I'd like to take this opportunity to thank(and by thank, I mean lambast) ESPN2 for saying that they would be showing Chelsea v. Roma. Since I work during the day, and went out for a couple drinks after, I woke up this morning hoping to see the Blues. Instead it was Liverpool v. Atletico Madrid. I hate you ESPN2.
Chelsea defeated Roma 1-0, thanks to a John Terry header. It turns out this game was boring(but so was Liverpool's), as Roma came to London content to sit back and never even put a shot in on goal. With the Champions League Final being played in Rome, they still have a chance at home field advantage as Bordeaux defeated Cluj 1-0. Cadu scored an own goal for Cluj, and they also had a player sent off for a second yellow. This was Cluj's first defeat of the competition, and will hope that they can get a result against Bordeaux back in Transylvania. Chelsea now leads Group A with 7 points, Cluj is second with 4, and Roma and Bordeaux tied with 3.
Liverpool tied Atletico Madrid 1-1 in a game that was decided by the referees as much as the players, with a number of poor offsides calls and possible penalties. Robbie Keane scored the opener, with Simao netting the equalizer in the 83rd minute. Keane and Xabi Alonso suffered knocks during the game, while Gerrard was subbed early due to the fatigue of playing four matches in eleven days for club and country. Atletico supporters jeered the Champions League anthem, and many turned their backs to the pitch(field) while it was played. PSV Eindhoven defeated Marseille 2-0, thanks to a brace from Danny Koevermans. This means that Marseille is in last place in Group D on zero points, while PSV now has three. Atletico and Liverpool are tied with seven points, but Atletico leads on goal differential. This places great importance on Atletico's trip to Anfield, and the winner of that game should win the group.Barcelona demolished FC Basel 5-0, and sadly this was a home game for the Swiss side. Barcelona scored three goals in the opening 22 minutes, and had 77% of the possession. The state of football(soccer) in Switzerland really has to be called into question after this performance, and the performance of the national side in Euro Cup. Sporting Lisbon defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0, thanks to a late goal from Liedson. Shakhtar looked the better side for much of the game, but were unable to beat Sporting's keeper Rui Patricio. Barcelona is now the only perfect side in the competition, and top Group C. Sporting is now second with six points, Shakhtar is in third place with three, and Basel have now scored only one goal and are in last.
Jose Mourinho continued his European success, as Inter defeated Anorthosis Famagusta 1-0. Adriano, a player Mourinho brought back into the squad, scored the game's only goal. Inter's defense continues to impress, but their pragmatic approach in Europe has led to fewer goals. Werder Bremen tied Panathinaikos 2-2, thanks to a late goal by Hugo Almeida. Per Mertesacker opened the scoring for the Germans, but a Vagelis Mantzios brace put the Greek side in front. Salpingidis hit the crossbar, and that ended up costing the Greeks after Almeida's goal in the 83rd minute. Inter now top Group B on seven points, with Anorthosis a surprising second on four points. Bremen have tied all their matches and sit in third on three points, with Panathinaikos last with a single point.
