Football United

Slavia won the home game against the ruling champions Banik Ostrava 1-0, although they had more possession and put Banik under pressure, especially in the first half, they were unable to add the second goal. The winner was scored early in the seventh minute after very good play from Adauto, Karel Pitak shot on the turn and the ball was slightly deflected into the net by Martin Latka. Slavia earned ten corner kicks in the first half, were the better side in the second half, but Ostrava still could have equalised in the final minutes. Luckily Radek Cerny denied Ostrava striker Zdenek Pospech. Slavia recorded their fourth straight victory.

Slavia line-up: R. Cerny - M. Svec, M. Holenak, R. Bejbl, J. Rychlik - K. Pitak, M. Latka, P. Gedeon, L. Sedlacek - E. Adauto da Silva (78. P. Kuka), S. Vlcek (81. P. Fort)

Ostrava line-up: M. Raska - R. Latal, P. Besta, J. Dvornik, J. Hoffmann (46. L. Zurek) - Z. Pospech, D. Bystron, P. Zavadil, D. Kotrys (63. P. Tomasak), M. Cizek - M. Matusovic

Goal: 7. Martin LATKA

Source: Slavia.cz

Nice : Grégorini - Varrault, Abardonado, Cobos, Grenet - Vahirua (Traoré, 66e), Roudet, Balmont (Die, 87e), Bisconti - Ayeli, Jankauskas (Linz, 56e). Entr. : Rohr.

PSG : Letizi - Mendy, Armand, Helder, Pierre-Fanfan, Pichot (Bamba, 89e) - Pancrate, Boskovic (M'Bami, 56e), Cissé, Cana - Reinaldo (Pauleta, 79e). Entr. : Halilhodzic.

Goals: Traoré (68e) for Nice ; Pancrate (36e) for PSG.

Source: PSG.fr

Thanks to a hat trick by Giovanni (6th, 43rd and 90+) as well as one by Djordjevic (23rd minute) Olympiacos CFP beat Ionikos in Neapoli by a large score 4 – 0, playing for the Hellenic championship’s match day 9 and proved the predictions true as traditionally the reds win almost every time against Ionikos in Neapoli in this competition (12 victories, 2 draws, 0 defeats).

Early, in the 6th minute, Olympiacos CFP slotted home the opener and made their fans a two sided promise: a successful result combined with a great performance, against a very tough opponent.

Castillo made a run for the center of the box and tried to loft the ball over Bekiay. However, the home team’s goalkeeper deflected the ball saving his team only temporarily as Giovanni came along and netted the opener as he was up against an empty post. On 23 minutes, Georgatos (free kick), Giovanni (with his heal) and Djordjevic made a beautiful combination and Olympiacos CFP captain scored the second goal for the reds, again with a loft. In the 29th minute, Ionikos was deprived a player as King grabbed Castillo by the neck, away from the ball, and was directly sent off to the locker rooms. On 38 minutes, Kafes was awarded a penalty after a foul by Diamantis but Castillo lost the one on one against Bekiay who deflected the ball with his fists. On 43 minutes, the reds scored their third goal (0 – 3) following a nice combination between Castillo, Djordjevic, Georgatos and Giovanni. The Brazilian player was the last to receive the ball and had no trouble at all performing a loft and scoring his personal second goal.

In the second half, Olympiacos kept up their pressure on their opponents, but only in one more case did their effort flourish. In the extra time, Djordjevic set up the ball to Giovanni who entered the box and calmly achieved a hat trick while at the same time scoring the fourth goal for the reds (0 – 4).

Ionikos (Vaggelis Vlahos): Bekiay, Digozis, Ofridopoulos, King, Maggos (60 Kotitsas), Makor, Melabianakis, Kiriakidis, Letieri (82 Tsiblidis), Diamantis (70 Zivkovic), Gavrilopoulos.

Olympiacos CFP (Dusan Bajevic): Nikopolidis, Pantos, Anatolakis, Schurrer (74 Vallas), Georgatos, Stoltidis, Kafes (65 Maric), Georgiadis, Djordjevic, Castillo (62 Okkas), Giovanni.

Source: olympiacos.org

The 12th round of the Portuguese SuperLiga was overshadowed by the death of a supporter during UD Leiria's 1-0 victory over SL Benfica on Sunday. The 45-year-old fan died soon after arriving at the Leiria hospital from injuries sustained when he fell from the second tier of a stand at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa during the first half.

Fangueiro scores
Carlos Manuel Fangueiro got the only goal of the game as Benfica, who lost for only the second time in the league this season, missed out on the chance to replace Boavista FC at the top of the table.

Source: Uefa.com

VÉLEZ: Gastón Sessa; Fabián Cubero, Hernán Pellerano, Maximiliano Pellegrino, Marcelo Bustamante; Marcelo Bravo (Ladino, 83'); Leandro Somoza, Jonás Gutiérrez (Sena, 70'), Patricio Pérez (Ocampo, 56'); Rolando Zárate, Lucas Valdemarín.

RIVER: Franco Costanzo; Javier Gandolfi (José Maria Sand, 70'), Cristian Nasuti, Eduardo Tuzzio, Lucas Mareque; Javier Mascherano, Cristian Ledesma (Jairo Patiño, 70'), Luis González; Marcelo Gallardo; Maximiliano López (Nélson Cuevas, 62', Gastón Fernández.

GOALS: 1-0, Zárate (31')

FC Utrecht: Ponk,Cornelisse, Keller, Schut, Shew-Atjon (Kruys/79), De Jong (Rajcomar/46), Tanghe, Broerse (Zuidam/68), Douglas, Mols, Van den Bergh

De Graafschap: Van Dijk, Bot,v.d.Kruis, Bus, Berck Beelenkamp (Carrilho/4), Kooijman, Zongo (Van Leerdam/58), De Graef, Magno, Van Beukering (Valeev/79), Ax

Goal: 81. Kruys

FÉNIX: Ignacio De León; Leonel Pilipauskas, Alejandro Lago, Alvaro Meneses, Fernando Fajardo; Richard Pellejero, Marcelo Broli, Víctor López (Germán Alvarez, 67') , Carlos Grosnile (Alonso Zúñiga, 72'); Fabián Estoyanoff, Nicolás Vigneri (Dany González, 58')

PEÑAROL: Fernando González; Carlos Diogo, Cristian González, Eduardo Mieres, Iván Guerrero; Nicolás Rotundo, Fabián Césaro (Daniel Pereira, 62'), Cristian Rodríguez, Alejandro Correa Rodríguez (Mario Leguizamón, 75'); Carlos Bueno, Jorge Serna (Gonzalo Pizzichillo, 45')

GOALS: 0-1, Guerrero (1'); 0-2, Césaro (61'); 0-3, Bueno (90')

ESTRELA: Veiga; Quim Berto (Semedo, 45'), Hugo Carreira, Carlos, Wesnalton (Adilson, 64'); Rui Borges, Pedro Simões, Frederik Sodestrom, Bruno Mauro; Henrique (Davide, 57'), Rómulo

VARZIM: Litos; Alexandre, Lemos (Marcus, 63'), Erivan, Pedro Santos; Emanuel, Gilmar, Jocivalter; Costé, Pedrinho (Mendonça, 52'), Nuno Santos (Delfim, 75').

GOALS: 0-1, Costé (17'); 1-1, Rómulo (56'); 2-1, Carreira (62')

SENT-OFF: Marcus (71'); Emanuel (90')

WISŁA: Majdan - Baszczyński, Głowacki, Stolarczyk (78. Fechner), Mijailović (64. Kłos), Kwiek, Cantoro, Szymkowiak, Zieńczuk, Omeonu (63. Frankowski), Żurawski.

SZCZAKOWIANKA: Bledzewski - Naskręt, Hosić, Księżyc, Kaliciak, Seweryn, Radziwon (84. Chudy), Copik, Piegzik, Iwański, Solnica (80. Węgier)

GOALS: 1-0, Szymkowiak (5.min); 2-0, Cantoro (13.min); 3-0, Głowacki (41.min); 4-0, Cantoro (54.min)

CHIEVO: Marchegiani; Moro, Mandelli, D'Anna, Lanna; Semioli, Brighi, Baronio (Zanchetta, 80'), Malagò (Luciano, 73'); Tiribocchi (Pellissier, 57'), Cossato

MILAN: Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Maldini, Kaladze; Dhorasoo, Ambrosini, Seedorf (Gattuso, 78'); Kakà, Rui Costa (Pirlo, 86'); Crespo

GOALS: 0-1, Crespo (50')

Ferencváros: Szűcs; Balog, Gyepes, Lipcsei; Zavadszky (Bognár, 60.), Rósa, (Kapic, 29.), Zováth, Leandro (Csepregi, 71.); Tőzsér; Sowunmi, Vagner.

Honvéd: Erdélyi; Bábik, Vámosi, Budovinszky, Mészáros; Dobos (Dancs, 69.); Horky (Facskó, 80.), Szili, Vén; Csobánki (Bojtor, 46.), Genito

Goals: 1-0, Zavadszky (15.); 2-0, Gyepes (19.); 3-0, Sowunmi (66.); 4-0, Vagner (76.)

HSV showed tremendous character on Saturday afternoon, as they won 3-1 away at Borussia Mönchengladbach in round 15 of the Bundesliga, despite having to compensate for the silly sending off of Khalid Boulahrouz after 54 minutes. Two goals by Sergej Barbarez and one by Stefan Beinlich sent Thomas Doll and Co. up to eighth place in the Bundesliga table. It is the first time that HSV has occupied that spot this season and is now only 2 points behind the 5th place Bremen.

Early chances
HSV started the match on top and put the home side under some early pressure. Thomas Doll’s side however, had little luck in the opening exchanges, as first Jarolim (4.) and then Takahara (6.) went close. Slowly but surely, Gladbach found their rhythm, and it took them a quarter of an hour to finally slow down the waves of HSV attacks. On 19 minutes Oliver Neuville turned and blasted a shot just over Martin Pieckenhagen’s bar from the edge of the box.



Dead ball situations pay off
Just before half time HSV struck twice. A beautifully flighted ball onto the head of Klingbeil at the far post by Beinlich was headed into the path of three HSV players all alone in the Gladbach area. Sergej Barbarez reacted quickest to fire in what was his 50th goal for HSV and deservedly put HSV ahead. Four minutes later Christian Ziege fouled David Jarolim on the edge of the Gladbach area. Up stepped Stefan Beinlich to score with a fabulous shot which hit the inside of Kampa’s left hand post before nestling in the back of the net. HSV went into the break well worth their two goal lead.

Piecke boob…
In round 14, HSV went behind after 19 seconds of the first half during their 3-1 win at home to Wolfsburg. In round 15, only 19 seconds after the referee started the second half in Gladbach, the home side scored, as Neuville’s shot was parried into the path of van Hout who came on at the start of the second half. He didn’t need asking twice, scoring easily from 10 metres out.



Boulahrouz gets his marching orders
That goal gave the home side hope and they must have thought the game was swinging their way, as on 54 minutes Boulahrouz was rather stupidly sent off for applauding the referee for giving him a yellow card.

Gladbach pressure
Gladbach Tried to make the most of the now newly organised HSV defence. They only managed to create one chance as Ulich went too close for HSV comfort, blasting a shot inches wide. HSV concentrated on counter attacking and were dangerous on the break, especially when their second half substitute Mpenza was involved.



Killer blow
On 82 minutes the game was all over bar the shouting. Barbarez advanced into the Gladbach area with the ball at his feet, where he was nudged by the former HSV striker Marek Heinz. The Bosnian fell and the ref pointed to the penalty spot. Barbarez got up and scored his 6th goal of the season to plunge Gladbach deep into trouble. Gladbach were unlucky during the final minutes of the match as Sverkos (85.) and Strasser (88.) hit the woodwork.

Key players out of Hanover match
Sergej Barbarez and Khalid Boulahrouz will be missing fort he round 16 match in the AOL Arena against Hanover. Barbarez picked up his fifth yellow card, and the yellow /red card given to Boulahrouz carries a one match suspension with it.



Bor. M'gladbach: Kampa - Ziege (72.Schlaudraff), Pletsch, Strasser, Korzynietz - Carnell (46.van Hout), Demo (78.Broich), Ulich, Heinz - Neuville, Sverkos

HSV: Pieckenhagen - Schlicke, van Buyten, Boulahrouz, Klingbeil - Wicky, Jarolim, Beinlich (90.Rahn), Moreira (56.Benjamin) - Barbarez, Takahara (69.Mpenza)


Goals: 0:1 Barbarez (40.), 0:2 Beinlich (44.), 1:2 van Hout (46.), 1:3 Barbarez (82.)

Source: HSV.de

Three goals by two Brazilians brought us another three points in the Süper Lig as we beat Diyarbakırspor 3-0. Marco Aurelio started the scoring with a goal of the season contender, while Alex de Souza netted one free-kick and hit another goal in the second half.
With no Pierre van Hooijdonk again, Christoph Daum played Serhat Akın up front, with Alex and Tuncay Şanlı supporting. Önder Turacı kept his place at right back, playing another good game, but Aurelio was the star man of the show.

The afro-style haired Brazilian was as active as always from the first second, but this time he added magic to his performance. In the 7th minute, he took the ball from the halfway line, taking on players on the left touch line, doing a step-over, then nut-megging one defender to cut in sharply, then striking in from the near side, the ball going in after hitting both the posts. With this high achieved, Marco carried on by winning possession all over the pitch.

Tuncay should have done better with a chance two minutes later, but he hit at the keeper after receiving a pass on the end of a great move. Alex attempted another extraordinary goal in the 18th minute, hitting a long distance free-kick straight at goal, but Murat tipped over well. The resulting corner was taken by the same talent, hit to his compatriot Fabio Luciano who`s header was cleared off the line.

Rüştü was called on to perform a good save in the 35th minute, blocking Yasin`s close range header.

Two minutes before time, we doubled the lead with Alex`s free-kick, going in off Murat`s fingertips then from the underside of the crossbar.

We continued attacking Diyarbakırspor who looked physically weak up-front and unable to stop our movements down the flanks.

Alex continued to create chances and gave Serhat Akın the opportunity to score in the 82nd minute but his effort wasn`t good enough and it bounced off Murat into safety for the visitors. Alex may have got his second in the 84th minute onto substitute Murat Hacıoğlu`s pass but he had the luck he needed in the 87th minute, when he controlled and struck in another sub, Serkan Balcı`s pull back to the edge of the box.

Fenerbahçe: Rüştü Reçber, Fabio Luciano, Servet Çetin, Önder Turacı, Ümit Özat, Kemal Aslan (57` Fabiano Lima Rodriguez), Mehmet Yozgatlı, Niyazi Serhat Akın, Tuncay Şanlı, Marco Aurelio, Alex De Souza

Diyarbakırspor: Murat, Göksel, Burhan, Cem Beceren, Sinan Demircioğlu, Serdar, Jupi, Yasin, Cumhur, Cem Yanık, Sinan Kaloğlu

Goals: 7` Marco Aurelio, 43`, 88` Alex De Souza

Source: Fenerbahçe.org

Eredivisie leaders PSV have coasted to a convincing 2-0 win over FC Twente in the Eindhoven Philips Stadium on Saturday night. The visitors, who last recorded a win in Eindhoven some twenty years ago, had no influence in things and were rarely threatening. 30.500 spectators saw PSV claim victory for the eleventh time in succession. Moreover their favourite team kept a clean sheet for the eleventh time in a row as well in a rather uneventful game.

PSV took the lead on fifteen minutes, when FC Twente keeper Cees Paauwe embarrassingly failed to stop a long distance effort from Gerald Sibon. The ball went through his legs and slowly crossed the line; 1-0 PSV dominated proceedings from start to finish and the game never became a proper game. The visitors were not able to earn one great chance and the only relevant question seemed to be when PSV would double the advantage. Johann Vogel, Phillip Cocu (who hit the bar with a header) and Jefferson Farfán all had their chances.

After the break the game continued in the same vein. It was one-way traffic towards the goal defended by FC Twente, but PSV did not up a gear. The Eindhoven dominated and were close to scoring a second goal, when Sibon could not get contact with a superb Van Bommel crossed. The tall striker missed the ball by one inch. FC Twente created one chance; substitute Raymond Fafiani shot on target and Gomes, the Brazilian PSV keeper, pulled off a fine save with an athletic dive.



PSV doubled the advantage on 66 minutes. Cocu simply headed home a free kick taken by substitute DaMarcus Beasley, who had been brought on for Farfán. The game was killed off and twenty minutes from final time it was not hard to answer the question which team would be the winning side tonight. Johan Vonlanthen left the bench on 72 minutes to replace his country fellow Vogel. FC Twente start striker Blaise N’Kufo was a lone wolf up front and in vain he waited to be set up by his team mates for the full 90 minutes.

PSV will now play three away games in a row. The team will be on the road to De Graafschap next Saturday night and they will face Panathinaikos and Feyenoord. PSV will entertain Roda JC on Saturday 18 December, which is the last game before the winter break.

Goals: 15 Sibon, 66 Cocu

Source: PSV.nl

Peñarol: Fernando González; Carlos Diogo (Sergio Leal, 56'), Eduardo Mieres, Cristian González, Iván Guerrero; Fabián Césaro, Nicolás Rotundo, Alejandro Correa Rodríguez, Mario Leguizamón (Daniel Hernandez, 79'); Carlos Bueno (Jorge Serna, 45'), Gonzalo Pizzichillo.

Defensor: Juan Castillo; Nelson Semperena (Alvaro González, 46'), Diego Juame, William Martínez, Carlos Díaz; Maximiliano Pereira, Fernando Fadeuille, Sebastián Ariosa (Andrés Aparicio, 67'), Diego De Souza; Gonzalo Vargas, Danilo Peinado (Sebastián Taborda, 72').

Goals: 0-1 Peinado (45'); 1-1, Leguizamón (46')

Athletic Club: Pampín; Iraola, Murillo, Prieto, Casas; Orbaiz, Gurpegui (Bordas, min.85); Arriaga, Yeste (Tiko, min.66), Ezquerro; Urzaiz (Azkorra, min.77).

Racing de Santander; Aouate; Pedro López, Oriol, Moratón, Bertín, Regueiro; Parri, Anderson (Matabuena, min.63), Morán (Arizmendi, min.63); Banayoun, Javi Guerrero.

Goals: 1-0, min.7: Ezquerro. 2-0, min.25: Gurpegui. 3-0, min.63: Urzaiz.

Botafogo: Max; Ruy, Gustavo, Scheidt, Renatinho; Fernando, Túlio, Caio, Elvis (Schwenck); Ricardinho (Almir), Alex Alves (Valdo).

Guarani: Jean; João Leonardo, Gláuber (Simão), Juninho; Harison, Marcos Paulo, Careca, Sandro Hiroshi (Léo), Mariano (Netinho); Catatau, Roncatto.

Goal: 1-0, Alex Alves (52')

The Wolves suffered their second home defeat of the season as the visiting side Hertha edged a five goal thriller on Saturday afternoon. The capital city club ran out the 3-2 winners of the round 15 Bundesliga match, in front of 25,000 in the VOLKSWAGEN ARENA. The Hertha hero of the day was Marcelinho, who put in a world class performance, scoring all three of Hertha’s goals. It was the third successive away win for coach Falko Götz and Co.

Spotlight on the playmakers
The game was always going to be an interesting affair with Wolfsburg strong at home and Hertha strong away from home. The spotlight was especially focused on the playmakers. Andres D’Alessandro of Wolfsburg returned to the side after serving a two match suspension. On the other side of the halfway line stood Hertha’s brilliant Brazilian, Marcelinho. The visitors began the brighter of the two sides and Thorben Marx missed a good chance to put his side ahead after only three minutes. His right footed shot shaved a post as it flew wide.

Sarpei boobs – Marcelinho ice cold
After 16 minutes Hertha took the lead, as Hans Sarpei inexplicably messed up an attempted back pass which Marcelinho latched onto and showed the Wolves player a clean pair of heels as he sped off. The Brazilian playmaker rounded the Wolfsburg keeper Jentzsch before coolly slotting home from 10 metres out. That goal shocked and numbed the home side, who looked punch drunk for a while. Sarpei never got over his boob and was promptly substituted by Erik Gerets after only 25 minutes. He was replaced by striker Thomas Brdaric, a move which was to prove to be the right one later in the game. On 35 minutes Marcelinho had a gilt edged opportunity to put his side two goals up, but good work by Simon Jentzsch thwarted the Hertha midfielder. Hertha went into the half time break with a slender but deserved one goal lead.

Brdaric gives Wolfsburg hope
It took only two minutes after the start of the second half for the army of several thousand travelling Hertha faithful to be sent into raptures of joy again. Marcelinho duped Maik Franz in the Wolfsburg penalty area, before firing home a shot into the left hand corner from 1 metres out. Hertha’s joy was short lived because Wolfsburg’s best player Pablo Thiam scored on 50 minutes with a superbly struck shot from 2 metres outside the area. After 68 minutes Thomas Brdaric justified his participation as he headed in a Petrov free kick. It was his first headed goal since joining the Wolves from Hanover at the start of the season.

Marcelinho grabs his third
Marcelinho easily the man of the match, was in no mood to settle for a point. On 74 minutes he once again capitalised on a mistake by the home side, as Franz lost possession to the Brazilan who rounded Jentzsch again before gleefully slotting home from an acute angle. Towards the end Wolfsburg tried hard, but could not breach the strong Hertha defence. It was the second home defeat for Erik Gerets and Co. The win was Hertha’s third straight victory away from home. The man of the day was undoubtedly Marcelinho, who was world class in Wolfsburg. The Wolves are now third in the Bundesliga table. They could drop to fourth should VfB Stuttgart win away to Hanover on Sunday.


VfL Wolfsburg: Jentzsch - Sarpei (25. Brdaric), Franz (78. Hristov), Hofland, Weiser - Karhan, Schnoor, Thiam - D'Alessandro (84. Ahumada) - Klimowicz, Petrov

Hertha : Fiedler - Schröder, Madlung, Simunic, Fathi - Kovac (61. Dardai) - Marx, Bastürk, Marcelinho (81. Bobic), Gilberto - Rafael (70. Reina)

Goals: 0:1 Marcelinho (16.), 0:2 Marcelinho (47.), 1:2 Thiam (50.), 2:2 Brdaric (68.), 2:3 Marcelinho (74.)

Source: vfl-wolfsburg.de

SL Benfica closed in on the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup with an impressive 2-0 defeat of NK Dinamo Zagreb at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. First-half goals from Tomislav Šokota and Simão Sabrosa made for a comfortable evening for Giovanni Trapattoni’s side.

Tone set
The tone was set before the whistle when Benfica’s symbol – a giant eagle – swooped into the stadium, accompanied by rousing classical music, to land on a statue of the club crest. Dinamo went into the match with a new coach after confirming the appointment of Ilija Loncarevic, who stepped in when Nenad Gracan resigned following the 4-2 defeat by HNK Rijeka at the weekend, and appeared overawed by the occasion.

Close call
Trapattoni’s team began in dominant fashion, stroking the ball around at the back and appearing immediately settled. Their poise, however, was almost wrecked when Dinamo striker Eduardo Da Silva, the Brazilian-born Croatian international, latched on to a long ball over the top and nearly slotted in at the far corner in the fourth minute.

Fine header
The hosts soon reasserted themselves and Šokota was only prevented from lashing in a drive from close range by a last-ditch tackle. But the Croatian striker did not have to wait long before opening the scoring with a fine header. The forward contorted his body in the air to power in a precise cross from the left from Portuguese international Simão.

Cool Simão
Dinamo went about levelling immediately, defender Marijan Buljat unloading a vicious shot from just outside the box which goalkeeper José Moreira tipped over. Ten minutes later, Dinamo found themselves 2-0 down after conceding a penalty. Simão, who crossed tirelessly all evening, was ordered to take the spot-kick twice because he broke his run during his original successful attempt. To the delight of the home faithful, he struck his second into the same corner as he had the first.

Counterattacking spectacle
Dinamo began the second half with conviction, knowing they needed to score early to stand any chance of avoiding going home empty-handed. The positive attitude ensured the match developed into an entertaining counterattacking spectacle. Right-back João Pereira enjoyed greater opportunity to press forward and his 54th-minute ball, after he skipped through a series of challenges, was almost tucked away by the rangy Azar Karadas.

Šokota chanceŠokota looked to have collected his second goal of the evening in the 57th minute, but the bar came to goalkeeper Vladimir Vasilj’s rescue when he was clearly beaten. Dinamo were unfortunate not to pull a goal back when Norwegian forward Karadas almost turned a free-kick from Edin Mujcin into his own net.

Karic miss
The visitors’ only other chance to strike in the remainder of the game fell to substitute Veldin Karic, whose well-struck shot fizzed wide in the 77th minute. Benfica face their next opponents, Belgian side KSK Beveren, on 2 December while Dinamo will now have plenty to do in their two forthcoming matches against SC Heerenveen and VfB Stuttgart.



BENFICA – Moreira; João Pereira, Ricardo Rocha, Luisão e Fyssas; Geovanni (85’, Manuel dos Santos), Petit (15’, Paulo Almeida), Manuel Fernandes e Simão Sabrosa (cap.); Sokota (77’, Bruno Aguiar) e Azar Karadas

DÍNAMO ZAGREB – Vladimir Vasilj; Buljat (62’, Strok), Poldrugac, Andre Mijatovic e Damir Milinovic; Pranjic, Bosnjak (46’, Lucic), Agic, Mujcin, Kranjcar (46’, Karic) e Eduardo da Silva

Goals: Sokota (11’) e Simão Sabrosa g.p (29’)

Source: Uefa.com, slbenfica.pt

Club Brugge KV claimed the first three points of their UEFA Cup Group C campaign with a narrow win against Dutch neighbours FC Utrecht at the Jan Breydel stadium.

Lange strike
Down to ten men following Nastja Ceh’s red card on the stroke of half-time, Brugge were grateful for Norwegian striker Rune Lange who notched the only goal of the game just after the hour mark.

Brugge solid
It was a lead the Belgian league leaders never looked like relinquishing, despite their numerical inferiority, and the visitors’ frustration finally boiled over when they too were reduced to ten men, Tim Cornelisse seeing red in the final minute. The result leaves Utrecht without a point from three games.

Next up
Coach Trond Sollied must now take his revitalised side to FK Austria Wien, who lost 1-0 against group leaders FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, next week. Utrecht, meanwhile, are now depending on a highly unlikely set of results if they are to have anything to play for when they meet the Austrians in three weeks’ time.

Goal: 62' Lange

Source: Uefa.com

FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk secured their passage to the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup by recording their third successive Group C win, overcoming FK Austria Wien thanks to Serhiy Nazarenko's first-half strike.

Composed finish
The Ukrainian midfield player confirmed his side's place in the first knockout round in the 20th minute, despatching a shot from the edge of the penalty area past a stranded Joseph Didulica in the Austria goal and into the corner of the net.

Opening goal
Dnipro started quietly and had to rely on their well-disciplined defence to keep the visitors at bay, with Austria's Libor Sionko almost breaking through in the eighth minute. However, Dnipro soon came to life and took the lead midway through the half thanks to Nazarenko's unerringly finish. Twenty-five thousand fans celebrated the goal, and shortly after another roar from the stands accompanied goalkeeper Vyacheslav Kernozenko's save after Jocelyn Blanchard shot from distance.

Counter attack
The remainder of the first half passed without incident but after the break both sides upped the tempo as the temperature dropped. Dnipro tried to counter every Austria attack by replying with efforts of their own, and on 58 minutes Nazarenko almost doubled their lead, wasting a chance when clean through on goal.

Austria danger
The away side were still a threat and with nine minutes left substitute Vladimir Janocko unleashed a dangerous shot towards goal, but the ball flew narrowly wide. Blanchard forced a full-stretch save from Kernozenko a few minutes later, but Dnipro successfully defended their lead to maintain their perfect record. The Ukrainian side will go to Real Zaragoza on 1 December seeking a fourth victory, while Austria will seek to revive their own qualification hopes at home against Club Brugge KV on the same day.

Goal: 20' Nazarenko

Source: Uefa.com

Robbie Neilson scored a dramatic late winner as Heart of Midlothian FC secured their first points of UEFA Cup Group A against FC Basel 1893.

Fans delight
The full-back's last-minute goal, his first for the club, sent the travelling fans into raptures, just as both teams looked ready to settle for a point. Striker Dennis Wyness had given Hearts a surprise half-time lead before Basel substitute César Carignano restored parity.

Teams' injuries
Basel coach Christian Gross had to do without injured pair Mladen Petric and Murat Yakin, both missing from their last match against Swiss Cup rivals FC Thun, while John Robertson missed suspended midfield players Patrick Kisnorbo and Paul Hartley, but welcomed back captain Steven Pressley and Mark de Vries.

First chance
Basel were first to threaten. Striker Christian Giménez lashed a shot towards the far corner in the opening moments that needed a fine stop from Craig Gordon, the young goalkeeper blocking the shot, before Julio Rossi missed the rebound.

Referee involved
Basel continued to dominate, restricting the visitors to forays into the penalty area by set-piece alone. Indeed, Hearts needed help from the referee to create their first chance. An accidental intervention by the official allowed Michael Stewart time to shoot in the penalty area, the 23-year-old missing at the far post.

Surprise opener
Galvanised by that near miss, Roberston's team took a surprise lead moments later. Another set-piece exposed Basel, as Hearts played the ball low instead of aiming high for De Vries. Three quick passes found Wyness in space and the striker made no mistake in slotting the ball past goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbühler.

Back come Basel
Now forced to launch more committed attacks, Basel subjected Hearts to increased pressure, responding to the goal well. Only some desperate last-ditch defending denied Scott Chipperfield, Pressley playing a captain's part in throwing himself in front of the goal-bound effort.

Open match
Basel started the second half how they had ended the first, but it was Hearts who punched through twice in quick succession in the opening moments. Robertson had clearly instructed his team not to sit back, a tactic that led to an open game with action at both ends. Chipperfield again went close, this time denied by some heroic goalkeeping, Gordon saving the Australian's point-blank diving header.

Carignano scores
Basel's failure to equalise despite some decent chances was not lost on Gross, who reshuffled his attack midway through the half. His changes quickly paid dividends, substitute Carignano needing only ten minutes to level matters, the striker holding off Alan Maybury before shooting high past Gordon.

Last-gasp winner
Basel pressed for a winner as the clock ticked down before Hearts' last-gasp winner. A speculative attack - more to relieve defensive pressure than to seriously threaten goal - paid off as Neilson advanced well beyond his station and sent his shot under the body of Zuberbühler with only moments left. Rejuvenated Hearts now sit out the next round of matches while Basel face Ferencvárosi TC on 1 December.

Goals: 31' Wyness (0-1); 77' Carignano (1-1); 89' Neilson (1-2)

Source: Uefa.com

FC Barcelona failed to turn their first-half superiority into triumph at home against Celtic FC on Matchday 5 as Martin O'Neill's side went out of the UEFA Champions League with their heads held high.

Just reward
A John Hartson goal, just before half-time, was the reward for a brave night's work as it cancelled out an opener from Samuel Eto'o, Barcelona's leading scorer this season.

Creativity sacrificed
Celtic had started with all the organisation and confidence which you expect from an O'Neill-trained side. With both Dianbobo Balde and Didier Agathe fit, the Celtic manager was effectively at full strength but chose to leave out creative players like Juninho Paulista, Henri Camara and Aiden McGeady in order to attempt containing the home side in a 4-4-2 formation.

Chaotic defending
It had seemed that the idea would work, and frustrate Barcelona, until a series of chaotic events in Celtic's penalty box indicated that the first goal was due to arrive. First, Jackie McNamara almost sliced a clearance past his own goalkeeper Magnus Hedman and then the Swede was forced into a number of desperate clearances away from his own goalmouth.

Eto'o opener
Then Barcelona struck. Eto'o drifted deep to pick up the ball and, crucially, was allowed to turn and run at Celtic's defence before playing a wonderfully executed one-two with Deco and poking the ball past Hedman. It was all the encouragement the crowd and Eto'o needed.

Slick Barça
Celtic were already having trouble retaining possession and the home team repeatedly surged up both flanks in search of the second goal. Moments after the first one Sylvinho, the first of Barça's ligament-damaged players to return to duty, received a clever back-heel from Ronaldinho and crossed for Eto'o to slide a volley just past the post.

Xavi miss
The crescendo of noise was rising and so was the tempo of the game – both factors suiting Barcelona immensely. However they spurned the chance to wrap the game up ten minutes before half-time when Ronaldinho's clever pass sent Ludovic Giuly into a one-on-one situation with Hedman. The keeper saved bravely at the Frenchman's feet but Xavi Hernández, following up, sliced the ball over the gaping net.

Perfect timing
Barça poured forward again and after Ronaldinho feinted in one direction and sent Stanislav Varga in the other before feeding Eto'o, the Cameroon international created space and looked certain to score from five metres out but Hedman arrived with perfect timing to save with his outstretched feet.

Hartson leveller
Celtic quickly received their reward for such determined and brave defending. Varga inserted himself in front of Carles Puyol to flick Stilian Petrov's 45th-minute free-kick to the back post where Hartson, ruled onside, delicately touched the ball past Víctor Valdés for a half-time scoreline which barely reflected the play, possession or chances.

Confidence rising
Barça's football never dropped to a poor standard yet the confidence which Hartson's goal gave Celtic was evident and influential. By watching the visitors' performance it was hard to understand how the Scottish champions had never so much as drawn an away game in the Champions League.

Fantastic support
Barcelona created fewer and fewer clear-cut chances and as Celtic held the ball and passed it more accurately than at any stage in the first half, the noise from their 10,000 travelling fans became intense.

Attacking switch
So confident was O'Neill that his team might turn improbable equality into incredible victory that he took off centre-half Varga, replaced him with striker Camara and attempted to play 4-3-3 when in possession, but a winning goal proved elusive.

Source: uefa.com

Four second-half goals, two each from Kaká and Hernán Crespo, were enough to see AC Milan through to the first knockout round as the Italians beat FC Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 in their Group F encounter. A single point would have sufficed to secure a place in the last 16, but with this victory Milan moved two points ahead of FC Barcelona at the top of the section.

Lone striker
With top scorer Andriy Shevchenko and Jon Dahl Tomasson nursing slight injuries and Filippo Inzaghi sidelined until February, coach Carlo Ancelotti relied on Crespo as the lone striker, using a 4-3-2-1 Christmas tree formation with Brazilian prodigy Kaká playing alongside Portuguese playmaker Rui Costa.

Early effort
Shakhtar, meanwhile, were without defender Cosmin Barcauan and midfield player Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, both sent off in the 1-0 loss at Celtic FC. However, Matuzalem managed to shake off an injury to start in midfield and Shakhtar showed early on that they were not to be underestimated by the Italian champions. In the fifth minute Serbo-Montenegrin midfield player Zvonimir Vukic picked up an errant pass and charged inside but his effort was easily handled by Dida.

Confident reply
Milan responded confidently with a fine one-two between Crespo and Rui Costa but the latter's shot was tipped over by goalkeeper Jan Laštuvka. Then in the 18th minute Cafu whipped in a cross to compatriot Kaká who got in front of his marker but headed over.

Not a single Ukrainian
The 'Miners', who fielded a multi-national starting XI without a single Ukrainian, continued to press forward, creating several chances down the right thanks to Romanian Flavius Stoican. On the half-hour, Stoican offered an inviting cross to Brazilian forward Brandão, but his header was well off target. Minutes later, a left-footed drive from Matuzalem forced a low save from Dida.

Kaká drives wide
Milan responded in the 40th minute with a neat combination between Kaká and Clarence Seedorf. Kaká charged on to a back-heeled pass from the Dutchman but the 22-year-old's right-footed drive went just wide of goal. In the dying seconds of the first half, Rui Costa found himself again in space yet his effort lacked precision.

Shakhtar threaten
Shakhtar nearly went in front after 30 seconds of the second half as Matuzalem lofted a long pass forward to Nigerian forward Julius Aghahowa who got between two defenders only to send his right-footed drive wide of Dida's goal. And a minute later Matuzalem found space to shoot but thankfully for Milan his effort sailed over the crossbar.

Diving header
Having survived those scares, Milan finally took charge. In the 52nd minute Rui Costa's lobbed pass found Cafu inside the box, he crossed for Kaká and the Brazilian's diving header opened the scoring for the Italian side. Moments after the restart Milan doubled their lead as Rui Costa threaded a pass between three defenders to Crespo who rounded Laštuvka to make it 2-0.

Vukic denied
Not content with that, Crespo then attempted a bicycle kick only for Laštuvka to produce a reflex save to deny him a second goal. A shaken Shakhtar regrouped and in the 70th minute nearly pulled a goal back as Vukic delivered a low strike that Dida turned behind for a corner.

Late goals
By then it was too late for the visitors, however, and Crespo made it three on 85 minutes. A Seedorf header was blocked on the line and the Argentinian forward tapped in. Kaká completed the scoring in added time, beating Darijo Srna with a drag-back before slotting the ball to Laštuvka's left.

Source: uefa.com

Paris Saint-Germain FC became the first team to hold Chelsea FC in this season’s UEFA Champions League and the draw means that a similar result at home to PFC CSKA Moskva in their final fixture will be enough to take them into the knockout stages as long as holders FC Porto do not defeat Chelsea.

First place assured
For Chelsea, who made sure of winning the group on Matchday 4, the result was not so important though they still carved out the better chances. With nine minutes remaining Didier Drogba looked sure to end the deadlock when fellow substitute Eidur Gudjohnsen guided him through. However Drogba's rustiness after a long absence showed as he shot straight at Lionel Letizi.

Chelsea changes
José Mourinho had already said that Petr Cech, Paulo Ferreira and Claude Makelele would sit this game out with Chelsea's place in the next phase already assured. First-team regulars Gudjohnsen and Damien Duff were also rested while John Terry joined them on the bench because of concern over a neck injury. Drogba was delighted to be there too, signalling his return after seven weeks out with a groin injury.

Second chance
PSG would have been delighted to learn of FC Porto's victory in the early game, giving the French side the chance to consolidate in second place with one game remaining. To do that however they would have to defeat a team who had lost only once in 20 fixtures - no easy feat.

Pragmatic approach
Chelsea had players eager to make an impression but the collective intensity of the team was not as great as in previous ties. In contrast the visitors lacked nothing in motivation though their approach was cautious, Pauleta operating as a lone striker. Consequently much of the first-half action was bogged down in midfield with only sporadic goalscoring opportunities.

Presentable chances
Mateja Kezman and Joe Cole exchanged passes early on as the latter almost burst though on goal. Frank Lampard, captain in Terry's absence, then gifted PSG an opening with a poorly-placed crossfield pass but Pauleta's shot was blocked, before Kezman burst through to the edge of the area but poked wide.

Chelsea checked
Arjen Robben constantly changed wings in search of the ball, Joe Cole darted here and there and Wayne Bridge was always looking for the chance to surge forward from the back. However, the muted atmosphere on the pitch was matched in the stands, and gradually PSG became more of a threatening force. Reinaldo, along with Bernard Mendy one of two changes from the Matchday 4 lineup, found some space ahead of Ricardo Carvalho but failed to finish.

Close marking
Duff took over from Robben at the interval. The Dutchman's last act was to beat a couple of defenders in that easy, deceptive style that Chelsea fans have thrilled to in recent weeks before sending a disappointing shot wide. Duff was soon involved, although in common with every other blue shirt he always had at least one defender dogging his steps. A hanging cross caused Letizi some difficulty while a Lampard free-kick was only centimetres away from Cole's outstretched boot.

Drogba return
Just after the hour Drogba appeared along with Gudjohnsen. This was a new dimension for PSG to worry about and the number of free-kicks and corners were beginning to mount in Chelsea's favour. From Cole's pass Drogba shot into the near corner but he had strayed offside, which summed up a frustrating night for the home side.

Source: Uefa.com

Goals from Italian strike duo Bernardo Corradi and Marco Di Vaio gave Valencia CF a UEFA Champions League Group G victory at RSC Anderlecht that keeps them in with a chance of reaching the first knockout round.

Bremen decider
The visitors needed all three points to stay in the competition, and were relying on Werder Bremen not defeating FC Internazionale Milano. A 1-1 draw in Germany means that Valencia will progress if they defeat Bremen at the Mestalla on 7 December by a better score than 2-1. Anderlecht, meanwhile, are the only side in the competition without a point and cannot even claim a UEFA Cup berth, despite an impressive display from Christian Wilhelmsson, who scored their equaliser.

Aimar out
Valencia's task was complicated by a worsening injury crisis. Playmaker Pablo Aimar was a late addition to the Spanish champions' casualty list, allowing Di Vaio the opportunity to end his ten-hour wait for a goal. Defender Carlos Marchena, meanwhile, damaged his hamstring in training on the eve of the match and was replaced by David Navarro. Rubén Baraja and Francisco Rufete were also restored by Claudio Ranieri, his team shorn of eight full internationals.

Aruna headed
Although Valencia's European form had an effect on the away supporters' turnout, the home fans were out in force and nearly had something to celebrate inside two minutes when Aruna Dindane headed off target after a Wilhelmsson cross.

Valencia ahead
They were made to pay for that miss when Valencia took a 19th-minute lead against the run of play. Curro Torres found himself in acres of space on the right after springing the offside trap. He sent in a low cross which was deftly flicked in at the near post by Corradi, beating Anderlecht goalkeeper Daniel Zitka, back in the side at the expense of Tristan Peersman.

Wilhelmsson reacts
Five minutes later the home side were level. Marco Caneira fouled Aruna in the Valencia box, and although Pär Zetterberg's penalty was saved by Santiago Cañizares, who got down well to his right, Wilhelmsson reacted the fastest and struck the rebound into the roof of the net.

Zitka save
Seconds after the equaliser, lively Swedish international Wilhelmsson, who began on the right but switched across the forward line to good effect, tested Cañizares with a powerful drive. At the other end Zitka dealt comfortably with a Di Vaio header and Mohamed Sissoko was wildly off target with a hopeful shot from distance.

Di Vaio strikes
Di Vaio's barren time in front of goal came to an end three minutes into the second half in scintillating fashion. Corradi lofted the ball over the Anderlecht rearguard to his fellow Italian, who controlled the ball on his chest and then slammed a volley past Zitka. It was the striker's first goal since scoring against Real Betis Balompié on 2 October.

Real test
Anderlecht's players faced a test of their desire to avoid becoming the first Belgian side in Champions League history to finish the group stage without a point. Wilhelmsson continued to provide their major threat and another dangerous low cross lacked only a finish from Aruna.

Time up
Home coach Hugo Broos introduced an extra forward in Mbo Mpenza, recovered from a calf strain, in place of central defender Glen De Boeck as the home side chased the game in vain. Time ran out, and Valencia are guaranteed at least a campaign in the UEFA Cup - which they won last season - in the new year.

Goals: 19' Corradi (0-1); 24' Wilhelmsson (1-1); 48' Di Vaio (1-2)

Source: Uefa.com

PSV had a historical night, when they qualified for the UEFA Champions League knock-out phase for the first time in their rich history. They had failed to progress to the next round on eight previous occasions. The final score of a thrilling cup tie against Arsenal was 1-1 on a great night full of drama. Rosenborg BK and Panathinaikos shared the points in the other group tie. PSV have collected now ten points, which is enough to send them through. Arsenal were reduced to nine men; both Lauren and Patrick Vieira were sent off after they had been shown a second yellow card.

As soon as the final whistle went and the favourable result in Norway was confirmed, the celebrations in Eindhoven started. The players threw their arms around each other and in carnival-like circumstances they did a lap of honour in front of an ecstatic, sell-out crowd.

PSV had a dream start. Defender André Ooijer delivered a glancing header from a Mark van Bommel inswinging corner at the near post; 1-0. The crowd went wild and after this sensational opening goal, PSV were the better team in the following twenty minutes. Arsenal came dangerous close to PSV keeper Gomes twice in the first period. Henry dispossessed his marker Bouma, but shot into the side netting from an acute angle. The Gunners did take advantage of their second opportunity, though. On 31 minutes Thierry Henry cut in from the right flank and set up Freddie Ljungberg, who superbly back-heeled the ball to Henry. The French striker drilled a low shot in the corner of the goal; 1-1. It then became an equally contested game. Both teams showed fighting spirit in a game played at a high pace and the players tried to win every ball.

After the break the two sides carried with what they had been doing in the first period: entertain the crowd in an open game. On the hour mark PSV captain Mark van Bommel started a fine solo run, which brought out a good save from Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann. Arsenal took off José Antonio Reyes for Robin van Persie, who was booed by the crowd as welcome. On 65 minutes defender Lauren was shown yellow for a high tackle on Young-Pyo Lee. It was the second time he was booked, so he was given his marching orders.
Guus Hiddink immediately brought on DaMarcus Beasley for Johann Vogel, but it was Arsenal who threatened from a few lethal counter attacks. Henry had a shot tipped around the post by Gomes and when Ljungberg had been set up, following a fantastic Henry pass, Gomes kept his side in the race once more. PSV moved forward with Gerald Sibon, Jefferson Farfán, DaMarcus Beasley and Ji-Sung Park as strikers up front. Defender Alex was close to scoring the goal of relief, but he missed a cross from the left by some inches.

There was more excitement when Patrick Vieira Vieira?s received his second booking on 78 minutes. Two minutes later substitute Van Persie injured himself in an aerial fight with Gerald Sibon and had to be stretchered off the pitch. Alex and Park earned chances, but it was still 1-1 after 90 minutes. Fortunately there was no change in the score line in Trondheim any more, so PSV were through to the next phase and the parties could begin.

Goals: 8´ Ooijer (1-0); 31´ Henry (1-1)

Source: PSV.nl

Fenerbahçe SK guaranteed themselves a third-place finish in UEFA Champions League Group D on a freezing night in Prague, defeating their main rivals for a UEFA Cup place, AC Sparta Praha.

Decisive own goal
Home defender Radoslav Kovác was the unwitting architect of his own team's downfall, deflecting a cross past goalkeeper Jaromír Blazek for the game's only goal. Manchester United FC's 2-1 victory against Olympique Lyonnais means that Fenerbahçe's hopes of Champions League progress are over, but unlike Sparta the Turkish title-holders will still compete in European football after Christmas.

Duo banned
Sparta were not helped by the suspension of inspirational captain Karel Poborský and defender Jirí Homola following the defeat at Manchester United on Matchday 4 that ended their Champions League bid. Fenerbahçe were without Pierre van Hooijdonk, their goalscorer on Matchday 1 in their win against Sparta, through injury.

Sparta probe
After a tight opening spell with both sides competing for midfield supremacy, visiting playmaker Alex's lob ten minutes in went only just over the bar. However, Sparta were looking to probe, troubling Fenerbahçe's defence with long passes and aggressive running.

Zelenka goes close
Midfield player Lukáš Zelenka missed a good chance to put the home team ahead after 18 minutes, making one of his trademark runs into the area only to shoot high. Not long after, though, Fenerbahçe went close - and then ahead. First Márcio Nobre sent in a close-range downward header that Blazek managed to bundle away. But, seconds later, Blazek was helpless when Kovác cut out a cross aimed at Nobre only to put the ball into his own net.

Goalmouth scramble
The Prague team came close to equalising on the half-hour, a series of Sparta players failing to apply the finishing touch to a goalmouth scramble in the Fenerbahçe area. Fenerbahce's counterattacking threat was amply demonstrated in the 38th minute, however, when the ball was threaded through to Nobre just inside the Sparta penalty area. Blazek, coming off his line, was swift enough to distract the Brazilian, and the final shot drifted fractionally wide as the pair collided.

Straka's switch
Sparta coach František Straka switched strikers for the second half, bringing on Milan Pacanda in place of Jan Rezek. Despite the change, the Turkish visitors began to look increasingly comfortable on the ball, while Sparta forays into the Fenerbahçe half were significantly rarer than in the opening period.

Blazek save
The Istanbul side came close to extending their lead on 55 minutes when an Alex header forced Blazek to dive low to his right to make a one-handed save. Midway through the second half, though, Sparta began to fight their way back into the game, breaking into the Fenerbahçe penalty area on several occasions, but failing each time to hit the target - the best of those chances falling to Tomáš Jun on 73 minutes.

Final chance
Sparta continued to press, and midfield player Tomáš Sivok's header came close to providing the Prague team with an equaliser. Once again, though, the Czech side could not make the most of a well-worked opportunity, and unlike last year's run to the Champions League last 16, their continental campaign has ended in disappointment.

Goal: 20' Kovác (o.g.)

Source: Uefa.com

A second-half goal from Predrag Djordjevic was enough to see Olympiacos CFP past RC Deportivo La Coruña as the Group A leaders moved closer to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages for the second time in their history. The result means Deportivo have failed to advance past the group stage for the first time.

Djordjevic winner
Olympiacos were made to struggle by Deportivo and were frustrated by a string of missed opportunities. The Galicians, who needed three points to stay alive, finally caved in, to the delight of the capacity crowd, on 68 minutes when Djordjevic linked up with a Rivaldo pass to score.

Olympiacos top
Olympiacos, top on ten points from five games, will be sure of a place in the first knockout round if they draw their final game away to Liverpool FC, who were beaten 1-0 by AS Monaco FC in the evening's other Group A match. Deportivo, still without a goal in the competition, will finish bottom.

Attack minded
Olympiacos coach Dušan Bajevic opted for an attack-minded formation with Ioannis Okkas, who had recovered from a leg complaint, starting up front with Giovanni, with Brazilian compatriot Rivaldo just behind the front two.

Djordjevic starts
Nery Alberto Castillo was surprisingly among the substitutes as Bajevic welcomed Djordjevic back into midfield, while the centre of defence was entrusted to Gabriel Schürrer and Georgios Anatolakis. The defence-minded Stylianos Venetidis was preferred on the left to Grigoris Georgatos in a bid to shackle Deportivo's Pedro Munitis.

Deportivo troubles
While Bajevic had the luxury of choice, the options left to his Deportivo counterpart Javier Irureta were seriously compromised by injuries to strikers Walter Pandiani, Diego Tristán, defender Joan Capdevila and the suspended Jorge Andrade. Irureta turned to Albert Luque to fill the void in the lone striker position while Pablo Amo stepped in for Andrade in the centre of defence.

Olympiacos pressure
Olympiacos showed their attacking intent from the outset and Rivaldo unsettled the visitors' defence after two minutes when he twisted and turned in the penalty area, but lost control before he could shoot. The Greek side almost scored after eight minutes when Giovanni released Okkas, but the Cyprus striker shot straight at José Molina.

Molina saves
Undeterred, Olympiacos pushed forward and two minutes later Venetidis broke free on the left and turned in a ball to Rivaldo who fired narrowly wide. Okkas almost made amends on 15 minutes when his header from a Rivaldo corner was tipped over by Molina, who was there again on 20 minutes when he stopped Ieroklis Stoltidis from close range as Deportivo held on.

Luque chance
Olympiacos were frustrated again on the half hour when Giovanni scooped the ball into the path of Pantelis Kafes who flicked the ball over Molina, only to hit the crossbar. Deportivo's first chance came on 38 minutes when Luque burst into the Olympiacos box but his close-range shot hit Antonios Nikopolidis.

Deportivo chances
Deportivo showed more intent after the interval, but Olympiacos remained in the ascendancy. They were determined to break the deadlock and Stoltidis headed Rivaldo's cross into the grateful arms of Molina on 55 minutes. Georgios Georgiadis came on for Okkas and missed from close range on the hour, while Giovanni's powerful strike moments later was narrowly off target.

Vital winner
Olympiacos finally broke the deadlock on 68 minutes when Rivaldo found Djordjevic in the box and he easily beat Molina from close range. Depor pressed in an attempt to hit back, but again they came up blank and it is only Olympiacos who will have something to play for on Matchday 6.

Goal: 68' Djordjevic

Source: Uefa.com

PSV Eindhoven striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink looks certain to miss the rest of 2004 after damaging a shoulder against SBV Vitesse on Sunday.

No break
The 26-year-old striker landed on his right shoulder following a tussle during the league match in Arnhem, which PSV won 2-0. An examination showed that he did not suffer a break though the damage is such that club doctor Cees-Rein van den Hoogenband believes he will be out for between four to six weeks.

Misses finale
It means Vennegoor of Hesselink will miss PSV's final two matches in the UEFA Champions League group stage as well as the rest of the first half of the Eredivisie season. The leaders of Group E, PSV are at home to Arsenal FC on Wednesday and away to Panathinaikos FC on Matchday 6.

'Torn ligament'
The player said: "I do not remember what exactly happened, but I fell down and landed the wrong way. It hurt very much, but nothing has been broken. A first diagnosis says I have torn the ligament between the collar bone and the shoulder-blade."

Source: Uefa.com

Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. FC Porto 11 22
2. Benfica 11 22
3. Vit. Setúbal 11 20
4. Boavista 11 20
5. Marítimo 11 19
...
8. Belenenses 11 15

II LEAGUE

Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Maia 11 24
2. Est. Amadora 11 21
3. Ovarense 11 21



Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Barcelona 12 29
2. Real Madrid 12 22
3. Sevilla 12 21
4. Espanyol 12 20
5. Valencia 12 19
...
17. Athletic 12 12



Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. PSV 13 35
2. Alkmaar 13 30
3. Feyenoord 13 26
4. Ajax 13 25
5. Herenveen 13 25
...
6. Utrecht 13 21



Pos. Team Pld Pts

1. Lyon 15 33
2. Lille 15 30
3. Souchaux 15 25
4. Auxerre 15 25
5. Bordeux 15 23
...
12. PSG 15 18



Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Clube Brugge 13 35
2. Anderlecht 13 28
3. AA Gent 13 25
4. La Louvière 13 23
5. Standard 13 23



Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Bayern 14 29
2. Wolfsburg 14 27
3. Shalke 14 27
4. Stuttgart 14 26
5. Hannover 14 24
...
10 Hamburg 14 19



Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Basel 15 28
2. Xamax 15 25
3. Thun 15 24
4. Young Boys 15 21
5. Zürich 15 21



Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Rapid 18 38
2. Austria 18 36
3. Pasching 18 34
4. GAK 18 31
5. Wacker 18 21



Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Celtic 15 37
2. Rangers 15 36
3. Aberdeen 15 28
4. Hibernian 15 24
5. Hearts 15 23



Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Juventus 12 31
2. Milan 12 25
3. Udinese 12 19
4. Messina 12 17
5. Chievo 12 17



Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Fenerbahçe 13 34
2. Galatasaray 13 29
3. Trabzonspor 13 29
4. Denizlispor 13 25
5. Rizespor 13 22



Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Panathinaikos 8 19
2. AEK 8 18
3. Olympiacos 18 17
4. Egaleo 8 14
5. Xanthi 8 14



Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Sparta 14 35
2. Teplice 14 29
3. Liberec 14 25
4. Slavia 14 24
5. Jablonec 14 22



Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Ferencváros 14 32
2. Debrecen 14 29
3. ZTE 14 27
4. MTK 14 25
5. Újpest 14 23
...
8. Honvéd 14 20



Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Wisla 13 35
2. Legia 13 27
3. Groclin 13 25
4. Amica 13 24
5. Zaglebie 13 19



Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Shakhtar 13 33
2. Dynamo Kyiv 13 32
3. Metalurh 13 29
4. Volyn 13 24
5. Metalist 13 20



Torneo Apertura

Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Newell's 16 30
2. Estudiantes 16 29
3. River Plate 16 29
4. Vélez Sarsfiel 16 26
5. Rosario Central 16 26



Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Atlético PR 42 81
2. Santos 42 79
3. São Paulo 42 75
4. São Caetano 42 74
5. Palmeiras 42 74
...
20. Botafogo 42 47



Torneo Clausura

Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Danubio 4 12
2. Defensor Sporting 4 10
3. Liverpool 4 9
4. Peñarol 4 9
5. Nacional 4 6