UEFA Champions League-Matchday 5
2008-09 UEFA Champions League Results & Reports Nov 25
Group E
Villareal and Manchester United played out a rather uneventful goalless draw at the Madrigal to see both sides through to the last sixteen with a game to spare.
A fierce shot from World Player of the Year elect Cristiano Ronaldo was superbly tipped onto the bar by Diego Lopez in the games best piece of action.
Villareal were reduced to ten men late on when Spanish international Capdevila was given a straight red card for a high challenge on Ronaldo, who had come in from some close attention throughout the game.
Holders United, with a superior goal difference and a home game to come against AaB Aalborg, will be strong favorites to clinch first place.
Celtic looked set to clinch third spot, and a UEFA Cup place, when a Barry Robson header gave them an early second half lead against Aalborg, but a deflected Caca strike from distance and a very late Gary Caldwell own goal turned the match on it’s head, and sealed a fortunate victory for the Danish Champions and secured third place for Allan Kuhn’s side.
Group F
Olympic Lyon and Bayern Munich both claimed comfortable victories that ensured progression to the next round.
Both teams are locked on eleven points and, having drawn previously in Munich, will have first place to play for when the teams meet again at The Stade Gerland, Lyon on Matchday 6.
Goals from their international strike pairing of Miroslav Klose(2) and Luca Toni gave Bayern a 3-0 home win over Romanians Steaua Bucharest.
Two early strikes from midfielder Jean Makoun and in demand forward Karim Benzema had Lyon in cruise control in Florence.
Fiorentina replied through their Italian international Alberto Gilardino on the stroke of half time but it was the French side that controlled the second half to seal a 2-1 win.
Fiorentina must avoid defeat in their final match, away to Steaua, if they are to remain in third place and claim the UEFA Cup spot.
Group G
Arsenal put their domestic problems behind them with a 1-0 home win over Ukrainians Dynamo Kiev.
New captain Cesc Fabregas’ free kick was controlled and finished by Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner with only three minutes remaining to ensure that the Gunners will be in the knockout stages come next year.
They will be joined in the last sixteen by 2004 winners FC Porto, who triumphed 2-1 in Turkey against Fernebache, thanks to a first half double from Lisandro Lopez.
Colin Kazim-Richards replied for the Turks who must now win in Kiev to claim third place.
Porto can still claim top spot in the group with a home win over Arsenal in the final group match.
Group H
Nine-time winners Real Madrid had Raul, the Champions League record goalscorer with sixty five goals, to thank for their 1-0 victory over BATE Borisov in Bulgaria.
This victory sees them join Juventus in the next round. With a two point lead over Real and a home game to come against BATE, the Italians will be strong favorites to win the group.
Zenit St Petersburg, who drew 0-0 at home to Juventus, clinched third place and will get the chance to defend the UEFA Cup they won in Manchester in May.
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