September 27, 2005

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAMA

After a sleepy opening round of play two weeks ago, the UEFA Champions League sprang to life today with some thrilling displays and surprising results. Manchester United washed the bad taste of their home defeat to Blackburn in the EPL out of their mouths with a dramatic, well-earned late win over Benfica 2-1 at Old Trafford. Ruud van Nistelrooy rode to United’s rescue when he pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area to seal the vital three points. The victory showed tremendous mettle, something United have not had in great quality so far in their domestic campaign.

Elsewhere, Arsenal wronged the naysayers again by beating Ajax 2-1 away, playing their brand of stylish, attacking football rather than the timid 4-5-1 that has been the talk of Europe lately. Our plaudits to them on a fine performance. Barcelona beat up on a squabbling Udinese, 4-1, in front of a boisterous home crowd at the Nou Camp, with Ronaldinho in unstoppable form. Bayern Munich and Juventus maintained their perfect record in the competition with respective wins over Club Brugge and Rapid Vienna. Most notably, however, little FC Thun of Switzerland scored a last minute 1-0 win over Sparta Prague, propelling them to second in Group B. For a club that was amateur and playing to a hundred people only a decade ago this is extraordinary. And to think, they nearly came away with a draw from Highbury on Matchday One.

For tomorrow, the all-English tie of Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield catches the eye, though Inter Milan and Rangers in an empty San Siro (Inter are still serving their UEFA penalty for last year’s crowd disturbance in the quarterfinals) should be an interesting match-up in an eerie setting. It’s nights like tonight that make the UEFA Champions League rightfully boast that it is the greatest club competition in the world. And more is to come Wednesday. Revel in it, everybody.

Edward Knowles, International Editor, 90:00™