Football Recap: Champions League Group Stage starts off with a bang and a few whimpers
Regarded as the second biggest competition after the football World Cup, the Champions League has its own importance and glamour as star studded squads display their potential on the biggest club stage of all. Several clubs have
invested heavily in order to win this coveted trophy because it is seen as the biggest honour for the European heavyweights of football.
Barcelona runs riot
La Liga champions Barcelona showed their class last night, tearing apart Greek side Panathinaikos while scoring five goals in the process. The star of the show was Lionel Messi who scored a brace and was also pivotal in creating
scoring opportunities for his team mates.
Messi could have notched up a hat-trick as well, but his penalty was saved in the second half and he also later struck the post. The World Player of the Year continued from where he left off last season when he scored eight goals
and if Messi remains fit throughout the campaign it would not be fallacy to believe that he can take his tally into double figures this time around.
Pep Guardiola’s side displayed attacking football full of flair and fluidity with Pedro and Dani Alves bombing forward from deep positions which created extra pressure for the Greek side and they were unable to cope with Barca.
The summer recruit from Valencia, David Villa, also scored for Barcelona while celebrating his European debut with his new club. Villa has been in sensational form for past few seasons scoring goals for fun; both for his national
team and his club.
Champions Inter Milan failed to lit up the show
Inter forward Diego Milito was on the heels of his compatriot Messi in the Champions League goal charts last time around, but last night he scored an own goal as Inter began the defence of their crown under new boss Rafael Benitez.
In a nervous manner throughout, Inter drew 2-2 with Dutch side FC Twente.
Inter got level on terms with Wesley Sneijder coming to his team’s rescue. Sneijder, who starred for the Netherlands at the World Cup, scored from close range as he pounced on to the rebound from Diego Milito’s strike.
Former Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o saved Inter’s blushes as Twente looked certain to win as he struck a twenty five yard rasper to rescue Inter. Inter are finding it very difficult to get in form for the initial part of the
campaign after winning the treble last season under the charismatic Jose Mourinho.
Man United play a goal less draw with Rangers
The game at Old Trafford didn’t turn out to be where there would be a flurry of goals, as Rangers held the Manchester club to an impressive draw via some sturdy defending.
All the eyes were on Wayne Rooney as the striker has failed to show the form he did last season. Rooney failed to inspire his side to an emphatic victory which fans of the Red Devils were craving for. Rooney, who has been in a
personal crisis following his scandal, has failed to light up Old Trafford in his previous two appearances and has failed to hit the scoring form that saw him become United’s top marksman last season.
The other game of the group saw Valencia tear apart debutants Bursaspor as the Spanish club, who have had a summer of rebuilding following the sale of star players David Villa and David Silva, scored four unanswered goals. New
signing Tino Costa scored an absolute blinder from 35 yards out.
In one of the most open groups of this stage, Lyon and Benfica notched up wins over Schalke and Hapoel Tel Aviv respectively.
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