Goals, Drama, Comeback and Upsets sum up end of Champions League Game Week 4

As the game week 4 ends the UEFA Champions League throws more and more surprises at the viewers. The matches were of such intensity that it would glue any viewer to his seat.

Group E

Juventus vs FC Nordsjælland

The Italian Champions sunk a helpless Danish side by a 4-0 margin to claim their first win of the tournament. 3 points in the match were crucial for the Old Lady as Shakthar’s performance had made a three way tie that could now go down to the last match in the group stage. Marchisio, Vidal, Giovinco and Quagliarella found the net for Juventus. Juventus are now 3rd in the group with 6 points after three draws in their first three matches. Nordsjælland are bottom of the table with one point and no hope of making it to the next round.

Chelsea vs Shakthar

When Chelsea won the Champions League last year they were the second best team in many matches and with the odds against them the lifted the trophy by defeating Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. Today they had to play a side that defeated the defending Champion’s 2-1 at their home. Shakthar looked like the better side in the first half, despite a defensive error giving away a 6th minute goal to Fernando Torres. Torres advanced on the goalkeeper after he was passed the ball back by the defender. The goalkeeper’s attempted clearance hit Torres and rebounded into the net. Shakthar showed why they have been unbeaten for 37 games by scoring the equalizer after brilliant build attack which was finished off by the Brazilian Willian. The score was 1-1 in the 9th minute. Shakthar had plenty of chances to go ahead but Chelsea held on somehow and then in the 40th minute against the run of play Chelsea went ahead once again due to a lot of luck and some excellent finishing by another Brazilian Oscar. The Shakthar goalkeeper had committed himself to a Juan Mata cross so that it wouldn’t find Torres. He ran outside the penalty area and cleared the cross before it reached Torres. The cleared ball found its way to Oscar who was near the center line. Oscar volleyed the ball in from there flat into the goal post to give the lead to the home side. The score remained unaltered till the end of first half.

Shakthar equalized within 2 minutes after the second half started and again it was Willian who scored for the away side. Chelsea looked like a much better side in the second half and were fighting hard for the 3 points that would steer them to safety in the group. Some brilliant Shakthar defending specially of corners and set pieces kept Chelsea out. Chelsea went into the match without John Terry. Luiz was all over the place in the match. In the 81st minute Roberto Di Matteo made his first substitution. He replaced the inform and their top goal scorer in the Champions League Oscar with Victor Moses. The match looked set to finish a 2-2 draw but Chelsea won a late corner just past the 3 minutes injury time. Every Chelsea player except Cech was up to take it. Hazard gave the cross and found Moses easily who headed in a free header.

The win now makes the group an interesting three way tie between The European Champions, The Italian Champions and a Shakthar side whom none would have expected to play so well.

Shakthar are still atop the table with 7 points from 4 matches and Chelsea are second with the same number of points.

Group F

Bayern Munich vs Lille

It was a 7 goal match but a pretty one sided match as Bayern Munich crushed Lille 6-1 at home. Schweinsteiger, Robben and Tony Kroos scored a goal apiece and Pizzaro scored a hat-trick. Ex Chelsea man Kalou scored a consolation goal for Lille. The win means Bayern remain at the top of the table with 9 points and Lille remain last with no points and no chance of advancing to the next round or probably even to the Europa League.

Valencia vs BATE Borisov

Borisov couldn’t produce the same magic they produced against Bayern as the lost to Valencia in another high scoring encounter. The final score line was 4-2 to Valencia. Valencia had gone 3-0 up by the 51st minute but another upset looked on the cards as BATE pulled two back. Valencia removed any doubts anyone’s minds by scoring a fourth in the 86th minute to seal a win. Valencia are now 2nd in the Group with 9 points and BATE are 3rd with 6 points.

Group G

Celtic vs Barcelona

Perhaps one of the biggest upsets so far in the Champions League. Celtic claimed a historic win over the mighty Catalans. The final score line was 2-1 for the home side, but the final score line doesn’t say the full story. Barcelona had 89% possession of the ball, 23 shots with 14 on target and one goal compared to Celtic’s mere 5 shots and 5 on target but with 2 goals in them. Celtic took a 2-0 lead by the 83rd minute only for Messi to pull one back late into the match. Barcelona are still top of the table and are surely to go to the next round but this will be a match day they want to forget and a match that the Cltic players or fans will ever forget. Barcelona have 9 points from 4 matches and Celtic have 7 from as many matches.

Benifica vs Spartak Moscow

Benifica got their first win of the tournament after they defeated Spartak Moscow 2-0 at home. Benifica have 4 points from 4 matches and Moscow have 3 from 4 matches.

Group H

Sporting Braga vs Manchester United

United staged another comeback victory as the defeated Braga 3-1 after trailing 1-0 in the 80th minute. Once again it was the ex – Arsenal man Robin Van Persie who made the impact after coming on as a substitute. Van Persie scored the equalizer in the 80th minute before Rooney gave United the lead from the spot 4 minutes later to make it 2-1 for United. Hernandez managed to score a goal after a series of mistakes from both teams just in front of the goal line. The win makes United the only side to win all their matches. They are now confirmed table toppers in Group H.

Cluj vs Galatasaray

A hat – trick by Yilmaz ensured that Galatasaray got their first win of the tournament. The Turkish side are now second in the group with FC Cluj on the same points and Braga one point behind. The three can now play for the second spot in the group and all three teams have a chance of advancing.

Tags: Barcelona, BATE Borisov, Bayern Munich, Benifica, Celtic, Chelsea, Cluj, FC Nordsjælland, Galatasaray, Juventus, Lille, Manchester United, Shakthar, Spartak Moscow, Sporting Braga, UEFA Champions League, Valencia