Manchester City’s European dream hit a roadblock as Roberto Mancini’s team stuttered at Italian side Napoli thus leaving them in third place in Group A before the last Matchday. It wasn’t the best day at Old Trafford either as the Red Devils were held to a 2-2 by Portuguese club Benefica, thus leaving Ferguson’s men requiring a point to go through when they travel to Switzerland on December 7. 2010 winners Inter Milan progressed through to the second round after a draw at Trabzonspor while runners-up Bayern Munich sealed their place with a convincing victory against Villarreal.
UEFA Champions League: Manchester wobble as Bayern, Benefica and Inter go through
Manchester City needed a win at Napoli to seal their spot in the knockout phases while a draw would do no harm. But goals from either half from City target Edinson Cavani helped Napoli have their qualification fate in their own hands after they moved a point clear of the visitors. Napoli will travel to Villareal knowing that they would go through if they match whatever City can manage against Bayern Munich at home on the last day of the group. Bayern Munich, on the other hand, were assured of top spot from the group after a Frank Ribery brace helped them secure a 3-1 victory over the already eliminated Villareal
Alex Ferguson went into the game against Benefica with Dimitar Berbatov up front after Wayne Rooney was ruled out with an injury. After Phil Jones’ own goal had given the visitors the lead, United were back in front after goals from Berbatov and Darren Fletcher but a second half equalizer from Pablo Aimar left the former champions with work to do on Matchday 6 where they would require atleast a point at FC Basel. Basel did their qualification chances no harm with a 3-2 win over Otelul Galati and now sit on 8 points, one behind United and Benefica while a win against Galati would ensure Benefica the top spot in Group C.
Lille’s win at CSKA Moscow ensured that Inter would go through before the kick off at Turkey. But the second spot was still up for grabs with all the remaining three teams in with a chance and Trabzonspor’s point against Inter meant that they remained in second place with 6 points, ahead of Lille and CSKA who are on five points. Trabzonspor travel to Lille on December 7 with the winner going through while a draw accompanied by a CSKA victory at Inter would ensure the Russian team’s progress.
Real Madrid continued their 100 percent success in the tournament as they ran riot winning 6-2 at home against Dinamo Zagreb thus giving Mourinho’s team the top spot in Group D while Ajax’s goalless draw at Lyon ensured that the Dutch squad are on the brink of qualification. Lyon lie in third place with five points, three behind Ajax and with an inferior goal difference, thus requiring Real to do them a huge favor when the nine time champions travel to the Amsterdam Arena on Matchday 6.
Tags: Bayern Munich, Benefica, Inter Milan, Manchester City, Napoli, Roberto Mancini, UEFA Champions League
