Champions League 09.12.09: Barcelona and Sevilla top dogs

Dynamo Kiev 1 - 2 Barcelona

(1-0) 2' Mylevsky, (1-1) 33' Xavi, (1-2) 86' Messi

• After Valdes' clanger two minutes in, it looked as if Barca could be frozen out of the Champions League; literally. Xavi ensured that wasn't to be the case as he dictated the pace of the match from the centre of the park and nipped in for the equaliser from Abidals cross. Has anyone ever seen him lose possession?.
  
• It looked damn cold, with pants and gloves a plenty. Barcelona combatted the freezing temperatures and a violent Dynamo side by grabbing hold of the ball and not letting go. Right now there is no side that comes close when it comes to ball retention. Just look at the possession stat 30 seconds into the highlights!
  
• Leo Messi was hounded by Kiev's pack of wolves, but picked himself up from an umpteenth foul to curl in a delicious free-kick with his left peg. Top of the group, but thats not much of a blessing these days as Bayern Munich, Lyon and AC Milan are potential rivals in the next round.
  

Sevilla 1 - 0 Rangers

(1-0) 7' Kanoute (p)

• Sevilla and Rangers didn't put on a show befitting the presence of Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, but the Spanish side got the job done. Three points and top gun in group G; a group intially designated as one of the tougher ones to call when the draw was made. Kanoute stuck a penalty away early on and that was enough to beat a desparately poor Rangers.
  
• Jesus Navas was Sevillas best player down the right. On his day he is majestic; one of those players who glides across the turf. I would just like to see him producing the goods on a more consistent basis. But the potential is most definitely there.
  
• Maybe more importantly for Sevilla they proved that there is life after Luis Fabiano. Luckily for Manolo Jimenez the Brazilian will be back in action when the Champions League fires up again in the new year.