UEFA Champions League Group D Week 1 Results
European Football's Premier Tournament Match Week One Review
Group D Game Week 1 Match Ups – September 15, 2009
- Apoel Nicosia at Atletico Madrid
- FC Porto at Chelsea
Apoel Nicosia 0 – Atletico Madrid 0
Estadio Vicente Calderon, Madrid, Spain
Atletico Madrid continued a streak of poor performances to open their 2009-2010 season by being held to a scoreless draw by Apoel Nicosia. Atletico opened their Champions League group play with spotty first half play and were lucky not to be down at the break to Apoel. Constantinos Charalambides had a few first half chances that should have produced a goal, but the striker was stopped once by Atletico keeper Sergio Asenjo once and missed wide the second time. On the other end of the field Apoel keeper Dionisis Chiotis produced several spectacular saves to keep Apoel’s hopes of an upset alive. After the break, Atletico came alive and put forth a much different effort that created plenty of scoring opportunities. However, despite the efforts of the home side, the results were the same, zero goals and plenty of great saves by Chiotis. Diego Forlan was unlucky not to score when his long range blast struck the cross bar just minutes from full time. In the end Atletico settled for a tie with Apoel, a result that was hardly expected and one that may cost the Spaniards a chance at moving on to the knock out stages.
Chelsea 1 – FC Porto 0
Stamford Bridge, London, England
Chelsea opened their 2009-2010 Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory over visiting FC Porto on a rain soaked night in western London. The Blues, playing without suspended Didier Drogba, have high expectations for this tournament and showed good reason why as they put on a inspired performance demonstrating confident play throughout the match. Porto were, for the most part, equal to the task and held the hosts scoreless until Nicolas Anelka broke the deadlock three minutes after the break. Much credit goes to Porto keeper Helton whose fine work in front of the nets kept the score line close and gave the visitors a small margin of help. Anelka’s goal was symbolic of the sloppy field conditions as the French striker collected a pass from Salomon Kalou who had slipped, shot the ball right at Helton, only to collect the rebound and place it into the net. Messy or not, the goal put Carlo Ancelotti’s side ahead and secured all three points in this Group D opener.
Upcoming Matches
- Wednesday, September 30, 2009
FC Porto versus Atletico Madrid – Estadio do Dragao, Porto, Portugal
Atletico is off to a miserable start both in Primera and in the Champions League. They will have to find their form soon to salvage any chances of advancing to the knock out stages. With this next match pitting the Spanish club versus the club most likely to challenge their right to move on, the time to improve is now. FC Porto comes off a disappointing draw at Chelsea and will look to pounce on Atletico and move up in the Group D standings.
Prediction: FC Porto 2 – Atletico Madrid 1
Apoel Nicosia versus Chelsea – Neo GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus
Chelsea is off to a great start this season and despite the score line, looked confident in their victory over FC Porto. Apoel Nicosia, the expected group doormat, played well enough at Madrid to force a scoreless draw and claim an unexpected away point. Apoel will have to play unbelievably to hold the English giants, but ultimately the Blues are just too good with or without Didier Drogba.
Prediction: Chelsea 3 – Apoel Nicosia 0
Current Group D Standings
- Chelsea 3 points
- Apoel Nicosia 1 point
- Atletico Madrid 1 points
- FC Porto 0 points
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UEFA Champions League Group D Match Week 1 Results
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