UEFA Champions League Group A Match 1 Results

European Football's Premier Tournament Match Week One Results

Sep 20, 2009

The Champions League group stage kicked off with eight exciting matches. Here is a review of Group A's matches. Bayern Munich at Maccabi Haifa and Bordeaux at Juventus.

Bayern Munich 3 – Maccabi Haifa 0

Bayern Munich shrugged off some poor early season form and needed some exceptional goalkeeping to secure their victory over hosts Maccabi Haifa. Daniel van Buyten opened Bayern’s Champions League scoring account in the 64th minute. The Munich defenseman put home a cross from Anatoliy Tymoschuk that put the visitors ahead despite some inspired play from the hosts. Yaniv Katan twice nearly put Haifa in the lead but was stopped by Bayern keeper Jorg Butt. Butt was certainly on great form saving Bayern on several close calls. The hosts kept the pressure on Bayern until the 85th minute when Thomas Muller took an Andreas Ottl pass and finished skillfully. Muller had his second goal just 3 minutes later firing home a cross from substitute Mario Gomez, and Bayern claimed all three points in the Champions League opener.

Juventus 1 – Bordeaux 1

Hosts Juventus has to settle for a draw versus French champions Bordeaux in a rain soaked night in Torino. The weather had much to do with the outcome of the match as the torrential rains prevented either team from getting much of a foothold in this match, let alone on the pitch. The first half was played scoreless as both teams were unyielding in the defense of their goal while the sloppy conditions prevented many threats from the offensive side of the ball. In the second half, the hosts started to gain their confidence. Vincenzo Iaquinta had two opportunities within the first six minutes of the second half but could not beat Bordeaux goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso while Fabio Grosso’s free kick was pushed wide by substitute keeper Ulrich Rame. The hosts finally broke through in the 63rd minute as Fabio Cannavaro placed a well hit ball to the feet of Iaquinta who struck home the go ahead goal past Rame. Cannavaro had to leave the pitch on the 67th minute as the Azzurri captain suffered a deep thigh muscle injury. This proved to be a blow for the Bianconerri defense who gave up the equalizer against the run of play when Jaroslave Plasil headed home a Fernando Menegazzo free kick. Juve continued their pressure on Bordeaux and had a chance to win the match two minutes from time when Claudio Marchisio struck a Martin Caceres pass off the cross bar. Instead, the Old Lady had to share the points with the visitors in what has to be a disappointing start to their Champions League play.

Upcoming Matches

Bordeaux should have no problem claiming all three points in this match versus the Israeli champions. If Bayern were able to claim a 3-0 victory on the road with questionable form, Bordeaux should have a walk in the park.

Juve will be without defensive genius Fabio Cannavaro, while Tigao, Felipe Melo, Diego, and captain Alessandro Del Piero are also nursing various knocks. This could prove trouble against a Bayern side that seems to be finding their form and features a variety of offensive weapons. Expect Italy number one Gianluigi Buffon’s remarkable recent form to be put to the test as Giorgio Chiellini will have to anchor the Juve defense without Cannavaro.

Current Group A Standings (Sept. 15, 2009)

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