UEFA Champions League Group B Week 1 Results

European Football's Premier Tournament Match Week One Results

Sep 21, 2009

The Champions League kicked off with some exciting matches. Here is a review of Group B's matches. CSKA Moscow at VfL Wolfsburg and Manchester United at Besiktas.

VfL Wolfsburg 3 – CSKA Moscow 1

Wolfsburg opened their 2009 Champions League campaign with an impressive victory over CSKA Moscow. Brazilian striker Grafite’s first half brace put Wolfsburg in the driver’s seat by the break and the hosts never really looked threatened. Grafite’s first strike came at the 35th minute as he took in a long pass from Zvjezdan Misimovic and calmly placed the ball between CSKA’s keeper Igor Akinfeev’s legs to put the hosts ahead. Minutes later Grafite converted a penalty kick to put Wolfsburg fully in control of the match. Deividas Semberas pulled down Grafite in the box forcing referee Stephane Lannoy to award the shot from the spot. In the 77th minute, the visitors finally made a game of it when Alan Dzagoey put home a great shot to put CSKA on the board and make the home crowd anxious for the first time all game. However, Grafite completed a hat trick on the 87th minute with a dazzling display of skill that assured the home team would walk away victorious in the Champions League debut.

Manchester United 1 – Besiktas 0

The English champions got off to a questionable start with a 1–0 victory over a spirited Besiktas in the Turkish capital. Paul Scholes header in the 77th minute proved to be the winner over a Besiktas side that made chances few and far between available to their guests. Manchester United’s first half play was characterized by a controlled, patient style of passing the ball about the pitch waiting for the right moment to strike. The problem was that the hosts were not as into the plan as United would have hoped with Matteo Ferrari, Tomas Sivok, Ibrahim Uzulmez, and Ibrahim Kas holding their line and their nerve to ward off all United attempts. After the break, Besiktas seemed to gain more confidence pushing forward and even mustered a few chances at Ben Foster’s goal. Unthwarted however, United pressed back and not long after Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen were brought in for Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney, United punched in the winning goal. Nani fired a cannon of a shot that Besiktas keeper Hakan Arikan could not handle cleanly and Scholes was placed perfectly to head home the rebound and give United three very important road points in Group B.

Upcoming Matches

CSKA Moscow versus Besiktas – Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia

CSKA were dominated on the road at Wolfsburg and need to make the most of this home game versus Besiktas to stay on the heels of Manchester United and Wolfsburg in the Group B race. With Wolfsburg traveling to Manchester, these three points are even more crucial for CSKA giving them an opportunity to draw level on points should Wolfsburg lose and CSKA win. Expect Besiktas to have something to say about all of this. A win or even a tie versus CSKA would secure crucial away points for the Turkish side. They will certainly be playing with confidence after holding United scoreless for nearly 80 minutes.

Manchester United versus VfL Wolfsburg – Old Trafford, Manchester, England

The Red Devils escaped Istanbul with a non impressive win versus Besiktas. If they show up at Old Trafford with similar form, they may find themselves on the wrong end of an impressive victory. Wolfsburg looked dangerous and fluid on the offensive side of the pitch versus CSKA and will come into Old Trafford with a “nothing to lose” attitude. This could cause United problems, but rarely do teams venture into Old Trafford with confidence, and even more rarely do they leave with points. After a few inspired performances against quality teams in the Premier League, Manchester have regained their step and Sir Alex’s squad should take control of this match. Expect a fun, fast paced match.

Current Group A Standings

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