[UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] It's not exactly been a week of shocks in the Champions League, but even as the usual teams begin to establish themselves after the second round of games, some unfamiliar names are more than holding their own among the eight groups.
On Wednesday, CFR Cluj of Romania (which has hopefully now shaken off the media-given adjective "tiny" that has preceded its name these past few weeks) followed its astonishing win at Roma in the first round of games by holding Chelsea at home to a 0-0 tie. In an extremely tight game, Cluj not only held its own, but looked just as likely as the London team to take all three points. In Group A's other game, Roma came from behind to overcome Bordeaux 3-1, including two goals from former Arsenal striker Julio Baptista, although Bordeaux was unlucky to have defender Carlos Henrique red-carded apparently for waving his elbow in fresh air while his side was leading 1-0.
Also unexpectedly unbeaten so far are the Cypriots of Anorthosis Famagusta, equal top with Inter Milan in Group B. After tying its first game away at Werder Bremen, Anorthosis dismantled Panathinaikos, 3-1, at home, although next up is a trip to the San Siro. That was the venue where Inter dropped two points Wednesday, despite going ahead through Brazilian defender Maicon against Bremen. The Germans tied the game up in the second half through a South American of its own, Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro.
In Group C, Barcelona left it very late to dig itself out of a hole at Shakhtar Donetsk in the Ukraine. Lionel Messi capitalized on a fumble from Donetsk keeper Andriy Pyatov three minutes from the end of the game to cancel out Brazilian Ilsinho's first-half goal. Then four minutes into stoppage time the Argentine, who'd only come into the game for Thierry Henry at the hour mark, scored his second by chipping Pyatov from the left after being played through by Xavi. In the group's other game, Sporting Lisbon thoroughly dominated Swiss champion FC Basel to win 2-0.
There was huge relief in Group D at Liverpool's 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven. Not just for Liverpool fans, but also for television viewers who will no longer have to hear commentators banging on about whether Robbie Keane's first or Steven Gerrard's 100th goal for the club are about to happen with every red-shirted attack. Both landmarks were thankfully reached in the course of the victory, to much excitement all around. Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, who topped Marseille 2-1, have maximum points from the first two games and look well set for qualification already, though the sides will face each other home and away over the next two rounds of games.
Play of the day: Fernando Torres beating his man on the right before crossing perfectly for Robbie Keane's long-awaited first goal for Liverpool against PSV.
Gaffe of the day: There have been four own goals in this round of games, and Wednesday's worst came when Panathinaikos defender Josu Sarriegi headed a long throw delivered by Anorthosis Famagusta past his own goalkeeper. Franz Beckenbauer would no doubt advise the Spaniard to give up soccer in favor of flamenco guitar lessons.
RESULTS
Group A
Bordeaux 1 (Gourcuff) Roma 3 (Vucinic, Baptista 2)
CFR Cluj 0 Chelsea 0
Standings: Chelsea (4 points), Cluj (4), Roma (3), Bordeaux (0).
Group B
Anorthosis Famagusta 3 (Sarriegi OG, Dobrasinovic, Mohammed) Panathinaikos 1 (Salpingidis)
Inter Milan 1 (Maicon) Werder Bremen 1 (Pizarro)
Standings: Inter (4 points), Anorthosis (4), Werder Bremen (2), Panathinaikos (0).
Group C
Shakhtar Donetsk 1(Ilsinho) Barcelona 2 (Messi 2)
Sporting Lisbon 2 (Zanni OG, Derlei) FC Basel 0
Standings: Barcelona (6 points), Sporting (3), Shakhtar (3), Basel (0),
Group D
Liverpool 3 (Kuyt, Keane, Gerrard) PSV 1 (Koevermans)
Atletico Madrid 2 (Aguero, Garcia) Marseille (Niang) 1
Standings: Atletico (6 points), Liverpool (6 points), Marseille (0), PSV (0)