Tuesday

Fiorentina Vs Liverpool

The boys from Florence suffered a defeat against Lyon last time around, so will be desperate to get some kind of result against Group Favourites Liverpool. The latter just came off a superb win in the Premier League, which should give them the boost to get through a tricksy away tie.

Barcelona Vs Dynamo Kiev

Mainly because you’ll want to be keeping an eye on how Barca are doing right? They’re always great to watch. Unless they’re playing Inter. Anyway, maybe this will be the week that Ibra finally starts doing it in the Champions League, or maybe Andrei Shevchenko will remind everyone he is class afterall.

Rangers Vs Sevilla

This years Champions League is absolutely vital for Scottish Football, as they might lose a Champions League spot if Rangers don’t do very well. They’ll need a good result against Spanish side Sevilla who had an amazing 4-0 away win against Bibao at the weekend.

Wednesday

Bayern vs Juventus

This weeks biggie without a doubt. Can Bayern finally start living up to their own expectations? Are Juve truely ready to make the step up to be Italy’s main representatives in Europe? Make no mistake, this is a game neither side will want to lose. Which might mean its a draw. Hopefully a good one.

Manchester United Vs Wolfsburg

By far the biggest test in Man United’s group should be German Champions Wolfsburg who were 4-2 winners against Hannover in the German League at the weekend. Man United win 2-0 in their game, so hopefully we’ll see some goals and a good match. Would expect Man United to take it though.

Real Madrid Vs Marseille

Should be an interesting test for Galacticos 2.0, who surely get bonus points for having new bloggers over at their offside page. Last time around they were beaten by an offside Pippo Inzaghi (is there any other kind?) so they could really do with getting something out a very tough trip to the Bernabéu

Porto Vs Atlético Madrid

Portugal vs Spain, if nothing else, but two good attacking sides going at each other for 90 minutes, might make this a good outside bet for game of the night. Both sides could do with the points, Porto lost to Chelsea last time, and Atleti only drew to APOEL.

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.

Group E

Lyon take on Fiorentina in a rematch from last seasons Group F, which provided all kinds of controversy. Should be a cracking match again this year too, despite Lyon losing a certain Karim Benzema to Real Madrid. Elsewhere Debreceni visit Liverpool, in the first Anfield Champions League night of the season, expect a win for the home side, even though they are sometimes slow starters in this competition.

Group F

This is where everyone’s eyes will likely be this evening, as Barcelona visit the San Siro. Added spice is provided in the swap deal between the clubs, involving Ibrahimovic, Eto’o and a boat load of money. Jose Mourinho was turned down for the Barca job before they decided on Pep, who resembled Jose with his sprint up the touchline against Chelsea last year. Inter look a much stronger side this year than in previous years, and will be desperate to have a run at the Champions League, should be a cracker.
The other match sees Dianamo Kiev take on Rubin Kazan in a game only Andrei Shevchenko’s mum is going to watch.

Group G

Stuttgart take on Rangers in Group G, in an open group where every point is going to really really count as anyone could take it. Elsewhere Unirea visit Sevilla, which should be a win for the Spanish side.

Group H

Arsenal have Eduardo back for the visit to Standard Liege, in a group that they should dominate. The other game in this group sees Olympiacos take on AZ.

Anyway, the real reason for watching the Champions League is you still get to see most of Europe’s best players, all kicking round looking bloody fantastic. And you can play guess the goals on the main page. Full state of each group after that there jump.

Group A

Group A is the most interesting group yet, as any two of three teams can still get through to the knockout stages. Roma will qualify if they don’t loose to Bordeaux, and will win the group with a win against Bordeaux, Chelsea will be through with a win against Cluj (already out) or a Roma win. To win the group Chelsea need Roma to not win, and for themselves to beat Cluj. Bordeaux can only qualify with a win against Roma, and if they win and Chelsea do not then they will win the group.

Group B

Inter are through here, but can win the group if they beat Bremen. If they draw with Bremen and Panathinaikos don’t beat Anorthosis, they will also emerge group winners. The real big game is Panathinaikos against Anorthosis, if its a draw or Panathinaikos win, they are through, if Anorthosis win, they would be through in a fantastic Champions League upset. If Bremen beat Inter they can qualify for the Uefa cup if Pana win.

Group C

Group C is done. Barca have won the group, Sporting are Second, and Shakhtar are third. Basel are 4th.

Group D

Atletico will win the group if their result against Marseille is as good, or better than Liverpool’s result against PSV. Exact same situation at the bottom, where if Marseille’s result is equal or better than PSV’s against Liverpool they’ll make the UEFA cup.

Group E

Group E is all decided except who will win the group. Villarreal have to do better against Celtic, than Man United do against Aalborg to win the group. If they get the same result, it comes down to goal difference. Man United are currently on +6, Villarreal on +4

Group F

Lyon will win the group with a 0-0 or a win against Bayern. Bayern will win the group with a score draw, or a win against Lyon. Fiorentina will be in the UEFA cup unless they loose to Steaua.

Group G

Arsenal will win the group as long as they do not loose to Porto. Porto will obviously win the group with a win. winner of Dyanamo/Fener gets the UEFA Cup booby prize.

Group H

All done, if Juve don’t loose they’ll win the group. If they do, Real will. Easy.

Now thats out the way, here’s a lightning quick run through of the games this week! Some teams can get through to the knockout stages over the next couple of days – and I’ll let you know where thats a possibility. Its all heating up now we’re passing the halfway stage of the group stage. No-one can afford any slip ups now. So without further ado, after the jump, lets have a look at the situation.

Group A

Chelsea visit Rome tonight for the return fixture from last times close 1-0 encounter. Roma possibly would have liked it to wait a couple of weeks due to injury worries. Just as interesting is Cluj hosting Bordeaux. The Group currently sits as below.

Chelsea 7
Cluj 4
Roma 3
Bordeaux 3

So if Chelsea Win today, and Cluj beat Bordeaux, Chelsea will be through to the next round.

Group B

Surprise package Anorthosis play host to Inter Milan today, while Bremen are at home to Panathiaikos, in a game both sides have to win if they want to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Inter 7
Anorthosis 4
Bremen 3
Panathinaikos 1

If Inter beat Anorthosis, they’ll be in the knockout stage already.

Group C

Group leaders Barcelona host pointless FC Basel, the reverse fixture provided five goals. Sporting meanwhile are up against Shakhtar. And like Bush’s term as Commander-in-Chief, this group could be all over by the end of the night.

Barcelona 9
Sporting Lisbon 6
Shakhtar 3
Basel 0

Barca qualify if they beat Basel and Sporting win or draw at Shakhtar, or if Sporting wins, and Barca get at least a draw.

Sporting meanwhile can make it through if they beat Shakhtar and Barca get at least a draw against Basel.

Group D

Liverpool host Atletico Madrid while Marseilles play host to PSV. The second game is very very important for who will qualify as we shall see

Liverpool 7
Atletico 7
PSV 3
Marseille 0

If Marseille beats PSV, then whoever wins the game between Liverpool and Atletico will be through to the knockout stages.

Wednesday

Group E

Man United visit Celtic Park as the Glasgow club need to hit the ground running – and their home record is exceptional despite their awful record on the road. Aalborg host Villarreal elsewhere.

Manchester United 7
Villarreal 7
Celtic 1
Aalborg 1

If Aalborg don’t win against Villarreal, and Man United beat Celtic, United will qualify for the KO stage.
If Man United beat Celtic, and Villarreal win against Aalborg, they’ll be in the KO stage.

Group oF death.

Still tight in the Group of Death, as Fiorentina prepare to host leaders Bayern, and Lyon welcome Steaua.

Bayern 7
Lyon 5
Fiorentina 2
Steaua 1

Bayern will be through if they win and Lyon get at least a draw.

Group G

An enticing encounter at the Emirates where Arsenal host Fener, and Porto make the long trip to Kiev.

Arsenal 7
Dynamo Kiev 5
FC Porto 3
Fenerbahce 1

Arsenal will qualify for the KO stage if they win and Porto lose in Kiev.

Group H

BATE visit Zenit, but that isn’t what you wanna hear about is it? Its Juve vs Real Round 2 in Madrid.

Juventus 7
Real Madrid 6
BATE 2
Zenit 1

Juve will be through if they beat Real Madrid this evening. No mean feat.

Top Goalscorer in the Tourny so far is Dietmar Berbatov. With 4.

36 goals across the games, including two goals from Offside positions for Dietmar Berbatov, a briliant one from Alessandro Del Piero, Five different scorer’s for Arsenal (six if you include a Silvestre own goal) in Arsenal’s visit to ‘Hell’ made it a bit easier than thier visit to Hull, and nine goals in Villarreal’s game against Aaolborg just some of the many topsy turvy highlights on offer.

Full Roundup after that there, jump.

Juventus against Real Madrid was arguably the tastiest fixture on paper at the begining of the games, and it looked to all kick off when Del Piero scored inside five minutes with a beautiful strike that left Iker Casillas standing. The game never really ignited though. Real failed to perform in the first half, and Juve kept them out, and it looked to be over when Amauri scored a second half header. Real suddenly found thier grove, playing wider, and Ruud Van Nistolrooy got a unmarked header to put Real back in the game. Snijder hit the post, but it finished 2-1 to Juve.

The other game in that group was a draw, between BATE and Zenit St Petersberg. The Russian side completely dominated, but could easily have come away with nothing, a late goal rescued a draw.

At the half way stage, that group now looks like this:

Juventus 7
Real Madrid 6
BATE 2
Zenit St Petersburg 1

Nine goals came in Villarreals win over Aalborg, it finished 6-3. Substitute Llorente grabbed a hat trick with a last minute goal, to cap off a remarkable match. Fans certainly got their money’s worth, whichever side they support.

Elsewhere, Celtic’s bad luck on the road continues, losing 3-0 after Dietmar Berbatov scored two goals from offside positions. Wayne Rooney capped off the scoring at Old Trafford.

At the Half Way Stage, That Group Looks Like This:

Manchester United 7
Villarreal 7
Celtic 1
Aalborg 1

In the group of Death, Bayern took on Fiorentina, and despite a shakey performance, La Viola couldn’t punish them, and the German side ran out 3-0 winners. Bayern took the chances that they had, early and late in the game, while Fiorentina scuffed their chances. That’s the difference at this level.

Lyon had to fight back from behind to beat Steaua 5-3, a result which seems them move up to second in the group. The French side had gone down, and it looked like another miserable night for French sides in the CL, but the showed their fighting power, and attacking quality to come back.

At the halfway stage The Group of Death looks like this

Bayern 7
Lyon 5
Fiorentina 2
Steaua 1

The intimidating atmosphere is always talked up when teams travel to Turkey, but it didn’t phase Arsenal tonight who ran out 5-2 winners, with five different scorers, Adebayour, Wallcott, Ramsey, Diaby and Song Bilong all getting on the scoresheet. So did Mikel Silvestre, but it was at the wrong end.

The other game in that group was the dullest of the lot, with Dinamo Kiev nicking a 1-0 against FC Porto. A beautiful 30 yard free kick was the difference between the two sides.

Half way, and the group looks like this

Arsenal 7
Kiev 5
Porto 3
Fener 1

Lets hope tomorrow is as exciting.

Elsewhere in that group, a freak birthday surprise for Roma meant they fought back from the dead, to win 3-1 against Bordeaux. Mirko Vucinic and Julio Baptista were the celebrating birthday boys.

Robbie Keane will be celebreating just as heartily as he got his first Liverpool goal in a 3-1 win over PSV. The Liverpool striker broke his duck after Dirk Kuyt opened the scores, and Steven Gerrard got his 100th goal for the club.

Athletico Madrid beat Marseille 2-1 to add to French Football’s bad night. Sergio Aguero’s third goal in two games helped them to the win.

The big story was very nearly from Barcelona. The Catalan club were 1-0 down against Shakthar, but substitute Leo Messi got two goals to give Barca all three points. Sporting Lisbon beat Basel in that group.

Elsewhere, Inter managed a 1-1 draw against German side Werder Bremen, and Anthosis beat Panathinaikos.

Juventus fought to a 2-2 draw which is a magnificent result for Champions League débutants BATE. They could have had all three points though, were it not for Iaquinta’s brace to bring Juve back from 2-0 down.

Real managed to preserve a 100% record in this season’s Champions League, thanks to a Ruud Van Nistelrooy winner against a fired up Zenit St. Petersburg. Iker Casillias had to be on his best form to keep out Arshavin and Co’s attempts at the Real goal.

Fenerbahce and Dynamo Kiev played out a 0-0 draw, but all the goals in thier group belonged to the Porto/Arsenal game, where despite early chances for Porto, the Gunners won 4-0.

Two draws keep the Group of Death in anybody’s court, as Lyon and Bayern played out a sometimes-entertaining 1-1 draw, and Fiorentina and Steaua played out a never interesting 0-0.

Celtic’s awful away record continued as they lost 1-0 to Villarreal, and in the same group Man United dominated Aalborg, and Dietmar Berbatov picked up two goals. United won 3-0.

Lyon 2 – 2 Fiorentina

Gilardino 11, 41 (Fiorentina)
Piquionne 72 (Lyon)
Benzema 85 (Lyon)

Full Time. Well, what a game! Lyon were the more attacking team, with all the chances, but it was Fiorentina who went 2-0 into the break. Lyon’s first goal was massively controversial, with an injured Viola player holding his head in the six yard box, the game wasn’t stopped and Lyon played on, were played onside by the downed player and scored. A Clever FK from Juninho with a pass to Karim Benzema levelled the score. MOTM? Benzema. Looked lively all the time, Lyon’s best player by a mile. Thanks for everyone who read, commented, and watched that with me. More reaction to follow on the CL offside.

90+3 – Lyon are attacking and trying to get a winner but I don’t see them breaking the Viola defence again.

4 minutes apparently.

There will be loads of added time after the controversial first OL goal led to ages of nothing.

90 – Juninho just had another FK, just just over the crossbar.

88 – Handball there as Motolivo tried to lift it over the Lyon defence, nothing given though.

Govou off Mounier on for Lyon

86 – Pazzini puts in a cross with his first touch, but its overhit for Mutu

85 – GOAL! Lyon are back! Juninho lines up a FK and the Viola defence puts in a big wall, Juninho catches them out by playing a low ball under the wall to Karim Benzema who makes no mistake. Game on!

81 – Govou frees Benzema, but the through ball is overhit.

80 – Toulalan could have scored there, blasted in from range, just wide.

79 – Pazzini on for Gilardino, like for like of course.

77 – Could have been level. Benzema touches it back and a strike hits a defender and just lands on the roof of the net. From the corner it falls to Toulalan who forces another big Frey save

75 – Fiorentina kick off again after a lot of arguing. Controversial.

72 – GOAL – Despite a Fiorentina player lay down injured in the six yard box, Lyon carried on, and of course, the Lyon attack were all played onside by the player down. Gilardino gives Benzema a piece of his mind, both are booked.

70 – Good cross in there to the dangerzone, deflected out for a CK for Lyon

68 – Juninho’s FK is on target, but Frey punches away.

- Piquionne is on for Fred

67 – Ederson goes down for Lyon, mistimed challenge, looks even worse on replays. Melo booked.

64 – Awful defending from Lyon nearly gives Fiorentina another chance, but its completely mishit.

63 – Kuzmanovic off, Santana on for La Viola.

62 – Up and over from Juninho, but its wide.

- Benzema is hobbling, he might not be coming back.

61 – Reveillere hits one from range, deflected for a corner. Juninho will take of course, back post, and headed out, but only as far as Benzema but an awful tackle will give Juninho a good FK chance. Dainelli is booked.

Makoun is the one coming off, I forgot he was on the pitch.

Ederson is about to come on for Lyon

56 – Fiorentina stick in a cross but Mutu is offside.

55 – Boumsong is rubbish. He must be better than this usually for OL? Because he looks like he was at Newcastle here, which was awful.

53 – Kallstrom puts in a cross with Vargas fails to deal with and Govou should have tapped in, but he miskicked. Its all OL again.

52 – Near post cross from Juninho isn’t quite run onto by anyone. Good ball though.

52 – Not sure what that was from Kallstrom, maybe a cross, but it ended up hitting Frey.

51 – First good chance of the second half, Benzema to Govou on the edge of the box, who stops it for Benzema to run onto and hit, produces a good save from Frey

48 – This half has started really slowly. Lyon have the tail between thier legs, Fiorentina look like the cat with the cream.

46 – A Lyon corner is cleared at the near post. Not looking as good from set pieces as you might expect.

Ah, here come OL, looking like they’ve been yelled at quite a bit. Boumsong hasn’t be substituted Viola fans will be pleased to hear.

Back after the break here, Fiorentina are out on the pitch and Lyon are nowhere to be seen.

Half Time. The Lyon fans are booing. Lyon have been much the better side, attacking constantly, but Viola’s defence has been strong and they have taken the chances they’ve been given by the woeful Lyon defence.

44 – Benzema puts in a cross, he looks really lively, his cross fails to find Fred though.

43 – The subsequent corner is headed out and it falls to Kallstrom who blazes over the crossbar. The commentry team on Sky are ripping Lyon apart here, even though they’ve been the better side.

42 – 50/50 challenge between Vargas and Toulalan looks nasty. Juninho’s subsequent FK is headed away by Vargas who got up pretty quickly.

41 – GOAL! – Against the run of play, La Viola are 2-0 up! The counter attacking is working beautifully. Montolivo plays a good pass to Adrian Mutu, who floats in a cross and Boumsong is completely out of position, and Bodmer doesn’t defend it, leaving Gilardino to just nod in with ease.

38 – Govou puts in a lovely cross, but Benzema misjudges and it drops wide. Another very good chance.

35 – Should have been a goal. Beauty of a cross floated in for Fred who heads past the post.

32 – Another shocking moment from Boumsong, tries to control the ball and plays in Mutu, Boumsong spared by his goalkeeper.

- Why is Boumsong playing instead of Cris? Seems like a bad choice, Boumsong is showing why Newcastle didn’t want him.

31 – Benzema again puts in a cross, this time a daisy cutter, and Fred times his run well, but pressure from the defence means it goes just past the post.

28 – Good chance, again Benzema running down the left, cuts it back this time for Toulalan who hits it with the outside of his right, though he should have hit it with his left. Frey has to stretch to get rid.

26 – Brilliant counter attack from Benzema forces another FK for Juninho from a bit closer. Wall wasn’t the full 10, but Juninho got in on target, though Frey looked comfortable.

25 – 45 yards out and Juninho shoots, doesn’t really have the legs though. That would have been special.

22 – Its broken down a little bit here. The game has been all Lyon other than the goal, but its all got a bit sloppy.

20 – Beautiful drilled free-kick from Almiron for La Viola hits the cross bar.

18 – Dangerous cross from Benzema after beating two defenders to the by line is just inches from Fred’s head which would have been a goal

17 – Terribile defending from Lyon, long aimless pass from Fiorentina leads to a mix up between defender and keeper, and a corner is given away. Corner comes in and the keeper flaps, but comes to nothing.

16 – Juninho’s free-kick goes over the bar. Dissapointing, I suppose he can’t ping them in the corner every time

15 – Juninho just outside the box touches past his man and just waits for a touch so he can win a free kick, Vargas obliges.

14 – Corner kick from Juninho is headed back out for another. Second time its cleared at the near post. In trying to keep the ball in, Juninho conceeds a throw.

13 – Great play by Lyon, Govou makes himself a great chance, but a great tackle from Vargas stops the run.

11 – GOAL! - Fiorentina are ahead, nothing ball comes in and a woeful clearence from Boumsong gives the winger a second chance, and Gilardino nods home.

9 – Govou played in a great low cross there for Benzema but the shot was quite weak.

7 – Lyon should have scored. Corner came in, and Bodmer, the defender or Benzema I’m not sure, overhead kicks against the bar. Ball came back in and Fred couldn’t finish a pretty bed and butter chance.

6 – Beautiful crossfield pass to Benzema, and Benzema’s cross strikes the arm of a Fiorentina defender, no pen though as wasn’t deliberate.

5 – Fred gets Lyon’s first shot, a daisy-cutter easily gathered by Frey

4 – First shot of the evening is from Almiron, Mutu did well to control and cut back, but blazed over and wide.

3 – First Fiorentina attack doesn’t get past a cross, where the cutback is cut out by Boumsong

2 – Awful tackle from Kroldrup there, from behind and high.

1 – Its taken 45 seconds for the Sky commentators to start sterotyping Italian teams as defensive.

Fiorentina will Kick off in a second, from left to right.

Official Line Ups:

Lyon:Lyon: Lloris; Boumsong, Bodmer, Kallstrom, Juninho, Fred, Benzema, Govou, Makoun, Reveillere, Toulalan

Viola: Frey; Kroldrup, Dainelli, Vargas, Mutu, Gilardino, Zauri, Montolivo, Kuzmanovic, Almiron, Melo

- Have to say that the crowd, holding up cards in the glowing green looks great. La Viola are in purple of course, so the crowd look really colourful.

5 Minutes to go – Teams are getting ready to come out onto the pitch. Lyon are oddly in thier away kit (which i like, btw) despite being at home.

- Boumsong is in rather than Cris, and Fred is playing up front with Benzema, Eurosport lied.

15 Minutes till KO – A few players I’m excited about seeing tonight, Juninho I think is fantastic – his free-kick taking is stunning (40! and he can put them anywhere) but he has alot more to his game, Benzema because I really want to see him live up to his growing reputation, Mutu because I’ve always liked him, Montolivo because he is a very underrated player, I think.

25 Minutes to KO – I’m really excited about this one you know. Two teams I quite like, with a fair few players I like but don’t get to see as often as I like. I’m also completely neutral, which is nice.

Alright guys, I’m here to Liveblog this game, a little earlier than expected, and I’m bringing you the expected lineups from Eurosport.

Lyon: Lloris, Reveillére, Bodmer, Cris, Kallstrom, Toulalan, Makoun, Ederson, Govou, Benzema

Fiorentina: Frey, Zauri, Dainelli, Kroldrup, Vargas, Melo, Donadel, Kuzmanovic, Montolivo, Mutu, Gilardino.

Chelsea 4- 0 Bordeaux

Lampard 14
Joe Cole 29
Malouda 83
Anelka 90+2

Full Time. That’s it. A walk in the park from Chelsea, who will have loved that. Really they never got out of second gear. Man of the Match for me was Frank Lampard, who was positive in everything he did and made or scored all of the first three goals. Chelsea lead group A.

Big thanks to everyone who watched that with me, and special thanks to everyone who left a comment.

91 – GOAL! Fantastic shot from Belletti from a long way out, smashes against the crossbar after the keeper got a touch, and even Anelka couldn’t miss the six yard tap in. 4-0.

Two Minutes added on.

90 – Christ knows how Anelka didn’t score there. Great run from Bosingwa and a clever cut back to Anelka on the edge in acres of space, and he puts it wide.

89 – Ashley Cole just picked up the ball and the crowd urged him to shoot. He didn’t.

87 – Lampard’s corner loops onto Rickie Carvalho’s head and he heads onto the crossbar.

85 – Great break from Bordeaux, but a beautiful tackle from Rickie Carvalho gets rid of the danger.

84 – Chelsea fans are chanting “We Want Four”

83 – Kalou on for Malouda

82 -GOAL - From the corner, it came in from Lampard but Malouda couldn’t do anything, right after though, it came to Lamps who’s backheel plays in Malouda and he sticks it in the corner. Game Over.

81 – John Terry must be bored because he burst forward there to the delight of the crowd, gave to Cole, but it was cleared for corner.

77 – Ballack hasn’t look great since he came on, just off the pace. About the third misplaced pass from his today there.

- Chelsea look like they are conserving energy for the game against Man United at the weekend, which Big Phil looks pissed off at. Laurent Blanc looks cool as a cucumber meanwhile.

73 – Belletti on for Joe Cole, who looks pissed off to be leaving. Ducasse on for Fernando for Bordeaux.

72 – Gourcuff knocked the ball up aiming for a 1-2 and it hits Carvalho’s arm in the box. No Pen.

71 – I’m still here, the games just slowed up quite a bit.

68 – Joe Cole just played a beautiful touch to the worlds second best loser, but nothing comes of it.

64 – Cavenaghi, on for Chamahk for Bordeaux.
Gouffran off for Obertan
63 – Wendell blazes another one over the bar.

62 – Should have been a goal. Again. Brilliant reverse pass from Lampard, plays Anelka in, but he shoots and puts into the side netting – Malouda was unmarked in the centre. It has been seven years since Anelka scored in this comp though.

60 – Deco off, Ballack on.

59 – Beautiful passing from Chelsea, but Malouda’s shot is blocked for a corner kick. Headed away.

- Ballack is going to be on in a second.

58 – Should have been three, Anelka broke, tried to play in Joe Cole, fell to Lampard who played a beautiful pass to Joe Cole, who curls it wide. Oh, looks like Cole was offside.

57 – Deco gets the first yellow of the day for a petulant trip. He does collect yellow cards.

56 – Mikel got clattered, walking a bit gingerly, but I think he’ll be ok.

54 – Fernando has gone down, and Chelsea are playing on to loud boos, even though Chelsea are at home. Lampard went over to see if he was ok, and he was.

- Good news for Chelsea fans, Roma are losing to Cluj.

51 – Great chance for Bordeaux. Carvalho bought down Gourcuff, advantage played and Fernando blazed just wide. Cech had it covered.

50 – A free kick from Gourcuff, is not really worth talking about, that was terrible.

48 – Agonising defending from Bordeaux, gives Malouda a chance and he wastes the cross.

47 – Terrible tackle from Joe Cole and the commentators are complaining that he nearly got injured doing it…Not that ITV is biased or anything, obviously.

46 – Shamack, trying to keep the ball in heads the ball back in, falls over the advertising boards and lands on the concrete on the other side. Owch. He looks ok though.

Bordeaux kick-off the second half

Half Time – All Chelsea so far, Blanc is going to have to produce one hell of a team talk to change it. Other game in this group is 1-1. In the other Anglo-French game, Liverpool lead 2-1.

44 – Good interplay from Gourcuff and Mendel, but it comes to nothing. No Minutes added on.

42 – Gourcuff is the only danger really from Bordeaux, he’s just won a corner, a chance for a Chelsea break with Carvalho, but just misplaces his pass

40 – Another through pass, aimed at Bosingwa slides past him. Fast pitch at the bridge. Rickie Carvalho seems to have a problem, might just be a nose bleed. Drogba watches from the sidelines with his iPod in.

39 – Ambitious free kick from Gourcuff from a good 40 yards out, almost catches Cech out, just about goes over the bar.

37 – Chelsea are loving thier through balls to the attacking three – Bosingwa there with one aimed at Joe Cole.

36 – Good bit of Bordeaux passing leads to thier first bit of pressure, corner. cleared at the near post.

34 – Mistake from Deco gives Mendel a break and Carvalho commits one of his trademark sliding tackles. FK to Bordeaux. Gourcuff will take….just wide.

33 – Lampard should have scored. Bosingwa’s cross sort of hits Malouda and falls to Lampard who snatches at his volly.

31 – Allou Diarra misplaces a pass, and gives it to Deco who just about doesn’t play in Anelka.

29 – GOAL! - Corner comes in beautifully, and Joe Cole just nods home with ease. Going to be very uphill for the French to get back into this.

28 – Great break from Lampard, gives it to Malouda, edge of the box, but its well defended. Corner.

- Gerrard has got one back in the other game, if you are interested.

25 – Deco beautifully plays Anelka in, acres of space and he just had to side foot it to Malouda to tap in, except he couldn’t find his teammate. Big Phil looks miffed. Extremely agitated.

- Just an update, Liverpool have gone one down in thier game with Marseille, which you can see over on Daryl’s liveblog

23 – Bosingwa harries the Bordeaux defence and forces a corner, which Deco puts in for Anelka who heads over.

- The French side could do with Laurent Blanc subbing himself on the way thier defending is going, I hear he was quite tasty.

21 – Bosingwa plays a dangerous ball into the box, and the defender who is ahead of Anelka nearly puts it in his own net, but for a great save.

20 – Lampard puts in a very good cross, and John Terry has an unmarked header, just puts it wide.

18 – Decent build up play, comes to Anelka wide and he drills it at the keeper. The resulting corner leads to a cross where Joe Cole tries to spin and knock it in, doesn’t work.

17 – Free Kick to Bordeaux, Wendel blasts it against the wall.

15 – Wendel makes a mistake, but Joe Cole wastes a decent chance with an erratic shot

14 – GOAL! – Bosingwa beats his man down the wing, first time, crosses in, and Lampard nods home.

13 – Beautiful pass, from Deco this time, which nearly gets Joe Cole in. Those two have good communication.

12 – Bosingwa with a change of pace that beautifully beats his man, but his cross is cleared.

11 – Long pass from Mikel, but Bosingwa and Anelka were both offside.

10 – Gourcruff looks lively to begin with, Mikel doesn’t look like he’s overly confident.

9 – Sloppy passing from Mikel, gives Mendel the ball and he duely drills it over the crossbar.

- absolutely no pace to this game at all. So far.

7 – Malouda tries to play in Anelka but its beyond him. Cleared easily.

6 – good passing from Chelsea, leads to a throw deep in Bordeaux territory.

4 – Anelka tried to give it to Lampard who stepped over it and it went to a white shirt, Mikel won it back, Deco played in Joe Cole, but its just beyond him.

3 – Deco is hugging the touchline so far, and looks less than his usual confident self.

2 – Early on, Bordeaux look fairly defensive, and Chelsea look happy to chuck the ball around.

1 – Lampard commits the first foul of the night. Not much in it. Comes to nothing.

0 – Chelsea kick off from left to right, wearing Blue of course.

1 minute to KO – Laurent Blanc is looking stylish. Gourcuff is looking fired up.

5 Minutes to KO – Teams are ready to come out. Scolari has just repeated his “our next game is the most important game” mantra. Good philosophy I think, has my dad nodding. Apparently he handed out ‘The Art Of War’ to his players before Brazil beat England way back in the 2002 World Cup. Wonder if the Chelsea boys have something good to read?

10 Minutes to KO – They’re playing 3 Lions at Stamford Bridge…are England playing?

- I’m excited. 8 months of thrills and spills about to kick off.

15 Minutes to KO – The teams are in, Ballack is benched, Drogba not even on amongst the subs, he’s suspended as he was sent off in Moscow.

Chelsea:Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Obi, Joe Cole, Deco, Lampard, Malouda, Anelka – Subs: Hilario, Di Santo, Ballack, Ferreira, Kalou, Alex, Belletti

Bordeaux: Rame, Jurietti, Diawara, Planus, Placente, Diarra, Menegazzo, Gouffran, Gourcuff, Wendell, Chamakh- Subs: Valverde, Henrique, Cavenaghi, Bellion, Ducasse, Traore, Obertan

25 minutes to KO – The arrogance of English TV is awful. Laurent Blanc, obviously the Bordeaux manager, with all his glittering carrer apparently his ‘most notable’ period was when he was 37 and playing for Man United. Sheesh.

35 Minutes to KO – Well just over half an hour away from Big Phil Scolari leading his Chelsea side into the tournament with you just know Roman wants to win the most. Chelsea have looked good in the EPL so far this season, so I’m looking forward to how they do in this tournament.