Champions League Review

The 2nd match-day of the Champions League came to a close earlier this week with some shocking results! Manchester United drew 1-1 against Shakhtar Donetsk away from home, Italian side Juventus also drew 2-2 at home against Galatasaray whilst in-form English side Arsenal eased past Italian giants SSC Napoli with two goals for The Gunners coming from newly signed German star Mesut Özil and Oliver Giroud (his goal assisted by the same Özil).

Arsenal celebrating their 2-0 victory over SSC Napoli

In my opinion, the most outstanding match of the night was that between Manchester City and Bayern München. An early goal from Ribéry [7'] and two successive goals from Müller [56'] and Robben [60'] were enough to secure the German side a win after a late goal for Man.City, (coming from Spanish striker Negredo [88']) was not enough to save his side from a humiliating home defeat. With this win, Bayern are sitting comfortably at the top of Group D, with a 3 point advantage over the same Manchester City.

German striker Thomas Müller scoring the 2nd goal for his side's 3-1 victory against Manchester City

The other results from the other Groups in the Champions League were as following:

Group A                                                                            

Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Real Sociedad

Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 Manchester United

Group B 

Juventus 2-2 Galatasaray

Real Madrid 4-0 FC København

Group C 

Anderlecht 0-3 Olympiakos

Paris Saint Germain 3-0 Benfica

Group D 

CSKA Moscow 3-2 Viktoria Plzen

Manchester City 1-3 Bayern München

Group E 

Basel 0-1 Schalke 04

Steaua Bucuresti 0-4 Chelsea

Group F 

Arsenal 2-0 SSC Napoli

Borussia Dortmund 3-0 Marseille

Group G 

Zenit Petersburg 0-0 Austria Wien

FC Porto 1-2 Atletico Madrid

Group H 

Ajax 1-1 AC Milan

Celtic 0-1 Barcelona

"Bale is not happy" insists Carlo Ancelotti

Gareth Bale making his Real Madrid "dream" debut

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti stated that the big money signing Gareth Bale is not happy at Real Madrid as he wants playing time. Since being sidelined with a thigh injury, Bale has only featured twice for Los Blancos and netting just one goal. The Welshman is frustrated after missing his side's 4-0 Champions League win against F.C. Copenhagen in Denmark earlier this week. Continuing to his despair, Ancelotti announced that Bale will also be missing this weekend's La Liga fixture against Levante. Real's medical staff stated though that Gareth should be fully recovered in 2 weeks and therefore, will be at Ancelotti's aid.

Champions League night!

The UEFA Champions League trophy

Tonight, the UEFA Champions League will be back with heaps of must-see matches. In my opinion, the main match will be that at the Emirates Stadium where Arsenal will take on SSC Napoli. Arsenal are currently at the top of the English Premier League, having won five and lost only one out of the six matches that they played so far. French boss Arsene Wenger is highly confident that his side is capable of snatching the full 3 points tonight: "If we win the second game we know we can qualify," he said. "I wouldn't say it is already a decisive game - but it is a game that will have a great bearing on who qualifies.'' On the other hand, Italian side Napoli are also in fine form in the Serie A as they are only 2 points short of current league holders, AS Roma. To their disadvantage, Rafael Benítez's side will definitely be without Christian Maggio (knee), while he is also sweating on the fitness of Raul Albiol and Gonzalo Higuain.

This match will kick-off at 20:45, alongside with the other teams battling it out for qualification:

Group E
Basel vs. Schalke 04
Steaua Bucuresti vs. Chelsea

Group F
*Arsenal vs. SSC Napoli
Borussia Dortmund vs. Marseille

Group G
Zenit Petersburg vs. Austria Wien (This match will start at 18:00 due to it being held in Russia)
FC Porto vs. Atletico Madrid

Group H
Ajax vs. AC Milan
Celtic vs. Barcelona

Barça star out for 2-3 weeks

Lionel Messi with a hamstring injury last weekend

Barcelona's 26 year-old star Lionel Messi is set to be sidelined for up to 3 weeks after the Argentinian injured his hamstring (thigh) when playing against Almería last Saturday. Due to this injury, Barcelona will have to do without Lionel for their upcoming two matches. One on Tuesday, against Celtic (Champions League) and the other, at home against Valladolid on Saturday.
Despite this drawback, Barcelona's medical staff announced that Messi will return in time for the 'El Clásico' (Barcelona vs. Real Madrid) on the 26th of October.

Galatasaray set appoint Roberto Mancini as coach

Following the departure of Fatih Terim, Galatasaray are now looking out to assign a new coach as soon as possible. Ex. Inter Milan and Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini looks to be the right man for the job as it is reported on several football websites that the 48-year old Italian has already agreed personal terms with the Turkish side and will be soon flying out to Turkey in order to sign a three-year contract with the club.

Italian coach Roberto Mancini on Manchester City duty

Inter Milan come from behind to seal second place

Inter Milan captain Esteban Cambiasso celebrating his goal against The Viola

A few hours ago, unbeaten side Inter Milan hosted Fiorentina at home in a mid-week Serie A fixture. It took The Viola 60 minutes to open the score after Joaquín was fouled in the box by Inter's Juan. Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi stepped up to take the penalty and failed to disappoint as the Serie A top scorer handed his side the lead. After trailing by a goal, the Nerazzurri supporters were showing their disappointment by booing off their own players when having the possession. The pressure was building up as Mazzarri's men pushed forward. Their efforts came through after 72 minutes when Argentinian midfielder Esteban Cambiasso equalized with a volley after a Kovačić corner came sailing towards Neto. This goal gave Inter a boost and inspired them to snatch the winning goal at the 83rd minute thanks to a Jonathan strike. Inter Milan are now second in the Serie A table with only 2 points behind league holders A.S. Roma.

Germany's Klose doubtful for WC Qualifying matches

After suffering a foot injury in his side's [S.S. Lazio] loss to Genoa last Sunday, German striker Miroslav Klose has undergone surgery last Wednesday and could possibly miss both of Germany's World Cup Qualifying matches against the Rep. of Ireland and Sweden next month. "I have been informed about his surgery and will directly speak with him.'' Joachim Löw stated. Klose's absence is not the only problem that Löw is facing though as striker Mario Gomez is also sidelined with an injury after limping-off the pitch when playing in the Serie A with his side Fiorentina. As a replacement to both strikers, German coach has called up 25 year-old Max Kruse. 

Miroslav Klose in action at the Euro 2012 tournament