UEFA Champions League Group C Week 1 Results
European Football's Premier Tournament Match Week One Review
Group C Game Week 1 Match Ups – September 15, 2009
- AC Milan at Olympique Marseille
- Real Madrid at FC Zurich
AC Milan 3 – Olympique Marseille 1
Stade Velodrome, Marseille, France
On a night where a steady rain threatened conditions, the Rossoneri managed to put forth their most complete 90 minutes of this young season and left the Stade Velodrome with three valuable points . Leonardo’s side had not looked great leading up to this clash with Marseille with an embarrassing loss in the Milan derby to Inter and being held to a scoreless draw in a lackluster effort at Livorno. However, a double dose of legendary Fillipo Inzaghi was the cure all for Milan as the veteran striker’s brace gave the Italians the win. From the opening whistle, the Rossoneri pushed the tempo and were unlucky not to open their Champions League scoring account a few times within the first 20 minutes of the match. However, at the 27th minute, Inzaghi got behind the Marseille defense and powered home a Clarence Seedorf cross past Steven Mandanda to give Milan the early lead. Replays show that Inzaghi may have been off sides which is not too surprising considering that Alex Ferguson said Inzaghi was “born off sides”. The hosts managed to fight back after the restart and their persistence presence in the Milan box paid off on the 49th minute. Gabriele Heinze headed home a Benoit Cheyrou free kick past Milan keeper Marco Storari to level the score. The pressure on Milan’s back line remained throughout the half and it started to look likely that the hosts would push ahead and claim the points. However, 15 minutes from time, Milan once again called upon the Seedorf-Inzaghi connection to take the lead. Seedorf placed a well timed a chip in towards the center that Inzaghi pushed just inside the near post. Milan took the lead and the win.
Real Madrid 5 – FC Zurich 2
Letzingrund Stadion, Zurich, Switzerland
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace in his first Champions League match with Real Madrid showcasing why the Spanish giants were so willing to pay £80 million over the summer for his services. Ronaldo was joined by Raul, Gonzalo Hiquain, and Guti as Real put five goals past Zurich in a back and forth match that ended as a rout.
Ronaldo began the scoring in the 27th minute by dipping a spectacular free kick over the wall and into Johnny Leoni’s net. Seven minutes later, Raul doubled Real’s lead with an easy tap in of a Hiquain pass and the rout seemed to be on. Zurich’s plight would worsen before the half as this time Hiquain benefitted from a skillful back pass from Raul putting the visitors three goals clear. Manager Bernard Challandes must have grilled his team at the half as they came out with renewed vigor and made this match very interesting. Challandes had his XI push forward knowing that it was too late to avoid being routed and not much else was left to lose. The strategy nearly paid off as Zurich scored the next two goals within the first 20 minutes of the second half. First Xavier Margairaz beat Real keeper Iker Casillas from the spot after Casillas brought down Alexandre Alphonse in the box. In the next minute, Zurich sliced the Madrid lead to one when Silvan Aegerter nodded in a Johann Vonlanthen corner kick. Real clearly looked shaken and frustration was setting in. However, the Spaniards regained their confidence and began to once more assert their superiority on the pitch. In the 89th minute with the match still very much in question, Ronaldo sealed the victory thanks to a clumsy error by Leoni as his free kick that went off Leoni’s gloves and into the back of the net. Guti completed Real’s scoring and the visitors claimed all three points.
Upcoming Matches
- Wendesday, September 30, 2009
AC Milan versus FC Zurich – Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan, Italy
The Rossoneri seem to have found their groove without Ronaldinho (much to the chagrin of manager Leonardo and the Milan faithful). Clarence Seedorf and Andrea Pirlo are showing great form while Marco Storari has been superb in front of the nets. Meanwhile, Thiago Silva looks very much like he’ll do fine alongside rejuvenated Alessandro Nesta. With Milan finding their form with or without Ronaldinho, FC Zurich does not have much hope in this match.
Prediction: AC Milan 2 – FC Zurich 0
Real Madrid versus Olympique Marseille – Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
Real Madrid looked great, then questionable, then great again versus Zurich. They’ll have to avoid any question marks versus a Marseille side that was unfortunate not to come away from their match with Milan with a share of the points. This will not be a route by any means, but ultimately the Galacticos should control the game.
Prediction: Real Madrid 3 – Olympique Marseille 1
Current Group C Standings
- Real Madrid 3 points
- AC Milan 3 points
- Olympique Marseille 0 points
- FC Zurich 0 points.
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