24/11/2009

Champions League Tuesday: Barcelona - Inter Milan


Barcelona 2 - 0 Inter Milan (Camp Nou)

Guardiola talked the talk, and boy did his men walk the walk. Barcelona sent out a shivering message to the rest of Europe with a five star performance against Mourinho's Inter Milan. Italy's top side was teased from the first minute to the last, with Barca's defence so watertight Eto'o and Milito were left gasping for air.

Piqué managed to poke home from a corner in the 9th minute even though his shirt was being ripped from his back as he shot. The second arrived in the 25th minute, following a stunning team move which ended with Dani Alves floating one in from the right for young Pedro to run onto and sidefoot-volley through Lucio and Julio Cesar and into the net. What a season the youngster is having.

Barcelona were helped by Rubin Kazan drawing earlier on, and showed no signs of nerves in serving up the type of performance we've come so accustomed to in recent seasons. Dani Alves was superb all night long, defending his little heart out and always offering an option in attack.

Unirea Urziceni 1 - 0 Sevilla (Ghencea)

Sevilla travelled to Romania hoping to seal the deal at the top of Group G, but will travel back to Spain needing to complete the task in their next Champions League match against Rangers.

Jimenez's team never got going and in truth didnt deserve to take anything from the game, but the manner in which they conceded the goal won't please the gaffer. Unirea lofted a free kick into the Sevilla penalty area, and with not one Romanian player in the box, Dragutinovic planted a spectacular header into his own net. That Belgian keeper will sleep a little easier tonight!

Sevilla started without Luis Fabiano and Perotti, but as the game wore on Jimenez felt compelled to introduce the two dangermen. But they failed to turn around what was a dismal second half, and Dan Petrescu's unfancied outfit have put themselves on the brink of qualifying for the next round. Who said the Champions League was predictable?!

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