Chelsea top group with dour Steaua win

 

Chelsea finished top of Group E after beating Steaua Bucharest 1-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to a first half goal from Demba Ba.

Ba latched onto a flicked Oscar header to smuggle Chelsea ahead after only ten minutes but from then on the match produced few chances and little excitement as the home side progressed ahead of Schalke.
Jose Mourinho’s men needed victory to guarantee top spot and a likely more favourable quarter-final draw and were comfortably the better side from the outset as the Chelsea boss made seven changes from the team that lost to Stoke City.
Mark Schwarzer became the oldest Champions League debutant in history and the second eldest to play in the competition as David Luiz and Ashley Cole also returned to defensive duties.
But the big Aussie rarely had a save to make and it was Oscar and Ba who combined to put Chelsea ahead, the striker getting on the end of the Brazilian’s flicked header to steer the ball past Ciprian Tatarusanu.
Mourinho tried to inject a little more urgency in the second half, bringing on Ramires, Kevin De Bruyne and Andre Schuerrle but his side still failed to carve out much against a resolute, if uninspiring Steaua.

KEY MOMENTS
2’ – CHANCE FOR LUIZ: Ivanovic wins Chelsea an early corner and Willian finds Luiz with a good delivery but the returning Brazilian fluffs his side-footed effort
9’ – BA SCORES FOR CHELSEA: Oscar flicks on the corner to Ba at the far post and he gets something on it with Georgievski in close attendance.
12’ – BIG MISS FOR STEAUA: Pintilii plays in Iancu with a lovely ball and he’s in on goal behind Terry but slides his shot wide as Schwarzer stands big.
26’ – GOOD SAVE: Hazard’s cross is met by Ivanovic’s header but Tatarusanu does well to parry over a reaction save. Should have scored.
52’ – AMAZING MISS BA: Willian plays in a great ball and it looks like a tap in but Ba somehow heels it over the bar.
70’ – BIG MISS HAZARD: It’s not quite on the level of Ba’s miss but Hazard should have buried his header instead of putting it over form a few yards out.
86’ – BA GOAL RULED OUT: The big man has it in the net from Lampard’s neat pass but he is flagged offside. And he is. Just!
MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY AND STATS
KEY STATS
At 41 years of age, Mark Schwarzer becomes the third oldest player to play in the Champions League and the oldest to make his debut in the competition.
Branislav Ivanovic made his 50th European appearance for Chelsea.
Steaua have now gone 23 Champions League matches without a win. A new record.
TALKING POINT: What has happened to Chelsea’s attacking potency? Mourinho must be a worried man as his side managed eight attempts on target but only about four clear-cut chances. He topped the group but must be a worried man.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Eden Hazard, Chelsea - Has impressed in his last three outings for Chelsea but has had little reward aside from his brace against Sunderland. Needs some of his strike partners to stand up.
PLAYER RATINGS
Chelsea: Schwarzer 6; Ivanovic 6, D Luiz 6, Terry 6, Cole 6; Mikel 6, Lampard 7; Willian 6, Oscar 6, Hazard 8; Ba 7. SUBS: Ramires 6, De Bruyne 6, Schurrle 7.
Steaua: Tatarusanu 6, Szukata 7, Gardoş 6, Latovlevici 5, Georgievski 7, Pintilii 6, Chipciu 6, Pirvulescu 7, Stanciu 6, Iancu 7, Kapetanos 6. SUBS: Prepelita 6, Tatu 6, Piovaccari 6.

 

Ten-man Milan hold on for draw with Ajax to qualify

 

AC Milan survived the early sending off of Riccardo Montolivo to edge into the last 16 of the Champions League with a determined backs-to-the-wall display in a goalless draw against Ajax.

Montolivo was shown a straight red by referee Howard Webb after just 21 minutes but despite intense pressure from the Dutch champions Milan held on to record a crucial 0-0 draw, relieving the pressure on manager Max Allegri.
Ajax came within an inch of breaking the deadlock after just eight minutes, when Christian Poulsen’s glancing header from an out-swinging corner kick flashed across the face of goal and bounced off the inside of the Milan post and into Christian Abbiati’s arms.
Milan were reduced to ten men after just 21 minutes, when Montolivo was shown a straight red card for a late and reckless challenge on Poulsen, stamping on the midfielder’s ankle with dangerous force.
Frank De Boer threw on Danny Hoesen at the break to give his side more threat going forward but Milan repelled their every attack, with Abbiati making a solid stop from Davy Klaasen after the hour mark.
Viktor Fischer flashed a low shot just past the post with less than 20 minutes remaining, before Klaasen came close to breaking Milan hearts with the last kick of the ball, sending an improvised overhead kick towards goal. However, the ball flew inches past the post while the San Siro held its breath.

KEY MOMENTS
8’ - WOODWORK: Ajax come close to opening the scoring, when Christian Poulsen’s glancing header bounced off the inside of Christian Abbiati’s left hand post.
21’ - RED CARD: The home side were reduced to ten men when Riccardo Montolivo was shown a straight red for a reckless, stamped challenge on Christian Poulsen.
67’ - SHOULD DO BETTER: Abbiati pulled off a good save to deny Davy Klaasen after a good passing move across the edge of the box by Ajax. Should have done better though.
74’ - CHANCE: Viktor Fischer came within inches of finding the net, flashing a low shot from 10 yards just past the post following a good lay off by Danny Hoesen.
95’ - LAST OPPORTUNITY: Klaasen almost bagged a dramatic winner with the last kick of the game, sending an improvised overhead kick from inside the box just past the target.
MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY AND STATS
KEY STATS
AC Milan have now qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League for the 11th consecutive time.
By keeping a clean sheet AC Milan have conceded just one goal in their last four home games in the Champions League.
Ajax enjoyed 71% of the possession, recording 25 attempts on goal compared to just four by AC Milan.
TALKING POINT – Can AC Milan carry the flag for Italy? While Milan were edging their way into the last 16 Napoli were pushed out thanks to a late Borussia Dortmund goal in Marseille. And Juventus’ defeat at Galatasaray earlier means Milan are the only Italian side left in the Champions League. League form would suggest they have no hope of mounting a genuine challenge, but Allegri’s side always seem to up their game in Europe.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Mattia De Sciglio, Milan - The young left back strengthened his already burgeoning reputation as one of Italy’s brightest young prospects, digging out his fellow defenders and even his keeper on a number of occasions. In the rare event of a Milan attack he also provided an effective outlet down the wing.
PLAYER RATINGS
AC Milan: Abbiati 6, De Sciglio 8, Bonera 7, Zapata 7, Constant 6, De Jong 6, Montolivo 2, Muntari 7, Kaka 7, El Shaarawy 4, Balotelli 5. Subs: Poli 6.
Ajax: Cillessen 5, Van Rhjn 6, Moisander 5, Denswil 5, Blind 7, Poulsen 6, Klaasen 7, Serero 6, Schone 6, Fischer 7, Bojan 4. Subs: Hoesen 6, Sigthorsson 5.

 

Arsenal through despite loss to unlucky Napoli

 

Ten-man Arsenal qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League despite going down 2-0 at Napoli.

In the first half, Napoli chased Arsenal in their own half to keep the away side under pressure, forcing Wojciech Szczesny into an error when he chipped a clearance that Gonzalo Higuain headed wide. Before that, Goran Pandev had an effort easily stopped, and Jose Callejon curled a shot just over.
Arsenal fared little better, with Olivier Giroud finding space on the left to shoot which Rafael Cabral easily palmed away - the Gunners struggling to impose themselves.
In the second half, Napoli grew in stature, and exacted ever-more pressure with shots from Pablo Armero, Callejon and Higuain.
Then, in the 73rd minute, Higuain collected a Callejon pass on the edge of the box, spun his marker and shot past Szczesny to put Napoli ahead and give his side hope.
Three minutes later, it was worse for Arsenal when Mikel Arteta committed a pointless tackle from behind on Callejon, earning himself a second yellow card. Napoli had the advantage, and needed to score two more goals to progress.
In the very last minute of the game, Callejon lifted the ball over the keeper for Napoli's second, but they had left it too late to qualify. Arsenal, on the other hand, had done just enough.

KEY MOMENTS
9’ - PANDEV CHANCE: Pandev gets to a through ball on the left, but he can only shoot straight at Szczesny.
23’ - CABRAL SAVE: Giroud is clear in the box, but his left-footed shot brings a comfortable save from the Napoli stopper.
31’ - CALLEJON SHOT: Callejon cuts in from the left, but curls a shot - possibly deflected by Carl Jenkinson - over the bar.
44’ - SZCZESNY MISTAKE: Attempting to clear a ball, the ‘keeper chips the ball at Higuain’s head, and is luckily to see it roll wide of goal.
58’ - ARMERO CHANCE: Having been put through on the left of the box, the full-back proves he is a full-back by shooting straight at the ‘keeper.
69’ - HIGUAIN GETS CLOSE: The Argentinean striker lashes the ball over the top after being set free by Callejon.
73’ - HIGUAIN GOAL: Finally, Napoli break the deadlock as Higuain receives Callejon’s pass just inside the box. He spins his marker and fires low into the goal.
76’ - ARTETA RED: Having already been booked, Arteta witlessly tackles Callejon from behind, and is sent off.
90’ - CALLEJON GOAL: A great pass from Insigne allows Callejon to lift the ball over Szczesny, but it’s too little, too late.
MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY AND STATS
KEY STATS
Napoli have not drawn a game over their last 19 fixtures in European competition.
This is Napoli’s first clean sheet in their last 12 European games.
Arsenal have reached the knockout stage of the Champions League for the 11th season in a row.
Gonzalo Higuaín scored his first ever goal against an English team in the Champions League.
TALKING POINT: Are Arsenal able to progress any further? With the season’s efforts appearing to catch up with them, and their loss of spark, the team will need to find a new way to take on teams better than Napoli, and who are even more dangerous up front.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Jose Callejon (Napoli): In the first half he was a threat on the wings, but in the second he provided dangerous passes for Higuain, and scored a goal himself. Despite his best efforts Napoli could not progress.
PLAYER RATINGS
Napoli: Cabral 6, Maggio 6, Fernandez 6, Albiol 6, Armero 7, Dzemaili 6, Behrami 6, Callejón 7, Pandev 6, Mertens 6, Higuain 7. Subs: Isigne 7.
Arsenal: Szczesny 6, Jenkinson 5, Mertesacker 5, Koscielny 5, Gibbs 5, Flamini 6, Arteta 5, Rosicky 6, Cazorla 4, Ozil 5, Giroud 5. Subs: Monreal 5, Ramsey 6.

 

Neymar hits three as Barcelona thump Celtic

 

Neymar finally brought an end to his Champions League goal drought with a superb hat-trick as Barcelona recorded a routine 6-1 victory over a poor Glasgow Celtic.

The Brazilian forward had never scored a goal in the elite competition before tonight and his goals as well as strikes from Gerard Pique, Pedro and Cristian Tello ensured Barcelona topped Group H.
The hosts took the lead after only seven minutes when Pique poked the ball home after latching onto Fraser Forster's save from an Alexis Sanchez shot.
Barcelona grabbed their second goal six minutes before the half-time whistle when Pedro slid the ball home from close range.
And on the stroke of half-time, Barcelona sealed the match with a fantastic team goal which saw Neymar tap-in from five yards.
Neymar grabbed his brace two minutes after the restart with a fine individual effort, wrapping the ball around Forster to find the top corner of the net. And on 58 minutes, he had his third, sliding the ball past a helpless Forster after beating Ambrose.
Just three minutes later substitute Tello made it six when he picked up Adriano’s pass on the edge of the box before firing into the goal courtesy of a wicked Virgil van Dijk deflection.
Celtic finally gave their away fans something to cheer when Georgios Samaras rose highest to meet a wonderful free-kick delivery from Charlie Mulgrew.

KEY MOMENTS
7’ - GOAL: Pique has scored for Barcelona! Alexis shot is well saved by Forster but the ball rebounds to the defender who prods home to make it 1-0.
39’ – GOAL: 2-0 Neymar sells his marker a wonderful dummy before squaring the ball to an unmarked Pedro to slide the ball into the back of the net.
45’ - GOAL: Neymar finally has a Champions League goal! He completes a fantastic team goal to tap in from Montoya's squared ball.
47’ - GOAL: 4-0 And Neymar has his second of the match. He finds the top corner of the net after some wonderful one-touch football from the Brazilian and Xavi on the edge of the area.
58’ - GOAL: Hat-trick hero - Neymar seals a fine display with a wonderful treble. He beats Ambrose with some terrific quick feet before sliding the ball past Forster, and despite Matthews best efforts of clearing the ball, he is unable to prevent the goal.
72’ - GOAL: It's six! Adriano picks out Tello in the centre of the park who shoots and his effort is wickedly deflected and into the net.
88’ - GOAL: 6-1 Celtic have finally got a goal back. Mulgrew's wonderful free-kick is met by Samaras who heads the ball home.
MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY AND STATS
KEY STATS
Barcelona have won only three of their last nine European games between this and last season, losing and drawing also three.
The Blaugrana have now won five of their last six games in European competition against Celtic.
Xavi made his 159th European appearance, surpassing Raúl as Spanish record holder. He is now third in the all-time list: P.Maldini (168) and C.Seedorf (161).
TALKING POINT
Who needs Lionel Messi? Neymar finally broke his Champions League goal drought with a spectacular hat-trick. It may have only been Celtic, but if the Spanish giants continue to play like this they will be very difficult to stop.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Neymar (Barcelona): Who else? The Brazilian forward was absolutely unplayable tonight and he could have had added to his three goals. Not only did he score a hat-trick he was also provider for Barcelona’s second goal.
PLAYER RATINGS
Barcelona: Pinto 6, Montoy 8, Piqué 8, Mascherano 6, Adriano 7, Sergio 7, Xavi 8, Sergi Roberto 7, Pedro 8, Alexis 8, Neymar 9. Substitutes: Tello 7, Song 6, Dongou 6,
Celtic: Forster 6, Lustig 5, Ambrose 5, Van Dijk 5, Ledley 5, Matthews 5, Brown 5, Biton 5, Boerrigter 5, Samaras 7, Pukki 5. Substitutes: Stokes 5, Commons 7, Mulgrew 7.

 

Lennon slams 'half-hearted' Celtic

 

Brazil star Neymar scored a hat-trick as the visitors slumped to their heaviest defeat in Europe since they lost 5-0 away to Artmedia in a Champions League qualifier in 2005 and the result confirmed the Hoops' status as the bottom side in Group H with three points from six games.

Barca defender Gerard Pique opened the scoring from close range in the seventh minute before Pedro Rodriguez and Neymar added a second and third before the interval.
Neymar scored his second two minutes after the break before grabbing his hat-trick and substitute Cristian Tello got in on the act in the 71st minute when his drive was heavily deflected past Fraser Forster by Parkhead defender Virgil van Dijk for number six before Georgios Samaras grabbed a late consolation for the Scottish champions.
An "angry and disappointed" Parkhead boss said: "Barcelona were fantastic as we expected them to be but we were very poor.
"I wouldn't say some players gave up but it certainly looked that way at times.
"I would never accuse a player of doing that but a lot of half-hearted performances and as a manager that was the most disappointing aspect of the whole game.
"There was no bravery on the ball tonight, we started off nervously and it looked like our heads went down at 2-0.
"We were weak and that has not been like us, that is something I have to address going forward.
"It is a sore one and I am hurting a little bit as are the players.
"It was unacceptable from some of the players, nowhere near the performances against Barcelona recently so that was very disappointing, obviously.
"There were only two or three players who showed anything, Virgil van Dijk, Adam Matthews and Mikael Lustig and I excuse the goalkeeper (Fraser Forster) but the rest of the team were very very poor, well below the standards set in the last few years.
"It was really tough to take. We were playing a great side but we were better than that.
"We will have to analyse it and look at the character which was there."

 

Mourinho hoping for 'King Didier' reunion

 

Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba is still worshipped by Chelsea fans for his starring role in the club's Champions League triumph against Bayern Munich in 2012 when he scored the winning penalty in a nerve-jangling shoot-out.

After a short spell in China, veteran Drogba is now terrorising Europe's best defences in the colours of Galatasaray and Mourinho would be more than happy if he gets the chance to return to his old hunting ground.
"He deserves a reception here, even better, he deserves it even more than me," Mourinho, who himself was welcomed with open arms back to Chelsea this year, told reporters after a routine 1-0 win over Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday confirmed his side as winners of Group E.
"He deserves to get what I got against Hull City (in my first game back in charge this season). He deserves double or three times that. I know what I felt and I think he deserves that.
"So yes Galatasaray is difficult, very difficult but I would like Didier to be back here and to feel what I felt."
Drogba, who also scored the equaliser against Bayern in Munich that night, is Chelsea's record scorer in Europe with 34 goals in 69 games and Mourinho still holds him in high esteem after the Ivorian's goals helped him load the club's trophy cabinet with silverware between 2004-07.
Chelsea could be drawn against Galatasaray, Zenit St Petersburg or a misfiring Milan in the last 16, rather than Real Madrid, Barcelona or holders Bayern Munich, but Mourinho said that whoever they get it would be difficult.
"There are the champions of Russia, a German side in Bayer Leverkusen and the Turkish champions with King Didier," Mourinho said, before turning his thoughts to more immediate challenges.
"We have to forget the Champions League now," he said.
"Until (it starts again) in February, March, we have to work to improve the team and get results in the English competitions."

 

 

 

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery on Ballon d'Or shortlist 

 

Barcelona forward Messi, who has already won the title four times, is regarded as the outsider of the three this year because of a injury-hit season.
But the Argentina international has continued to be prolific since being awarded the 2012 prize, leading Barca to another La Liga title with 45 goals and his country to a place at Brazil 2014.
Ronaldo is favourite for the prize after scoring 34 goals in the 2012/13 Primera Division season and terrorising defences in Spain, Europe and in guiding Portugal to World Cup qualification this term.
Ribery is in contention for another prestigious award after being named UEFA's best player in Europe for the 2012-13 season, in which he helped Bayern Munich win the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup.
Gareth Bale did not make the cut from the 23-man longlist despite scoring 26 goals for Tottenham last term before becoming the world's most expensive player when he joined Real Madrid for £85m in September.
The winner will be revealed at the FIFA Ballon d'Or gala in Zurich on January 13, 2014.
The 23-man list was compiled by the FIFA Football Committee and a group of experts from France Football and announced on October 29.
The nominees were confirmed after a voting process which was open to the captains and head coaches of the men's and women's national teams of FIFA's 209 member associations as well as to international media representatives selected by FIFA and France Football.

Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson

Ferguson, who retired following 26 years as Manchester United boss, is nominated for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men's Football award alongside another former boss, Jupp Heynckes, who led Bayern Munich to the Champions League title.
Jurgen Klopp, whose Borussia Dortmund lost the all-German final to Bayern, is the third nominee.

Brazil's Marta

Five-time FIFA's Women's Player of the Year Marta of Brazil is shortlisted for the 2013 award alongside 2012 winner Abby Wambach of the United States. Germany's Nadine Angerer is the third player on the shortlist.
The three nominees for the FIFA Puskas Award for the 'most beautiful goal of the year' were also announced.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's acrobatic volley for Sweden against England in November 2012, Nemanja Matic's volley for Benfica against Porto in Portugal's Liga Sagres and Neymar's shot for Brazil against Japan in June's FIFA Confederations Cup are the contenders.

 

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti hails Cristiano Ronaldo as the complete forward

 

The Portuguese scored one of Real Madrid's goals as they won 2-0 at FC Copenhagen, taking his tally for the group stages to nine.
He was even able to miss a penalty and it not matter, with his goal putting him ahead of Hernan Crespo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Filippo Inzaghi and Ruud van Nistelrooy who all have eight group-stage goals to their name.
Inzaghi was a loyal foot soldier of Real boss Carlo Ancelotti at AC Milan and the Italian was full of praise for Ronaldo.
"I think that Inzaghi will not be happy because he has lost this record. He has gone ahead of a very strong player," Ancelotti said.
"Inzaghi was very strong in the area and Ibrahimovic is powerful and has a fantastic ability to score and assist.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is a complete forward who can score goals in every way possible. He's a bit angry about the penalty, but he scored an important goal and played very well."
Ronaldo's late penalty was a real shock, considering how metronomic he normally is in front of goal.
The damage had already been done by that stage, though, with Luka Modric's first-half curler having set Real on their way.
"The match went well. We were focused, had a good attitude and were in control of the match," Ancelotti added.
"I'm happy because we had a good group stage and scored lots of goals. Modric is doing well and Xabi Alonso gives us balance defensively and in attack. All of the players did well, had a good attitude and controlled the play."

 

Man City hit back to claim famous win in Munich

 

Manchester City hit back from trailing 2-0 to complete a rousing 3-2 success against European champions Bayern Munich with James Milner slotting the winner at the Allianz Arena.

Milner benefited from an error by former City man Jerome Boateng, who failed to clear a Jesus Navas cross on 62 minutes. Milner sent the shot spinning into the corner of the net with Manuel Neuer beaten to ensure the visitors of the three points on the night.
Both teams finish Group D with 15 points from six matches, but Bayern edged the Premier League side for top spot courtesy of their 3-1 in Manchester back in October.
City looked like they were set to encounter a serious going over when Thomas Mueller and Mario Goetze benefited from some wretched defending to give Bayern a 2-0 lead in the opening 12 minutes.
But David Silva handed Manuel Pellegrini's City fresh hope when he converted from close range on 28 minutes after Milner had intelligently headed a Navas cross back across the face of goal.
With Bayern looking strangely subdued, Aleksandar Kolarov planted a penalty into the corner of the net with Neuer sent the wrong way from the spot on 59 minutes after Dante had felled Milner in the area.
Milner would soon become the first English player to score in the Champions League for City with his decisive goal. The draw for the knock-out stages of the last 16 takes place on Friday.

KEY MOMENTS
'5 - MUELLER OPENER: Mueller drives the ball into the corner of the net. Hart left well beaten. Aleksandar Kolarov caught on his heels. A 1-0 lead for Bayern.
'11 - RIBERY HITS BAR: Ball breaks to Ribery in the City box, but the ball spins off Hart before coming off the bar. City all over the place. A corner here to Bayern.
12' - GOETZE GRABS SECOND: Goetze slides the ball into the net. Awful defending by the visiting side as Mario Mandzukic was allowed to control the corner before his effort broke to the unmarked Goetze.
28' - SILVA GIVES CITY HOPE: Silva knocks the ball into the net from the Milner header back across goal. Fine cross by Navas. City back in the match at 2-1 behind.
59' - KOLAROV EQUALISER: GOAL! Kolarov plants the ball to Neuer's left, the Bayern goalkeeper flew right. City are level at 2-2. All to play for in Munich.
62' - MILNER MAGIC: Milner slides the ball into the corner of the net. Brilliant finish from Milner. Boateng all over the place from the Navas cross.
80' - DREADFUL DANTE: Dante almost lets in Negredo for a fourth City goal, but solid stop by Neuer. Shambolic stuff from Dante at the back. Not sure what he was trying there
KEY STATS
Manchester City have won all three of their away Champions League matches this season; having lost five of their previous six (W1).
Bayern Munich had conceded just three goals in their previous 10 Champions League matches before tonight.
Bayern Munich lost a Champions League home match having held a two-goal lead for the first time in the competition's history.
Bayern Munich tasted defeat for the first time since their opening match of the season - a 4-2 Super Cup defeat to Borussia Dortmund back in July.
Manuel Pellegrini enjoys a victory over Josep Guardiola for the first time in 10 attempts.
Opta

TALKING POINT: Did Pellegrini make a blunder by not throwing on Sergio Aguero late on? Wasn't too clear, but the Manchester City coach seemed to suggest his side needed two more goals from leading 3-2 to progress as Group D winners when a 4-2 success would have given City the edge on the head-to-head with Bayern. Aguero could surely have been given the final 10 minutes or so rather than Jack Rodwell. The error in failing to field his side's leading striker will only become clear if City land Real Madrid or PSG in the last 16.
MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY AND PLAYER RATINGS
MAN OF THE MATCH
James Milner (Manchester City): A very underrated player for club and country, Milner struck the winner and had a hand in all three City goals. A terrific recovery from City. They should take huge heart, but Milner more than most should feel happy about his evening.
PLAYER RATINGS
Bayern Munich: Neuer 6; Lahm 7, Boateng 7, Dante 4, Alaba 5; Thiago 5, Kroos 5; Muller 6, Gotze 6, Ribery 6, Mandzukic 6..subs: Martinez 6 Shaqiri 6
Manchester City: Hart 7, Kolarov 7, Lescott 7, Demichelis 7, Richards 5, Fernandinho 6, Garcia 6, Milner 8, Silva 7, Navas 7, Dzeko 7..subs: Zabaleta 8, Negredo 6, Rodwell 6

 

Guardiola: We're great, we're super... but we can also lose

 

Both sides had already qualified for the knockout stages ahead of the match, but Bayern had not yet been confirmed as group winners and a 4-2 victory for second-placed City would have been enough to see the Blues leapfrog their German hosts.

In the end, with substitute Alvaro Negredo being denied late on by Manuel Neuer, City fell just short, but certainly they have made a statement about their credentials as they head into the last 16 of the competition.
Bayern made just two alterations from their 7-0 win at Werder Bremen, and while their potency was evident early on, the way they capitulated came as a considerable surprise.
"I hope we can see how difficult it is playing in Europe," Guardiola said.
"Sometimes things like this can happen and today it happened to us. That's our message for today - we have to learn our lessons from this.
"We have to understand what we did wrong and how difficult it is to always win, especially in Europe, so we are ready for the knockout stages.
"We have got to realise we can also lose a game. We are a great team, a super team, but we can also lose, because our opponents also play very well."
Reflecting on the display, Pellegrini - whose side next host table-topping Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday - said: "I think it was a very important game for us.
"I said that Arsenal was a priority above this game, and I said it was very difficult to win here by three goals.
"But for our team it was a very important win because we felt we needed revenge for what happened in Manchester (when Bayern recorded a dominant 3-1 victory at City) because we played very bad.
"Winning here after being two goals behind is very good. I'm very happy."
Pellegrini appeared to suggest he had not realised City needed only a further goal to go through as group winners, which would - theoretically at least - have ensured them an easier last-16 draw.
When asked if he had not been tempted to bring striker Sergio Aguero off the bench with the score at 3-2, Pellegrini said: ''I was tempted if we scored the fourth goal.
"It was important to be first in the group but not the most important.
''It was difficult to score two goals."
The starting line-up Pellegrini selected for this game showed that he had been preparing for it with the Arsenal match also in mind.
The Blues' first XI showed seven changes from last weekend's draw at Southampton, with Joe Hart, Joleon Lescott, Javi Garcia, Jesus Navas, Edin Dzeko, the fit-again Silva and Micah Richards - who came off with an injury after only 15 minutes - being brought into it.
The likes of Vincent Kompany, Richards' replacement Pablo Zabaleta, Aguero, Negredo and Samir Nasri dropped out, as well as the suspended Yaya Toure.
And Pellegrini added: "I thought there was the chance for players to demonstrate why they are in the squad, and this was important."

 

Gala-Juve to resume on Wednesday after snow

"The UEFA Champions League Group B fixture between Galatasaray and Juventus will continue on Wednesday from 1400 CET [1pm UK time] after Tuesday's match was abandoned due to snow," UEFA said on its website.

[FOLLOW THE GAME LIVE AS IT RESUMES FROM 1pm]
The game was halted in the 32nd minute at the Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi stadium with the score 0-0.
"The match was abandoned for tonight. The referee, in consultation with the team captains and coaches, agreed that the conditions were no longer playable," UEFA media officer Amanuel Abate said.
"The match will be played tomorrow. Weather conditions have been quite extreme."
Portuguese referee Pedro Proenca ordered both teams off the pitch to allow the lines to be cleared by groundstaff, but the match was called off after a 20-minute break.
Juventus need a point to join group winners Real Madrid in the last 16, while a Galatasaray victory would see them claim second place and a spot in the knockout stages.

 

United clinch top spot as Jones relieves pressure on Moyes

 

Phil Jones lifted some pressure off boss David Moyes as Manchester United sealed top spot in Group A with a narrow 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

The versatile defender was the unlikely hero as he fired in a well-controlled effort 22 minutes from time after a right-wing corner was diverted into his path.
The visitors had started brightly and could have avoided their exit from the competition if they had taken one of their early chances, but Alex Teixeira and Fred both wasted good openings.
At the other end Ashley Young was equally as guilty as he spurned two gilt-edged opportunities before United stepped it up a gear after the break.
Wayne Rooney went close with a delightful chip and substitute Robin Van Persie saw a dinked effort drop just wide of the post as the hosts threatened sporadically.
The result means the Red Devils avoid a third straight home loss and leaves the Miners facing up to life in the Europa League after Bayer Leverkusen's triumph at Real Sociedad saw them take the runners-up spot.

KEY MOMENTS
PRE-MATCH: SIX CHANGES, VAN PERSIE ON THE BENCH - David Moyes made six changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Newcastle with Wayne Rooney returning from suspension to lead the line. Adnan Januzaj was selected to make his Champions League bow.
12' - SHAKHTAR CHANCE: Alex Teixeira rampages into space in the left-hand channel and drags a shot just past the far post. It should be 1-0 to the visitors.
34' - WHAT A MISS: Fred wastes a glorious chance with a woeful miscue from 12 yards out after Teixeira robbed Ferdinand on the left and raced at goal before cutting it back into the midfielder's path.
37' - JUST WIDE: Ashley Young gets in behind the Shakhtar defence but sends his lob inches past the post.
43' - WASTEFUL: Rooney puts it on a plate for Young who takes a touch and lashes well wide of the near post. Poor, poor play by the winger.
47' - WOODWORK: United fail to clear a left-wing corner and Yaroslav Rakitskiy sees his deflected effort clip the far post.
68' - GOAL: Man United 1-0 Shakhtar. Phil Jones smashes home the opener after a corner from the right was diverted into his path.

 

Benfica beat PSG but bow out

 

Benfica got the better of a makeshift Paris St Germain side with a 2-1 comeback win thanks to goals from South Americans Lima and Nicolas Gaitan but it wasn't enough to secure a passage to the knockout rounds of the Champions League.

Benfica needed to better Olympiacos' result in Athens, but the Greek side beat Anderlecht 3-1 to claim the runners-up spot in Group C and consign third-placed Benfica to the Europa League.
PSG go through as group winners with 13 points, three ahead of both Olympiacos and Benfica, who lose out on their inferior head-to-head record against their Greek rivals.
The visitors' Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani slotted home the opener eight minutes before halftime at the Luz stadium.
Benfica levelled with a penalty from Brazilian Lima after PSG's Champions League debutant Kalifa Traore brought down Silvio in the box, and Argentinian Gaitan rewarded Benfica for a stronger second-half display with the winner after 58 minutes.

 

Ronaldo, Madrid break records in Copenhagen win

 

Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo racked up the Champions League records in a 2-0 victory over FC Copenhagen that ended the home side's interest in European competition this season at the Parken stadium.

The nine-times European champions, who had already wrapped up top spot in Group B, have scored in a record 31 consecutive Champions League fixtures to beat the tally set by arch rivals Barcelona last year.
Real's second goal came from Ronaldo, who scored his group stage record ninth of the campaign with a simple close range finish three minutes after the interval and also had a last-minute penalty saved by Johan Wiland.
Real's masterful midfielder Luka Modric opened the scoring and set the first record for Madrid when he curled home a beautiful opening goal in the 25th minute from 20 metres.
The group runners-up will be decided on Wednesday when Galatasaray and Juventus resume their match which was abandoned after 32 minutes on Tuesday. It will resume at 1pm UK time with Juve needing a point to qualify for the last 16.
Real are in first place with 16 points ahead of Juve on six with Galatasaray level on four points with Copenhagen, who have missed out on the Europa League spot by finishing last because they have a worse head-to-head record against the Turkish side.
On an uneven surface that did little to encourage flowing football, Copenhagen contained Madrid for most of the opening 25 minutes when, with better finishing, they might have converted a half-chance as the visitors' defence took time to settle.
But once they found some rhythm, Madrid took control and it was little surprise when Modric side-stepped a challenge and fired a swerving drive into the top right corner.
The home team responded with spirit and had a goal disallowed shortly before halftime when a Thomas Delaney header was ruled out for his apparent handball.
They continued to work hard and push Madrid into delivering a full-blooded and energetic performance.
Madrid upped the tempo after the interval and during a spell of pressure Portuguese defender Pepe joined the attack and cushioned a header to compatriot Ronaldo who steered the ball home.
Ronaldo, showing his customary appetite for goals, could have gone on to score a hat-trick.
He hit a post in the 75th minute when a goal looked likely and then, after being brought down, produced a weak spot-kick that was easily saved by keeper Johan Wiland.

 

United thrash Leverkusen to cruise into last 16

 

Manchester United qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League with a thumping 5-0 win at Bayer Leverkusen.

Despite being without Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick, the visitors put forth their best shift in the David Moyes era, although their opposition was as poor as they will face in Europe.
Antonio Valencia converted Wayne Rooney’s cross to put United ahead, with an Emir Spahic own-goal doubling the lead.
Leverkusen improved after conceding the second, with Stefan Reinartz hitting the post and David De Gea denying Spahic with the follow up.
But the excellent Jonny Evans put any hopes of a comeback to bed, finishing from close range after the hosts failed to clear a corner.
Chris Smalling added a fourth, with Rooney again the architect after a defensive error from Giulio Donati, while Nani rubbed salt in the wounds with a cool chipped finish after Ryan Giggs – who turns 40 this week – played him through.
United qualify but, following Shakhtar Donetsk’s win over Real Sociedad, they must avoid defeat at home to the Ukrainians to win the group. Incredibly, Leverkusen can still go through if they beat Sociedad and Shakhtar lose at Old Trafford.

KEY MOMENTS
PRE-MATCH: Phil Jones and Giggs started in central midfield with Marouane Fellaini suspended and Carrick injured. Van Persie also missed out, meaning a rare start for Nani.
21’ – CHANCE: Evans with a vital tackle to deny Stefan Kiessling a goal after Rio Ferdinand was caught out by the striker.
22’ – GOAL (Leverkusen 0-1 United): Seconds after that chance, United break with Shinji Kagawa, who picks out Ryan Giggs. He finds Rooney, who whips in a fine cross that Valencia converts. Great team goal.
30’ – GOAL (Leverkusen 0-2 United): Chris Smalling is close to heading in a Rooney free-kick but Spahic’s intervention results in an own-goal.
61’ – WOODWORK/SAVE: Reinhartz meets a corner, his finish hits the post and Spahic seeks to bury the rebound but De Gea bats it away.
65’ – GOAL (Leverkusen 0-3 United): Evans scrambles home after Leno makes a save following a corner. Leverkusen ball-watching again. Game over.
77’– GOAL (Leverkusen 0-4 United): Smalling slides it into an open goal from Rooney’s clever dinked cross. Kagawa also involved after Donati gives the ball to him.
88’– GOAL (Leverkusen 0-5 United): Nani rounds Leno and chips it in from an angle after a fine pass from the evergreen Giggs.
KEY STATS
United break a run of four away CL matches without a win, which had been their worst in nine years.
Leverkusen are winless in their six games against Manchester United in the Champions League (D2, L4), failing to keep a single clean sheet in the process.
Leverkusen have lost nine of their last 10 Champions League games against English sides (W1).

TALKING POINT
Are United good enough to sustain a challenge? Moyes’s side were helped by a terrible performance from Leverkusen, but it was the best they had played all season. Will have to do more against the top sides, but they look like their old selves.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) – Shades several candidates, including Jonny Evans, but gets the nod for his three assists.
PLAYER RATINGS
Leverkusen: Leno 6, Spahic 4, Omer Toprak 5, Donati 4, Reinartz 5, Rolfes 6, Bender 6, Can 4, Castro 6, Heung-Min Son 6, Kiessling 5; Subs: Hegeler 5, Derdiyok 6, Kohr NA.
United: De Gea 7; Smalling 7, Ferdinand 6, Evans 8, Evra 7; Giggs 7, Jones 6; Valencia 7, Kagawa 7, Nani 7; Rooney 8; Subs: Büttner 6, Anderson 6, Young 6.

 

Mindfulness the key to Giggs longevity

 

There were several stand-out performances in Manchester United’s unusually comfortable hammering of Bayer Leverkusen.

Wayne Rooney with his trio of assists; Jonny Evans with his imperious defensive display and goal; the bounding wide duo of Antonio Valencia and Nani; the hitherto ostracised Shinji Kagawa, freed from the shackles of the left and allowed to roam in his preferred position.
It was an excellent team display, the best United have mustered under David Moyes, with much of the improvement down to a shift in formation resulting from Robin van Persie’s injury: Rooney adopted his central striker’s position, with Kagawa excelling behind and Nani relishing an opportunity that has been strangely absent this season.
But the most significant display was arguably that of Ryan Giggs.
While none of his actions were particularly eye-catching before that delightful assist for Nani’s goal, Giggs’ showing of energy, discipline and leadership was quite astounding for a man about to turn 40.
In two days’ time Giggs will be of an age when most outfield players are either long retired, or knocking about at a far lower level than Europe’s premier club competition; he will be of an age where most of us struggle to get up and down a five-a-side pitch let alone the sizeable BayArena.
The Welshman’s age is often raised when United’s more callow personnel come unstuck under pressure. His poise and calm is lacking among younger team-mates at key moments, a problem seen more frequently this season than in the Fergie era.
That Giggs started was a fluke of circumstance: with Michael Carrick injured, United needed a reliable playmaker to keep the midfield’s shape and keep the ball circulating. Anderson cannot be trusted any more, while Tom Cleverley’s development appears to have stalled for some reason. Perhaps his potential was overestimated.
Giggs’ longevity is a testament to his discipline, on and off the pitch.
While still in possession of a decent turn of pace – shown on one or two occasions in Germany – he is by no means the searing, jinking winger of old. While many would simply fade into their 30s, he has retrained as a crafty central midfielder, with astute positioning and intelligent use of the ball. Not to mention remarkable energy levels.
People in many trades can learn from such adaptability: progress in industry and technology can leave many an experienced professional a bumbling dinosaur, but the best always embrace change. The evil but gifted Rupert Murdoch’s embracement of social media is a throwaway example, but those who mock his self-promoting tweets should remember what business he is in.
Giggs points to his adoption of yoga as a factor in his extended career. Many footballers have followed suit, but the simple adoption of yoga as a physical pursuit limits its effectiveness. Yoga, if practised correctly, is more than just an exercise of the body; it is a limitless pursuit of discipline, self-awareness, mindfulness and study of the individual. The focus on oneself is hugely important, even if it is only for a daily hour of stretches and meditation.
It may sound pretentious, but it appears Giggs – whose monastic eating and drinking habits have played a huge part in lengthening his career – has fully embraced the discipline. His professionalism and attention to detail combine with a lithe flexibility and a total understanding of his role. The late Steve Jobs – a fellow yogi – may well have agreed. Nicklas Bendtner, known to occasionally adopt the downward dog when not smashing up cars or gym doors, would do well to learn from yoga’s capacity for mental enhancement.
We should also not underestimate Manchester United’s careful management of Giggs, who mid-career looked worryingly like a Darren Anderton-style crock. Well, I say mid-career, but who knows how long he could go?
Giggs is already the oldest player to score in a Champions League match.
He has to keep trotting out for another year if he is to pass Alessandro Costacurta as the oldest outfield player to appear in the Champions League or European Cup.
Provided he avoids serious injury, there is no reason why another landmark cannot be passed.

 

Zlatan: I don’t need Ballon d’Or to know I’m the best

 

Cristiano Ronaldo or Franck Ribery can have the Ballon d'Or, Zlatan Ibrahimovic does not need it.
The Swedish striker has been in superb form this year for Paris St Germain, scoring eight goals in this season's Champions League - as many as Real Madrid's Ronaldo - to help the French side ease into the last 16.
The Portugal forward, however, has emerged as favourite for the FIFA-Ballon d'Or award after netting a hat-trick for his country in a 3-2 defeat of Sweden in last week's World Cup playoff second leg, qualifying his country for the 2014 finals.
French winger Ribery helped Bayern Munich secure a treble last season and was early favourite for the award, won three times in a row by Barcelona's Lionel Messi, until Ronaldo garnered some late support for his performances with Portugal.
"I don't need the Ballon d'Or to know I'm the best," Ibrahimovic, who played a key role in PSG's Ligue 1 title triumph last season, told reporters on Wednesday.
"It matters more to some players."
Ibrahimovic scored his 39th Champions League goal on Wednesday as PSG won their group with a game to spare by beating Olympiakos 2-1 at the Parc des Princes.
No Swede has ever won the Ballon d'Or or the FIFA player of the year award but that statistic is unlikely to cause Ibrahimovic to lose any sleep.
"It's not something I think about and it is something that is not important for me," he said.
The former Barcelona and AC Milan striker showed how much of an asset he can be all over the pitch on Wednesday, taking on his share of defensive duties when PSG were reduced to 10 men following Marco Verratti's dismissal early in the second half.
"I was really tired," he said after being replaced by defender Marquinhos in the 79th minute.
"Helping the team defend or attack is my job. You have to think about the team first."
The French champions, who visit Benfica in the final group game next month, lead Ligue 1 on 34 points from 14 games ahead of Sunday's home game against Lyon.

 

Arsenal win not yet enough (2-0) over ajax

Arsenal win not yet enough

 

Jack Wilshere got a goal in each half to beat Marseille at Emirates Stadium.
The Arsenal midfielder opened the scoring within 30 seconds of kick-off and Arsenal could have extended their lead on many occasions during the first half, most notably, when Mesut Ozil missed a penalty.
The tie was sealed after 65 minutes when Ozil crossed for Wilshere to convert from six yards and put Arsenal atop Group F on 12 points.
Borussia Dortmund’s 3-1 win over Napoli means that if Arsenal avoid defeat away to Napoli in two weeks they will win the group. Defeat by two goals or fewer will also guarantee qualification for the last 16.

 

Champions League: United through after five-goal rout

Champions League: United through after five-goal rout

 

Manchester United secured their berth in the last 16 thanks to their largest away victory in the UEFA Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen, who are second in the Bundesliga.
Wayne Rooney was not on the scoresheet but was instrumental in the first four goals, crossing to Antonio Valencia to finish at the far post for the first, sending in the free-kick that Emir Spahic headed into his own net for the second, providing the shot that was parried into the path of Jonny Evans to score and lobbing the ball for Chris Smalling to convert to make it 4-0.
Nani got the fifth for the win that extended United’s unbeaten run to 11 matches in all competitions and put them on top of Group A with 11 points. Avoiding defeat at home to Shakhtar Donetsk in the final fixture will guarantee them winning the group and David Moyes, the United manager, is hoping for more of such performances.
“I’d say it’s the best we have played because we scored five goals, but it’s something I want to do regularly, not now and then,” he said. “We are in a good run of form, we had a slip-up on Sunday [in the 2-2 draw against Cardiff City, when their opponents scored in stoppage time], but in the main we’re playing well and the biggest thing is we’re improving, progressing.”

 

Manuel Pellegrini asks more of Manchester City defence

 

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said his side need to focus on tightening their defence after they beat Viktoria Plzen 4-2.

City have conceded 20 goals in 19 games this season and Pellegrini wants to see an improvement at the back.
"We can attack without giving so many chances," he said after their Champions League Group D game at Etihad Stadium.
"One of the important things for attacking teams is how to defend. On that front, we did very bad tonight."
He added: "I am talking about the whole team. I think the whole team must know how to defend.
"We didn't have the intensity or the pace today to do it and I am not talking about individual players."
Despite his criticisms, Pellegrini added that second-choice goalkeeper Joe Hart had "played very well" after being picked to face Plzen.
The Chilean has preferred Romanian Costel Pantilimon to Hart in the Premier League in recent weeks, but the England international made some good saves and was not at fault for either of the Czech side's goals.
Pellegrini said: "I didn't expect that he would have to work so much during the game but I think this is the match when the other team - including Champions League and Premier League (games) - had the most chances to score.
"From Thursday we will start thinking about the next game. Now we are talking about the Premier League but, I repeat, I think Joe had a very good performance," Pellegrini added when asked whether Hart might win his place back for Sunday's meeting with Swansea.
Manchester City had already qualified for the last 16 with a 5-2 win over CSKA Moscow in the previous round of matches.
They could still topple Bayern Munich at the top of Group D if they defeat the defending champions by a three-goal margin in their meeting in Germany on 10 December.