Champions League, Chelsea, Liverpool
Cluj make their historic mark on a special night for minnows
A review of the night's Champions League action as CFR Cluj stunned Roma, Chelsea and Liverpool eased to victories but Marseille impressed, Sergio Aguero starred for Atlético Madrid and Anorthosis Famagusta completed a memorable night for continental minnows.
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- CFR Cluj celebrate a historic victory over Roma at the Stadio Olimpico
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- Marseille and Mandanda deserved more from the match against Liverpool
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- Sergio Aguero was in terrific form, scoring twice for Atletico
Ignorance breeds contempt, so perhaps the negativity surrounding CFR Cluj came about solely from a lack of knowledge of the Romanian champions.
That certainly won’t be the case any longer. After an outstanding victory at the Stadio Olimpico - a 2-1 win over AS Roma in their first ever Champions League match, one of the biggest shocks in recent European competition - the club is now on the map and the stunning result will ensure the Chelsea staff put on a straight face when travelling to Romania on matchday two.
Roma, second seeds and favourites to progress alongside Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side into the knockout phase, had taken an early lead through veteran Christian Panucci but the side who have reached successive quarter-finals continued their poor start to the season as 24-year-old Argentine Juan Emanuel Culio netted a memorable and skillful double.
The home side’s inadequacies were painfully obvious and the magic of coach Luciano Spalletti appears to be wearing off after Roma’s excellent last campaign both on the domestic and continental front. Reaching the final at their home ground looks a long way off.
They may now struggle to qualify depending on how Cluj progress over the next five matchdays and whether this historic victory was a one-off or a message of intent from the minnows. Bordeaux’s heavy defeat at Chelsea is good news for the Italian outfit, suggesting that Roma will have their fate in their own hands and that the French runners-up are again seemingly unready for the elite level.
Cluj, who are coached by an Italian - newly arrived Maurizio Trombetta - are still by far the weakest club in Group A and their home matches with Bordeaux and Roma will likely decide their fate. Six points from those, and the worse they will be looking at is a Uefa Cup spot.
Yet now, despite the seeming elitism of the Champions League, Cluj are celebrating a success of FA Cup proportions. It’s a rare a shock result in the competition and while the inquisition will begin in Italy’s capital, the 300,000 population in Cluj-Napoca are dreaming of an unprecedented qualification for next year’s knockout phase.
Geret’s side defiant in defeat
Liverpool might have claimed a 2-1 victory at the Stade Velodrome, but Marseille were extremely impressive and unfortunate not to claim anything. Laurent Bonnart was particularly impressive on the right-wing and Lyon loanee Hatem Ben Arfa offered some excellent skill and dexterity when on the ball, although he will need to improve his consistency of performance if he wishes to earn a regular start at his parent club. The best goalkeeper in Ligue 1, Steve Mandanda, was again in fine form especially with a late point-blank save from Babel. More clinical finishing would have given Eric Geret’s side at least a point, but they should offer the in-form Atlético Madrid - who thrashed PSV Eindhoven 3-0 in the Netherlands - a tough contest. Those two clubs are likely to be the ones fighting it out for second now. PS - Make sure you take a look at Steven Gerrard’s brilliant equaliser for Liverpool, a lesson in technical skill and awesome ability from England’s most gifted performer.
Anorthosis Famagusta make their point
Joining Cluj in the unknown debutant section, Anorthosis Famagusta are the first Cypriot football club to reach the group stages of the Champions League and so could be excused for wanting to take a few holiday snaps and enjoy the trips to Germany and Italy. But a valiant draw in Bremen against Werder speaks volumes about Famagusta’s ambition and expectation. While Inter Milan will win the group, Werder have constantly flattered to deceive in Europe and perennial underachievers Panathinaikos complete Group B. A draw in Germany dictates that Famagusta have an excellent chance of stunning the peninsula by making it into the second round.
Agüero to light up Atlético’s Euro campaign
A name you are likely to have heard before; the latest ‘new Maradona’; a sensational Argentina forward who is dating the inspirational former player’s daughter. Two goals for Atlético Madrid in the 3-0 triumph in the Netherlands continues to demonstrate Agüero’s terrific development and terrifying talent. Just 20, he will be the key behind Atlético’s Champions League campaign and his performances could dictate whether they make it into the latter stages or otherwise. Liverpool, you have been warned.
Tags: Anorthosis Famagusta, AS Roma, Atletico Madrid, Bordeaux, CFR Cluj, Champions League, Chelsea, Hatem Ben Arfa, Liverpool, Marseille, Maurizio Trombetta, PSV Eindhoven, Sergio Aguero, Werder Bremen
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What a return to the Champions League. PSV have always been proven a tough team to be at home. Atletico took the game bravely and came back with a 3 points.
Kudos to Kun AGUERO was the star of the match. No arguement about that from me. I alwayas felt this is the stage for him to shine.
However, most importantly what is your opinion about the team’s performance. Would love you to share them with me on my blog?
http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2008/09/ucl-group-stage-round-1-thread.html
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