace under fire manager Allegri.

On a side note, I would like to pay my respects to Brian Woolnough, a journalist and broadcaster, who lost his battle with illness, he was aged 63.