Group A: Bordeaux helped their cause in securing in advancement as they pulled of an impressive 2-0 win at Munich. Yoann Gourcuff scored in the 37th minute to give the French powerhouse the lead. Then an injury time goal by Marouane Caumakh stunned the Bayern crowd as they were shutout at home in a game that might undue their Champion's League hopes. Bayern dominated the match in terms of possession and shot, and created the countless opportunities to put the ball in the net. However Bordeaux's counter-attacking, and ability to take advantage of Munich's ineptitude to score goals secured three point for the French club. In the other match Israeli Champions Maccabi Haifia put up another stout resistance at home, but fell to Juventus 1-0. Mauro German Camoranesi scored in the 45th minute to give the Italian club three points on the road. Juventus controlled possession and shots, but Maccabi would not go away as they keep putting on valiant performances. Bordeaux are in control of the group with 10 points, needing a draw to secure advancement, Juventus looks to be in good shape as avoiding defeat against Bayern will send them through. Munich is in a tough position needing two wins to move on, and Maccabi Haifia is already eliminated with zero points.
Group B: Thanks to an ugly 3-3 draw at Old Trafford Manchester United has secured a spot in the knock-out round of the competition. However the Red Devils were lucky to only get a point at home as an 84th minute goal by Paul Scholes and a deflection by the Moscow defense that resulted in a last minute goal by Antonio Valencia gave the home side a tie. Alan Dzagoev scored first in the 25th to put the Russians on the board first. Then Michael Owen evened the match in the 29th. Then goals by Milos Kasic in the 31st and Vasili Berezutsky in the 41st gave Moscow the 3-1 lead, and what looked like an almost assured victory. However the two late Manchester goals gave United the point needed to secure advancement and stay unbeaten. In the other match Wolfsburg took apart Besikatas 3-0 in Turkey. Goals by Zvjezdan Misimovic in the 14th minute, Christian Gentner in the 80th and Edin Dzeko in the 87th gave the German Champions the 3-0 win. Wolfsburg did see less of the ball, but managed to out shoot Besiktas 18-15. With the results Manchester United is in great shape with 10 points, Wolfsburg is in second with 7 points, leading Moscow by three points. Besiktas is bringing up the rear with only one point. Next rounds Wolfsburg-Moscow match in Russia will be crucial for both clubs.
Group C: By far the most entertaining group in the tournament, as all four teams are still in contention. Marseille started the action with a 6-1 thrashing of Zurich in France. The French power was supierior in every aspect of the match as five different players scored for Marseille, and an own goal from a Zurich play accounted for Marseille's 6 goals, (sorry not doing six names). Alexander Alphonse scored in the 31st for Zurich's consolation, but in the end it was not enough. In round two of the dream fixture of the group stages Real Madrid travled to Italy to play AC Milan. This one was not the goal-fest like the previous match as a the teams drew at 1-1. Karim Benzema scored in the 29th to give Madrid the 1-0 lead on the road. But Milan hero Ronaldinho scored of a PK in the 35th to equalize the match. Madrid dominated Milan in shots and shots on goal, but were unable to pull of the upset and series sweep in Italy. Madrid and Milan are drawn up 7 points a piece, with Marseille not far behind with 6 points, Zurich is only mathematically in it with 3 points.
Group D: With this weeks results everything is decided in Group D. FC Porto secured a 1-0 win at Cyprus by beating Apoel Nicosia 1-0, thanks to a 84th minute goal by Radamel Falcao gave the Portuguese Champions the goal that will send them back to the knock-out rounds. Atletico Madrid had a chance to catch Porto, but Porto's win killed that hope. Still Atletico was determined to defend their home against group leaders Chelsea. Sergio Aguero scored in the 66th minute to put Madrid up 1-0. The goals by Didier Drogba in the 82nd and 88th but the London club up 2-1. However Aguero's last minute tally salvaged a point for Madrid. The group is now decided as Chelsea and Porto will move on with 10 and 9points respectively, as Madrid with 2 points, and Nicosia with one point cannot catch them. SO NOW THEIR PLAYING FOR FUN-hooray little kid rec. league mentality.
Group E: Fiorentina helped their advancement cause with a 5-2 beat down of Debrecen. Adrian Muto but the Italian club ahead in the 14th minute, but the Hungarian side did not go away as Gergely Rudolf equalized in the 38th minute. Then the floodgates opened as Fiorentina scored three goals in a row. Dario Dainelli scored in the 52nd, Riccardio Montolivo in the 59th, Marco Marchionni 61st minute to give Fiorentina a 4-1 lead. Debrecen did score one in the 70th, but Fiorentina had the final say with the last goal in the game, to win the match 5-2. In the match Liverpool was looking to get back in contention to advance to the knockout round, and were in great shape entering stoppage time. The Reds were leading 1-0 off a Ryan Babel 83rd minute goal. However the French Powerhouse Lyon were not going to go down quitley on thier stadium, as a stoppage time goal by Lisandro Lopez gave Lyon the draw. Lyon leads the group with 10 points, needing only a draw to secure advancement. Fiorentina is in second with 9 points, only needing a draw against Liverpool to advance. Meanwhile Liverpool is in trouble, needing two wins and help to advance. For Debrecen-it was over as soon as the draw was announced.
Group F: Group F is the tightest of all the group, as first and fourth are separated by only two points. Despite out-shooting Rubin Kazan 19-4, Barcelona was unable to get a result against the Russian Champions, as they played to a 0-0 draw. The defending Champions out-played Rubin Kazan, but could not get revenge against the Russian club for the 2-1 Kazan win in Barcelona. Inter Milan scored two late goals to pull out a 2-1 win at Kiev. Alberto Diego Milito in the 86th minute to even the score at 1-1. Then Wesley Sneijder scored in the 89th minute to give Milan the 2-1 win. Dynamo Kiev's Andriy Shevchenko scored in the 21st minute to give Dynamo the early lead, but could not hold on for the 3 points at home. After 4 rounds the group is still up in the road. Inter Milan leads with 6 points, followed by Barcelona and Rubin Kazan with 5 points a piece. Dynamo Kiev are very much alive as they have 4 points.
Group G: Sevilla already clinched advancement but still put on a good show for the home fans against Stuttgart. Gonzalez Jesus Navas scored in the 14th minute for the Spanish club, but Zdravko Kuzmanovic scored in the 78th to force the 1-1 draw. Unirea Unziceni had a great chance to help get themselves in the knock-out round in their first time at the tournament. However Rangers would not go down quietly as Lee McCulloch scored in the 78th minute. Unirea would salvage a point at home thanks to a goal by Marius Onofras in the 88th. With the draw Unira Unziceni holds on to second place with 5 points. Stuttgart trails with 3 points. Rangers, though in last, are still alive with 2 points, and two matches left to play.
Group H: Standard Liege finally got in the win column with a 2-0 win over Olympiokos. Dieudonne Mbokani Bezua scored in the 30th minute to give the Belgian Champions the lead. Then Milan Jovanovic scored in the 88th minute to secure the win for Standard Liege. Olypiokos out-shot Standard Liege, but the Greek club could not capitalize on their control of the game. In the other match Arsenal thoroughly destroyed AZ Alkmaar 4-1. Cece Fabregas scored in the 25th minute, Samir Nasri doubled the lead in the 43rd. Fabregas scored in the 52nd minute, and Abou Diaby ended the Gunners spree in the 72nd minute. AZ did get some consolation when Jeremain Lens gave the Dutch Champions the lead in the 82nd minute. Arsenal leads the group and has practically secured qualification with 10 points. Olympiokos is still in second with 6 points, leading Standard Liege by 2 points. AZ Alkmaar is still alive in fourth with 2 points.
Only two rounds remaining in the Champions League, and so much is yet to be decided. Many of the continent's powerhouses are on the outside looking in. While upstarts from the regions more lesser known leagues are making their impact felt on the better clubs. All of this is part of the drama, passion, and glory that is the UEFA Champion League.
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