Controversial Day II of the Champions League!

By: Rob | September 17th, 2008

Controversy reigned today as the Champions League got into full flow. Lyon carried on with a downed Fiorentina player to get themselves back in the game with goal which would have been offside but for the player on the ground while Celtic will feel aggrieved that they had a good goal chalked off for Offside, and astonishingly in that game, the ref sent off the wrong man.

Aalborg player Jakobsen bought down Samaras – who should have got a goal at some point in the evening – but instead Beauchamp was shown the red card. Miffed, he left the pitch. Celtic also missed a penalty in a game that finished 0-0.

Lyon were the better team in thier game against Fiorentina, but it looked like La Viola’s counter-attacking tactic was going to work a treat as they went in at half time two goals to the good. They came out the second half and defended even more solidly, but with Fiorentina defender Zauri on the ground holding his face, with a broken cheekbone, the ref didn’t stop play and the game carried on, and Lyon got one back. (You can see it here). A clever free-kick from Juninho, passing to Karim Benzema gave Lyon a point.

Elsewhere, Arsenal left it late to grab a point away in Kiev. The side from the Ukraine went 1-0 up after Sagna gave away a debate-worthy Penalty Kick. William Gallas earned a draw in the dying moments, after a cross from my Fantasy Football tip, Theo Wallcott. Arsene Wenger ranted at the fourth official, apparently about how they calculate the injury time.

Cristiano Ronaldo came back for Manchester United, but the UEFA club player of the year couldn’t inspire his team to any more than a 0-0 draw against Villarreal, the Spanish side have a superb record against United.

Former Champions Porto got a great result against last seasons surprise package Fenerbahce, with a big 3-1 win. It was 2-0 within the first 15 minutes, and Porto never let up. They finished off the scoring in the last minute. Porto sit top of the group.

Bayern celebrated a return to the Champions League with a 1-0 win over an unimaginitive Steaua. Bayern could have had more as Luca Toni had one cleared off the line, and Bastian Schweiny forced a fantastic save. Steaua had the ball in the net, but it was disalowed as the ball was kicked out of the keepers hand. Bayern sit top of the group of death.

Juve also made a return to the Champions League tonight, Alessandro Del Piero was the hero of Turin after opening the scoring with an absolutely beautiful free-kick. Claudio Ranieri looked absolutely delighted. Juve beat Zenit St Petersburg 1-0.

Real Madrid also got off to a great start, with thier win against BATE. Sergio Ramos opened the score, Van Nistolrooy nicked one on the line which was going in anyway, BATE also had a man sent off late on.