ROUND UP OF UCL GROUP STAGE :WEEK 2

GROUP A

Atletico Madrid vs. Juventus 1-0

This game was tipped by the pundits to be a close at intense game , fair enough the game was entertaining put only one goal was produced in the game. The goal came in the 75^th minute through Turan and his goal really put the visitors on their toes. However Juventus couldn’t salvage a draw as Atletico run away with all three points.

Here are the STATS from the game

Malmo vs. Olympiacos 2-0

Surprise of the week will officially be this game between debutants Malmo and Olympiacos. The two goals that were produced came in different halves of the game. During the first half Rosenberg opened the score in the 42^nd minute. In the second half Rosenberg got his brace in the 82^nd minute to seal of the victory. Even though Olympiacos dominated most of the game the failed to take their chances , which is often the case these days in football.

Here are the STATS from the game.

GROUP B

FC Basel vs. Liverpool 1-0

Liverpool were looking to secure 3 points to improve their chances of qualification but Basel had other plans. The only goal of the game came in the second half through Streller in the 52^nd minute. The visitors on the other hand tried on several occasions to get back but failed to.  Liverpool created more chances this time around but failed to take any as per SKY SPORTS .

Razgrad vs. Real Madrid 1-2

The first half Marcelinho opened the score in   7^th minute giving the host the lead . Ronaldo  then got the equalizer  in the 25^th minute from the penalty spot. In the second half Benzema scored his in the 77^th minute  to give Madrid the lead for the first time in the game.  For most parts of the game Madrid had the better possession while Ludagorets played well but were unlucky not to run away with the 3 points.

Here is the match report as per SKY SPORTS .

GROUP C

Zenit St. Petersburg vs. Monaco 0-0

The game ended in a goaless draw  even though many chances came the way for both sides none where able to convert them into goals. For Monaco Berbatov was left to carry the day alone  with Hulk trying to bring the Russians alive as per SKY SPORTS.  For possession Zenit had a better spell than Monaco but both teams sharing a point a piece would be enough to push them closer to the next round.

Bayern Leverkusen vs. Benefica  3-1

Four goals were produced in this game with 2 goals coming in the first half. The opening goal was scord by Kiebling in 25^th minute and later Son scored in the 34^th minute.  In the second half Salvio pulled one back in the 62^nd minute  to give Benefica hope of coming back in the game.  Soon Calhanoglu increased  Leverkusen’s tally from the spot kick in  64^th minute  to put the game to bed. 

Here are the STATS  from the game.

GROUP D

Arsenal vs. Galatasaray 4-1

Arsenal were on fire though , as their game was a 5 goal thriller. The Gunners opened their account through Welbeck in the 22^nd minute , he then got his brace in the 30^th minute. Sanchez also got his in the 41^st minute to end the first half. In the second half Welbeck got a hatrick 52^nd minute  , Szczesny  got a red card in the 60^th minute.  Galatasaray then got an penalty in the 63^rd minute and Yilmaz put it home for the visitors.

Here are the  STATS from the game.

Anderlecht vs. Borussia Dortmond 0-3

Three goals were scored in the game , Immobile scored the opening in the 3^rd minute . In the second half Ramos got the his in the 69^th minute and later got his brace in the 79^th minute. Anderlecht tried to get back but couldn’t  , Dortmund however controlled most of the game  gaining more possession.

Here are the STATS from the game.

GROUP E

CSKA Moscow vs. Bayern Munich 0-1

This was a game were many expected to see goals but surprisingly only one came in the 22^nd minute through Muller from the spot kick. It was the only goal of the in the first half even though Bayern had many chances come their way. Moscow on the other had created few chances since Bayern were dominant through out the game as per the SKY SPORTS .

Manchester City vs. As Roma 1-1

Next in group was Manchester City taking on As Roma , the first half produced the only goals of the game  with Aguero opening the score for City in the 4^th minute. However Roma legend Totti got the equalizer for Roma in the 23^rd minute. From that point on both teams had a fair share of chances with Roma coming the closest with 4 shots on target.

Here are the STATS from the game.

GROUP F

Paris Saint Germain vs. Barcalona 3-2

This game produced five goals and some fine passing game from both sides. In the first half David Luis opened the score in the 10^th minute to give the host the lead  , but it was short lived after Messi got the equalizer in the 12^th minute. Later Verratti scored to put the host back infront in the 26^th minute. In the second half of the game Matuidi scored in the 54^th minute but the lead was reduced by  Neymar in the 56^th minute.

The STATS from the game were as follows.

Apoel  vs. Ajax 1-1

The first ‘45’ saw two goals produced with Ajax opening the score in the 28^th minute through Anderson . Apoel then got their equalizer  through a penalty effected by  Manduca in the 31^st minute. Ajax were obiviously the better side in the game but were unlucky not to run away with all 3 points.

Here are  the STATS from the game.

GROUP G

FC Schalke vs NK Maribor 1-1

The champions league is always full of suprises and this game was no execption. The opening goal game in the first half for Maribor through Bohar in the 37^th minute and Schalke in their own home had to struggle and come from behind in the second half through Huntelaar in the 56^th minute. Even though Sckalke had a better spell of possession Maribor did well to see through to secure a point away from home which would prove vital in the long run.

Sporting Lisbon vs. Chelsea 0-1

In this game only one goal was produced and it came in the first half through Matic in the 34^th minute. The game was intense with many chances coming both teams way with Chelsea having the better spell of possession. 

Here are the STATS from the game.

GROUP H

Shaktar Donetsk vs. FC Porto 2-2

Four goals were produced in this match with no goal being scored in the first half , surprisingly Ibrahimi had a chance to put the host in front but missed his penalty in the 35^th minute. At the start of the second half however Teixeria scored the opening goal of the game in the 52^nd minute to give the host the lead. Donetsk then took a 2 nil lead after Adriano scored in the 82^nd minute . Porto then had a life line after a penalty was awarded and Martinez put the ball home in the 89^th minute. Just when Donetsk fans could almost taste victory Martinez again scored to level thing up in the 90^th minute , heartbreak for Shaktar Donetsk fans.

BATE vs. Atletico Bilbao 2-1

All goals came in the first half which was very entertaining but the second half failed to produce any. The opening goal came in the 19^th minute through Polyakov for BATE. Karnitski then made it 2 nil in the 41^st minute before Aduriz pulled one back in the 45^th minute. Both teams had a good spell of possession in each half as per the SKY SPORTS .