The Highlights From This Weeks Champions League Action

By: Rob | September 16th, 2009

God bless Footytube. Honestly, its up there with the wheel in terms of Brilliant Human Inventions. Thanks to that website, I can bring you all the best bits from this weeks Champions League, cunningly divided into to Tuesday and Wednesday, and with my reaction to each underneath.

So you can see Gila’s elbow against Lyon, The Galacticos getting 5 goals, Barca and Inter’s fascinating stalemate, and Arsenal’s absurd comeback against Standard Liege. All of that goodness and more after the jump.

Tuesday’s Champions League.

Zurich Vs Real Madrid

Talking points: Well first off, a great Free Kick from Ronaldo, although its right at the keeper, still nothing he could do about it. Then Raul added one for his 65th CL goal, and Higuain scored a lovely goal just before half time. Then Zurich fought back. A Eduardo-esque penalty call, and a header from a corner made it look like Zurich might get back in the game. A great bit of goalkeeping though was promptly followed by an awful bit when Ronaldo got his second. Guti rounded off the scoring.

OM Vs AC Milan

Talking Points: Stoari had a torrid time in the Milan goal, and really should have saved Heinze’s headed goal. Didn’t matter in the end, as Pippo Inzaghi did what he always does, and scored two goals (one of which from an offside position, of course).

Besiktas Vs Man United

Talking Points: United were a bit lucky here, they had there chances, but it came to a late save and Paul Scholes heading in a rebound to win it. But thats the difference between group winners and runners up.

Chelsea V Porto

Talking Points: Chelsea too only one by a single goal, against Porto. Anelka needed two attempts, but the second was a very well taken finish that more than deserved the goal it bought.

Wednesday.

Lyon Vs Fiorentina

Talking Points: A big big win for Lyon, who will be very happy that a) they nabbed three points, and b) Gilardino was sent off for elbowing Toulalan, which obviously means suspension and trouble for Fiorentina. A miserable night for La Viola, who could easily have lost by more were it not for Frey’s heroics in goal. Most underrated keeper in Europe.

Inter Vs Barca

Talking Points: It was always absorbing, but no doubt a dissapointing game considering the calibre of those involved. Neither Ibra nor Eto’o lit up the game in the way they might have, and it looks like we’ll have to wait till the return match at Camp Nou to see them at full tilt. Hopefully.

Standard Vs Arsenal

Talking Points: It was rather inevitable that Eduardo would be the talking point after his ban was uplifted, and indeed here he was. His stupid backheel gifted Standard with their opening goal, and after they got a penalty soon after it looked very bad for Arsene Wenger. Three goals, the last inevitably from Eduardo himself meant that Arsenal are the only club to have come back from 2-0 down twice in the Champions League era. Not without controversy though – Arsenal’s second goal struck Alex Song’s arm on its way through.