Champions League Results: Analysis for Arsenal

Bleacher ReportChampions League Results: Analysis for Arsenal-Dortmund and Tuesday's ...Bleacher ReportTuesday saw the first half of Matchday 3 in this year's Champions League, an often pivotal phase of the group stages of the competition. In London, Arsenal were hosting Borussia Dortmund—knowing that victory would put them within touching distance of ...

Heineken extends Champions League deal by three years

Credit: Reuters/Tim Chong

A plastic container with empty bottles of Heineken beers are pictured among beer kegs outside a restaurant in Singapore August 29, 2012.

The Dutch beer maker, whose flagship Heineken brand has been a sponsor since 2005, and European soccer's governing body UEFA told Reuters on Wednesday that they had agreed a deal covering the period from 2015 to 2018.

Heineken, previously a partner with UEFA through its Amstel brand, is the first Champions League sponsor to renew beyond the current 2012-2015 term, although German sports goods maker Adidas has extended as an official supplier.

Other current sponsors are Ford, Gazprom, MasterCard, Sony's PlayStation and UniCredit, with HTC as another supplier. There are reports that UEFA might look to add an airline as a seventh sponsor.

Both parties declined to disclose financial details. Sports marketing research group IMR estimates the current partnership costs Heineken $70 million per year, with the new deal worth more.

Heineken is the leading brand in the higher margin international premium segment of the global beer market, brewing 2.9 billion liters last year for consumption outside the Netherlands.

"As Heineken is available in 220 countries in the world and so is the UEFA Champions League, this platform really is to build the Heineken brand worldwide," said Heineken's global activation manager, Hans-Erik Tuijt.

Unlike rivals, such as Carlsberg, Heineken does not sponsor teams or individuals.

The Champions League is the most watched annual sporting event. The total audience is estimated at 4.2 billion, with more than 1 billion people watching around four matches per season and half of that audience outside Europe.

"The number of Brazilian players playing in the Champions League is significant, and of Argentinian players is significant, and Asians love to watch this great football," said UEFA marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein.

The new deal will increase the time Heineken is shown on LED boards around the ground to 13 minutes from a previous nine. The boards will also be used in the future in group phase matches.

Heineken will also have quicker access to images, enhancing its social media such as a live Twitter feed linked to matches.

It will retain the right to take the trophy to soccer fans, with Buenos Aires, Lagos and Vietnam - major Heineken markets - on its schedule early next year.

Heineken is the largest seller of beer in Europe, but is also number two in Africa and has boosted its presence in higher growth emerging markets, with expansion into Mexico in 2010 and in Asia last year.

Heineken spent some 2.25 billion euros last year on marketing, 12 percent of its revenue.

That extends to rugby, in sponsoring rugby's World Cup and, at least until the end of this season, the premier European club competition, the Heineken Cup, which is under threat from a possible breakaway by English and French sides.

"I hope they are growing pains, as I really believe the competition is fantastic ... I hope the clubs, unions and the rugby officials will come to a sensible solution so that it becomes an even better competition," Tuijt said.

"We need to know what the outcome is because the English clubs are focal."

(Editing by Stephen Wood)

Uefa to up Champions League prize money

Zurich - Champions League clubs' share of billion-dollar annual prize money is set to rise through 2018 as their need for income increases in the "Financial Fair Play" era.

The agency marketing Champions League rights on behalf of Uefa said on Monday that clubs will be "happy" with their increase when the next deals kick in.

Switzerland-based Team Marketing are currently selling broadcast and sponsorship deals for the 2015-18 seasons, which follow existing three-year deals worth €1.34 billion (about R18 billion) annually.

"It is a fantastic time '15 to 18', we will generate growth and we will see happy clubs with the results," Team Marketing director Martin Wagner said. "The clubs are expecting growth. We will manage that."

The 32 clubs playing in this season's Champions League will share at least €900-million in Uefa prize money.

Last season, Juventus were the biggest earners getting €65.3 million from Uefa despite being eliminated in the quarterfinal. Each club is paid an entry fee for reaching the group stage, plus results bonuses through the competition and a share of their national broadcasting deal.

Champions League income is key for elite clubs trying to meet Uefa's "Financial Fair Play" rules which regulate spending and require clubs to approach break-even on their football income. In the most serious cases, clubs face being barred from the Champions League. Missing out is increasingly risky - for broadcasters and clubs.

"The unique model of the Champions League is it's the mass (audience), you get the numbers," Wagner said on the sidelines of the International Football Arena conference.

Wagner told delegates at Fifa headquarters that a global average audience of at least 170 million watched Bayern Munich beat German rival Borussia Dortmund in the final last May - the biggest rating for a sports event in 2013.

"Everybody needs premium content," Wagner said, adding that the Champions League is "unique to have for sponsors who need to connect with consumers."

Wagner predicted "enormous growth" potential in China, India and the US, where Fox holds the 2012-15 rights. Some European markets - including Britain - would have strong competition between pay-TV broadcasters.

"What you get now, you have in the future," Wagner said of broadcasters' sports-led business model. "Bidders like Sky, they need to do the job now because then they have the so-called inertia benefit, meaning people are then reluctant to change to other systems."

The 2015-18 deals will likely be the last when a winning bid gets the broadcast rights across all digital platforms.

"The bidders know that something is coming," Wagner said, predicting big change. Change should also be lucrative for Uefa and clubs, with screen technologies such as virtual advertising set to "revolutionise everything," he said.

"You can put your message regionally, you can target your groups better, so this will generate more income," he said.

Sapa-AP

Playmaker Insists Tottenham Can Aim Higher Than Champions League ...

Christian Eriksen believes that Tottenham should not just target a top four finish as he believes the squad has the ability to win the Premier League title this season

Eriksen made the move to Spurs in the final days of the summer transfer window and has so far made a positive impression on supporters.

The playmaker has often spoken about his ambitions to play for a side that can challenge for trophies and as Tottenham sit in fourth position in the Premier League table, the Denmark international has claimed that he believes they can reach even higher.

"It's realistic," he told reporters when asked if Spurs could challenge for the title. "We're up there. We want to go in the top four and we have the team to try to become number one. Everyone would be satisfied with the Champions League next year but if we're in the top four, we're going to go for first."

Eriksen was one of a host of attacking players signed by Andre Villas-Boas in the hopes of filling the void left by the departed Gareth Bale.

But so far the forward line has failed to impress with Spurs scoring just nine goals in their opening nine Premier Leaguematches. Incoming striker Roberto Soldado seems to have found his scoring touch recently, having scored twice in his last two matches but Villas-Boas has admitted that Erik Lamela has yet to produce his best for the club.

Tottenham have come painstakingly close to qualifying for Champions League football in the last two seasons and Villas-Boas has made it clear that finishing in the top four will make for a successful season for the side.

But should they be able to take advantage of Manchester City and Manchester United struggling to click into gear, thenTottenham will have every chance of challenging for top spot in the table.

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Moyes Handed Midfield Boost as Champions League Winning Star Makes ...

Manchester United and David Moyes have been handed a major boost as Darren Fletcher made his first appearance in 10 months during the U21 game against Fulham.

The Scotland captain has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in December 2011. Since then, the 29-year-old has made 13 appearances for United's first team. Fletcher has been a key figure in the Premier League champions' midfield and was an integral part of the squad that won the Champions League in 2008.

Fletcher started the U21 game against Fulham, playing 67 minutes before being substituted. The game ended ina 2-2 draw. The midfielder heaped praise on Moyes for his support as the Scotland international is eyeing to break into the first team.

"He's [Moyes] been liaising with the doctors and speaking to me regularly He's got an important job right now working with the first team, but he's given me all the time I need, he's been a great support and I couldn't ask for any more," Fletcher told MUTV.

"I'm hoping to get a few more U21s games in, obviously I need to finish the 90 minutes and try to work my way into the squad, wait for a chance and I've got to be ready to take it."

The Scot admitted that he is taking it very gently and is in no mood to rush to get into the first team. Moyes would be hoping that his countrymen could still contribute to the club in terms of performance.

"I've been training for a few weeks now and the next progression is to get some match-time. I enjoyed it. The plan was to get to half-time and see how I felt," the midfielder said.

"Then get to 60 minutes and take it from there and, although I felt I could have gone on a bit longer, the plan was not to play more than that so I'm better sticking to the plan and not upsetting the sports science lads."

Meanwhile, Fletcher went on to thank his family for their support on his road to recovery.

"It's been tough but luckily I've got a great family around me, wife, children, mum, dad, sisters, I've got a great family around me and if it wasn't for them I probably wouldn't be standing here today, they keep me going, they keep me motivated and lift me when I'm down. All these factors contribute to me starting here today on the road to recovery."

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Champions League prize money to rise in 2015

- Champions League clubs' share of billion-dollar annual prize money is set to rise through 2018 as their need for income increases in the "Financial Fair Play" era.

The agency marketing Champions League rights on behalf of UEFA said Monday that clubs will be "happy" with their increase when the next deals kick in.

Switzerland-based TEAM Marketing is currently selling broadcast and sponsorship deals for the 2015-18 seasons, which follow existing three-year deals worth 1.34 billion euros ($1.85 billion) annually.

"It is a fantastic time '15 to '18, we will generate growth and we will see happy clubs with the results," TEAM director Martin Wagner told championsleagueschedules.blogspot.com in an interview. "The clubs are expecting growth and we will manage that."

The 32 clubs playing in this season's Champions League will share at least 900 million euros ($1.24 billion) in UEFA prize money.

Last season, Juventus was the biggest earner getting 65.3 million euros (then $86.3 million) from UEFA despite being eliminated in the quarterfinal. Each club is paid an entry fee for reaching the group stage, plus results bonuses through the competition and a share of their national broadcasting deal.

Champions League income is key for elite clubs trying to meet UEFA's "Financial Fair Play" rules which regulate spending and require clubs to approach break-even on their football income. In the most serious cases, clubs face being barred from the Champions League.

Missing out is increasingly risky - for broadcasters and clubs.

"The unique model of the Champions League is it's the mass (audience), you get the numbers," Wagner said on the sidelines of the International Football Arena conference.

Wagner told delegates at FIFA headquarters that a global average audience of at least 170 million watched Bayern Munich beat German rival Borussia Dortmund in the final last May - the biggest rating for a sports event in 2013.

"Everybody needs premium content," Wagner said, adding that the Champions League is "unique to have for sponsors who need to connect with consumers."

Wagner predicted "enormous growth" potential in the China, India and the United States, where Fox holds the 2012-15 rights. Some European markets - including Britain - would have strong competition between pay-TV broadcasters.

"What you get now, you have in the future," Wagner said of broadcasters' sports-led business model. "Bidders like Sky, they need to do the job now because then they have the so-called inertia benefit, meaning people are then reluctant to change to other systems."

The 2015-18 deals will likely be the last when a winning bid gets the broadcast rights across all digital platforms.

"The bidders know that something is coming," Wagner said, predicting big change driven by social media and young fans. "All the companies who try to sell devices will be strong bidders in future."

Change should also be lucrative for UEFA and clubs, with screen technologies such as virtual advertising set to "revolutionize everything," Wagner said.

"You can put your message regionally, you can target your groups better, so this will generate more income," he said.

Champions League prize money to rise in 2015

AP Sports Writer

Champions League clubs' share of billion-dollar annual prize money is set to rise through 2018 as their need for income increases in the "Financial Fair Play" era.

The agency marketing Champions League rights on behalf of UEFA said Monday that clubs will be "happy" with their increase when the next deals kick in.

Switzerland-based TEAM Marketing is currently selling broadcast and sponsorship deals for the 2015-18 seasons, which follow existing three-year deals worth 1.34 billion euros ($1.85 billion) annually.

"It is a fantastic time '15 to '18, we will generate growth and we will see happy clubs with the results," TEAM director Martin Wagner told championsleagueschedules.blogspot.com in an interview. "The clubs are expecting growth and we will manage that."

The 32 clubs playing in this season's Champions League will share at least 900 million euros ($1.24 billion) in UEFA prize money.

Last season, Juventus was the biggest earner getting 65.3 million euros (then $86.3 million) from UEFA despite being eliminated in the quarterfinal. Each club is paid an entry fee for reaching the group stage, plus results bonuses through the competition and a share of their national broadcasting deal.

Champions League income is key for elite clubs trying to meet UEFA's "Financial Fair Play" rules which regulate spending and require clubs to approach break-even on their football income. In the most serious cases, clubs face being barred from the Champions League.

Missing out is increasingly risky - for broadcasters and clubs.

"The unique model of the Champions League is it's the mass (audience), you get the numbers," Wagner said on the sidelines of the International Football Arena conference.

Wagner told delegates at FIFA headquarters that a global average audience of at least 170 million watched Bayern Munich beat German rival Borussia Dortmund in the final last May - the biggest rating for a sports event in 2013.

"Everybody needs premium content," Wagner said, adding that the Champions League is "unique to have for sponsors who need to connect with consumers."

Wagner predicted "enormous growth" potential in the China, India and the United States, where Fox holds the 2012-15 rights. Some European markets - including Britain - would have strong competition between pay-TV broadcasters.

"What you get now, you have in the future," Wagner said of broadcasters' sports-led business model. "Bidders like Sky, they need to do the job now because then they have the so-called inertia benefit, meaning people are then reluctant to change to other systems."

The 2015-18 deals will likely be the last when a winning bid gets the broadcast rights across all digital platforms.

"The bidders know that something is coming," Wagner said, predicting big change driven by social media and young fans. "All the companies who try to sell devices will be strong bidders in future."

Change should also be lucrative for UEFA and clubs, with screen technologies such as virtual advertising set to "revolutionize everything," Wagner said.

"You can put your message regionally, you can target your groups better, so this will generate more income," he said.

Malmo FF secured the Swedish league title on Monday, beating Elfsborg 2-0 in the penultimate round to clinch the club's 17th national championship.

Brazil's sports minister is not expecting waves of protests during the World Cup next year, saying the Brazilian people will be more interested in celebrating the tournament than complaining about its cost.

Champions League clubs' share of billion-dollar annual prize money is set to rise through 2018 as their need for income increases in the "Financial Fair Play" era.

Myeni fit for Champs League final

Sifiso Myeni © Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates' Sifiso Myeni will be fit for the African Champions League at the weekend, said coach Roger de Sa.

The nippy forward came on as a substitute in Saturday's derby against Kaizer Chiefs but got a knock which left his participation in the match against Egyptian giants Al Ahly on Saturday at the Orlando Stadium in doubt.

But the coach moved quickly to dispel any suggestions that Myeni might not make the first leg.

"It was a light knock, nothing serious and it is not the same leg where he has had previous problems," said De Sa.

Myeni has struggled in recent weeks with a knee problem but De Sa described him as a tough fighter.

Pirates still have long term injuries to Patrick Phungwayo and Siyabonga Sangweni.

The coach said there were no qualms about fitness going into the two legs over the next two weekends.

"If we are not ready now, we'll never be ready," he added.

Manchester United's Ryan Giggs still a man on the run with 146th Champions ...

But happily there were no sinister overtones this time around as far as the game of football is concerned.

It was just another case of trying to balance the running order of what is rapidly becoming a hectic life.

A quick glance at the watch as he was asked for his reflections on United's 1-0 Champions League win sparked panic. "I've got to pick the missus up - she's been to see the Arctic Monkeys," he said.

While the band had been playing at the Manchester Arena, Giggs, a month short of his 40th birthday, had been strutting his stuff - for the full 90 minutes - at Old Trafford.

No one has played more Champions League games than the mercurial forward. Wednesday night saw Giggs clock up his 146th appearance in the competition. And since David Moyes took over the helm at United, Giggs has assumed coaching responsibilities as well as rolling back the years as a player.

He maintains it has so far been a seamless transition. "No, I've not found a problem with it really but I think you're probably best asking the players!" he said. "I hope they don't feel any differently. It's not gone quiet when I go into the dressing room - not yet anyway...

"I've tried to balance it the best I can. I try and help the players just as I did before I joined the coaching staff. I enjoy the coaching side, being in meetings, seeing the preparation the manager does. He's been brilliant with me and I have really enjoyed learning off a really good manager and a really good coach."

Brazilian full-back Rafael da Silva believes Giggs' coaching skills go hand in hand with his age-defying on-field performances.

Rafael said: "He just breaks more and more records. You watch him in games and he is just running and running and running.

"People ask me what it is like to have him as a coach. I say he has always helped me and given me great advice."

Giggs said: "I never thought I'd still be playing now but I am and I am enjoying it. I'll try and contribute as much as I can. It's getting less and less but I will try.

"I still feel quite good, and it helps that I am playing every couple of weeks. It's not like I'm playing Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday like I used to. So I have time to recover and prepare. I feel just as good as I did three or four years ago."

Not that the advancing years have made it easier for match officials who cop an earful from a fired-up Giggs. Against Real Sociedad Giggs was not shy to express an opinion.

"I've always moaned at referees," he admitted. "I just try to do it in the correct way. Sometimes refs tell me I'm wrong and you hold your hands up.

"But I've always appreciated Champions League nights. They are special no matter who you play."

Giggs has another place in football's history books - winning a staggering 13 Premier League title medals but United have plenty of work to do this season if Giggs is going to make it 14.

He does not agree that the club has been subjected to biting criticism just because Sir Alex Ferguson has proved a hard act to follow.

"I think the criticism would have been the same if it had been the old manager," said Giggs. "The results haven't gone for us and we haven't produced the performances we know we can.

"That has probably added to the criticism. We haven't got off to a great start but there's plenty of time to turn it around and hopefully we can do that. We have to keep working hard."

Like everyone at Old Trafford, Giggs is delighted with the progress of Adnan Januzaj, the 18-year-old anointed as his successor, .

"There's no real advice for him other than just keep doing what he's doing," Giggs said. "He's a delight to watch and is a brilliant talent."

Guizhou Renhe eyes Champions League place

Guizhou Renhe has a big opportunity to push into the AFC Champions League spots in the Chinese Super League on Thursday (AEDT).

Lei Gong's Guizhou side was third in the Super League a month ago before two straight defeats saw them drop to fourth, out of China's three automatic ACL berths, to be replaced by Beijing Guoan.

But with Guoan set to travel to second-placed Shandong Luneng, Guizhou could leapfrog Beijing if it overcomes 13th-placed Hangzhou.

Guizhou bounced back from its two losses in a row a fortnight ago with a 4-2 win over Liaoning Whowin before they also trumped Dalian Aerbin 2-1 in the Chinese FA Cup last week.

If Renhe overcome Hangzhou, which it has not lost to in five matches, it will move to 47 points, which will be enough to overhaul Guoan (45 points) if the Beijing-based side fail to beat Shandong.

Lei will be keen to see Spanish striker Rafa Jorda (10 goals this season) or Bosnian playmaker Zvjezdan Misimovic (five) on the scoresheet against Hangzhou as neither has scored in its past three league matches.

Jorda is Guizhou's leading goalscorer this season, while Misimovic is tied for second with Zhang Chenglin and Qu Bo.

Super League leaders Guangzhou Evergrande has already wrapped up the title with two rounds left in the 2013 season as they sit on 73 points, 17 ahead of Shandong.

Evergrande will travel to Shanghai SIPG on Thursday (AEDT), while its local rival Guangzhou R&F will take on Tianjin Teda.

Qingdao Jonoon and Changchun Yatai will both be focused on survival when they host Jiangsu Sainty and travel to Shanghai Shenhua respectively.

Changchun sit 14th, just above the relegation zone, with 29 points, while Qingdao has 28 in 15th position.

Bottom club Wuhan Zall is already relegated with just 16 points from 28 matches and it hosts Shanghai Shenxin, while in the other fixture of round 29 Dalian will face Liaoning.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham target Belgian Champions League duo

It's thought the three Premier League rivals all sent representatives to scout the pair during Anderlecht's Champions League fixture against Paris St-Germain this week.

Praet plays in an attacking midfield role, while the 16-year-old Tielemans also plies his trade through the middle of the park.

The Belgian duo both started the game against a strong PSG side, who went on to win 5-0.

The three London outfits weren't the only interested parties at the game however, with Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus all understood to have sent scouts too.

Praet could be a target for many clubs this winter transfer window if he continues to develop, although strong bids would be more likely to wait until the summer.

"Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham scouted Belgian duo Dennis Praet and Youri Tielemans"

Both Chelsea and Tottenham have already got a large contingent of Belgian stars currently playing in the Premier League, with Spurs possessing Jan Vertonghen, Nacer Chadli and Mousa Dembele on their roster.

Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin de Bruyne and Thorgan Hazard are also currently on the books at Stamford Bridge under Jose Mourinho.

Can Mario Balotelli Power AC Milan to Champions League Success?

After losing 3-2 to over the weekend, Milan lie in the middle of barren anonymity. With another miracle like last year necessary to make another heroic comeback in the second half of the season, let's take a look at who gives them their best opportunity to shine outside the peninsula.

The Rossoneri currently sit 10th in Serie A, with their chances of going to the Champions League next season becoming slimmer by the match-day.

/Getty Images

However, they still have a shot at making a formidable European run this season. While nobody expects Milan to go far if they pass the group stage, don't be surprised if Mario Balotelli becomes a catalyst and spearheads them towards an impressive finish in the competition.

Now that they're second in their respective group, destiny is in their hands. It remains to be seen how Massimiliano Allegri integrates the January arrivals, but for now it's worth focusing on Milan's biggest hope for success, the mercurial Mario Balotelli.

Balotelli gives Milan that unexpected touch of genius up front, a type of class that they desperately need as most of the squad has only moderate technique.

Taking a look at Balotelli outside the pitch, recent reports say that Adriano Galliani sat down with Balotelli and his agent Mino Raiola and made Super Mario shave off his hair and take off his earrings in a move to make his seem less rebellious.

Unfortunately, the new shaved look didn't translate on the pitch, as Balotelli was disappointing during the match against Parma. He was taken off for the much-maligned Alessandro Matri, who repaid Allegri's faith by scoring right away.

However, inconsistency is part of the growing pains that come with a player of Balotelli's caliber. Even though he has scored in nearly every game he has appeared in for Milan, there are still moments of sheer stupidity which cause him to be suspended or receive an unnecessary red card.

/Getty Images

Those moments have hurt the team, but there's still hope that this new intervention by people close to the player will work, allowing him to fully mature and reach his tremendous potential both domestically and on the world stage.

While Balotelli himself can't guide Milan to Champions League glory, there's hope that the future will make Milanisti a bit more optimistic. Keisuke Honda and Adil Rami have been confirmed as signings in January, and they'll add plenty to a team that needs quality depth at nearly every position.

Nigerians in the Champions League: Mixed fortunes in Europe

The CL Group Stage is now at the half-way point, with every team having played three fixtures, we take a look at the how the competition's Nigerian contingent have fared so far

This season, relatively few of the Super Eagles' finest players are gracing Europe's premier club competition. Many of our stars are representing teams in the continent's second tier, but a limited amount of them are performing within the Champions League.

For those that are, fortunes have, at best, been mixed.

Mikel: Struggling to Assert Himself John Obi Mikel

Europa League champions Chelsea sit atop Group E, a reality that seemed unlikely after their first game, an underwhelming 2-1 home defeat to Basel. Jose Mourinho's squad have responded well; Steaua Bucharest and Schalke were dispatched with little ceremony and the Blues ought to avoid last season's ignominy of a first-round exit.

This season is struggling to get started for John Obi Mikel, both in Europe and the Premier League.

He didn't feature in the trip to Romania, and only entered as a substitute for the latter stages against Schalke and Basel. He has not played in the league for a month, having been replaced at half-time in the club's draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

Musa: An Uphill Battle Ahmed Musa

Having been pitched into Group D alongside Manchester City and reigning-champions Bayern Munich, qualification for the Europa League via a third-placed finish might be the only realistic achievement for Ahmed Musa and CSKA Moscow.

Their campaign has realised that forecast thus far as they lost to City and Bayern, but recorded a victory over group whipping boys, Plzen.

Musa endured a disappointing stint as a substitute against City, having entered the game in the 50 ^th minute, he achieved little more than a booking. He impressed in the crucial clash against Plzen, where he hit the post with a terrific shot and also provided an assist for Zoran Tosic's opener for CSKA.

Musa has an enormously important 12 months ahead of him, but I suggest, that for now at least, his best chance of impressing in the continental sphere after New Year will be in the Europa rather than the Champions League.

Olaitan: Limited Impact Michael Olaitan

Olympiakos will not have been too confident in their ability to advance from the group having been drawn into a taxing collection of teams including French champions Paris Saint-Germain and defeated Europa League finalists Benfica.

However, at the half-way stage of proceedings, the Greek giants are sitting ahead of Benfica and can look back over their first three fixtures with pride.

They may have been tonked by P.S.G., with the French side's riches on display for all to see, but since then, their fortunes have improved.

Anderlecht were dispatched 3-0 in Belgium, with Konstantinos Mitroglou on song, but the 1-1 draw away in Portugal could prove to be even more crucial.

Nigerian forward Michael Olaitan has featured only once, against Anderlecht, where he was replaced before the hour mark, following Mitroglou's second goal. The youngster has been playing in a deeper role so far this term and has thus failed to recreate his excellent scoring form of the end of last season.

He could still have a big role to play in Olympiakos's coming group stage fixtures.

Whipping Boys at Parken? Fanendo Adi

Over at Copenhagen, Fanendo Adi is facing up to life with the group's whipping boys.

The Danes recorded a terrific 1-1 draw at home to Juventus, a game which Adi started, but have been less lucky in subsequent fixtures, being outclassed 4-0 by Real Madrid and then 3-1 against Galatasaray. Those matches were both away, giving Loverne gentle optimism, perhaps, that they can perform better that their Parken home.

Fail to do that, and Adi and co. will not be enjoying European competition post-Christmas.

Ambrose: The Last Nigerian Hope? Efe Ambrose

With Mikel almost certain to advance to the next stage of competition, and the other three aforementioned Nigerians realistically competing for spots in the Europa League knock-out rounds in 2014, perhaps the Super Eagles' greatest intrigue rests upon Efe Ambrose and Celtic.

The Scottish giants were drawn into the 'Group of Champions', a selection of teams who have all previously held Europe's premier prize.

After three games Celtic remain alive...just!

Terrifically difficult opening clashes, away in Milan and at home to Barcelona, were as difficult as any team in the competition had to endure. Failure to beat Ajax, at home, in the third game, and progression to the next round would already have been a near-impossibility.

Celtic managed to win, 2-1, and sit in third place, two points behind Milan in second.

As was the case last season, Efe Ambrose has been a stalwart for the side. He hasn't missed a minute in each of the Bhuoys' games to date, operating at centre-back, rather than the right-back spot he occupies for the national side.

The defender has been playing with a spring in his step, having agreed a new four-year deal earlier this month. If he and his teammates can secure a result in Amsterdam on November 6, and trouble either Milan or Barcelona (as they did so memorably last season) then they could make another remarkable return to the last 16.

Should Ambrose and his teammates fail, then Mikel is likely to be Nigeria's only representative in the competition's latter stages.

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From obscurity to the Champions League and back again: the FC Petržalka ...

FC Petržalka 1898; not a name synonymous with the footballing greats, but for a brief two year spell the club incredibly took its place alongside some of Europe's finest.

Since their formation in the late 19th century, FC Petržalka 1898 have changed their club name no fewer than 15 times, perhaps more akin to a struggling franchise club in the MLS rather than a football club steeped in a proud 115 year history of Czech and Slovak football.

The club's birthplace was the Petržalka district of the Slovakian capital Bratislava, and as their current name suggests were founded in 1898, when they were initially known as Pozsonyi Torna Egyesület. The multiple name changes that have occurred since have in some respects reflected the difficult past of not only the district, but the region as a whole.

Up until the end of the 19th Century, Petržalka was a small town on the banks of the River Danube, very much separate from Bratislava. It wasn't until 1946 after the 2nd World War that the Petržalka district was officially recognised as part of the capital city. By the time of the Soviet Invasion in 1968 the district had expanded massively and was largely made up of high-rise concrete tower blocks or 'panelaks' which housed the city's workers. Echoes of a communist era still ring loud and clear today, and the district remains the most densely populated residential area in central Europe.

The football club had spent the majority of its existence outside of the Czechoslovakian top flight, and beyond Bratislava itself would be deemed by many as fairly insignificant in comparison to their cross city rivals Slovan Bratislava and Inter Bratislava. At the time of the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, and the inception of the Slovakian Football League in 1993 the club were based in the top flight and had already changed name eleven times up until this point. However it wasn't until their 12th name change in 2004 that the club finally came to the fore, and it was a name that suddenly started to pop up in football conversation across Europe.

As you're reading this article you could be forgiven for wondering who are FC Petržalka 1898, and what the fuss is all about. Well aside from being the oldest football club in Bratislava, a brief 3 year spell during 2004-2007 catapulted the club well and truly into the footballing spotlight. It was during this period that the club were known as 'Artmedia Bratislava'. Does that name start to ring a bell?

Following investment by advertising agency Euro RSCG Artmedia in 2003 (a subsidiary of club owner Ivan Kmotrik's Grafobal Publishing company), the club won the Slovakian Cup in the very next season - the clubs first major honour in their then 107 year history. This was quickly followed up with their first ever Corgon Liga title in 2005. In the following 2005/06 season they embarked on their debut Champions League campaign and burst on to the scene in some style, raising more than just a few unsuspecting eyebrows along the way.

Artmedia Bratislava became the first ever team to make it through to the Champions League group stage proper after starting their journey off in the 1st pre-qualifying round. With the arduous task of negotiating three pre-qualifying stages, Artmedia Bratislava announced their arrival on the European stage with a 5-0 drubbing of Celtic at home in the 2nd qualifying round. Perhaps Celtic were somewhat guilty of taking the "Accrington Stanley, who are they?" approach to pre match preparations, and were well and truly caught off guard on that classic night at the Tehelne Pole Stadium on Wednesday 27th July 2005. A four nil reverse in the 2nd leg wasn't enough to save Celtic's blushes and Artmedia progressed onto the third and final pre-qualifying stage. Two 'nil-nil' draws and a 4-3 penalty shoot out win against Partizan Belgrade over two legs was enough to see them cap another big scalp and take that giant leap into the Promised Land that is the Champions League group stage.

The man behind their brief rise to the top was coach Vladimir Weiss. Weiss played for the Czechoslovakian national side at the 1990 World Cup and guided their progress during that famous first season in Europe and on to further domestic glories that were to come.

Artmedia continued their amazing foray into Champions League football by more than making their mark in the group stage, where they were very much considered to be the whipping boys. An opening round home defeat to Inter Milan was followed up by a remarkable 3-2 away win at Porto, the then Champions of Europe. Three further draws, two with Scottish champions Rangers and one at home to Porto saw Artmedia finish 3rd in the group, only just missing out on qualification to the knock out stages by one point.

Despite the high profile distraction of Champions League football, their domestic form remained consistent and Artmedia finished runners up in the league in both the 2005/06 and 2006/07 seasons. The club then changed its name for the 13th time ahead of the 2007/08 season to FC Artmedia Petržalka, and this marked the start of their most successful domestic season ever as they went on to win the double.

Ironically it was after the most successful season in the club's history that the decline started. Club owner and investor Ivan Kmotrik controversially left to take over city rivals Slovan Bratislava. Successful coach Vladimír Weiss also left the club to go to FC Saturn Ramenskoe in Russia and several key players departed too. The club were relegated from the Corgon Liga to the second division in 2010, and it was at this point that the club was renamed to FC Petržalka 1898. The clubs fall from grace didn't stop there though, and an untimely player exodus further enhanced their woes and they were relegated to the 3rd division at the end of the 2011/12 season.

It's in the Slovakian 3rd Division (or the TAGON III Liga West) that FC Petržalka 1898 currently ply their trade. Their former home - the 10,000 capacity Petržalka Stadion - has recently been demolished, and home games are now played in the heart of the Petržalka district on the edge of an estate, at the rather modest and unimaginatively named Stadion FC Petržalka 1898.

With a listed capacity of just 1,500, it really is nothing more than a makeshift ground with a temporary seated stand erected along one half of the pitch. The other three sides of the playing area are enclosed by a single railing, with just a small graveled area separating the railing to a surround of trees and bushes that provide the backdrop to the rest of the ground. A derelict school building lines one side of the pitch, and this doubles up as the player changing rooms. A less glamorous setting in professional football would be hard to find.

On Sunday 20th October 2013, about 400 Petržalka fans had turned up for their home clash against bottom of the table side Piešťany. Surveying the surroundings as the players warmed up, it was hard to imagine that only seven years previous this club was playing Champions League football, and only five years ago they had won the Slovakian domestic double. A fall from grace on this scale must be hard to fathom for the clubs loyal followers. The combination of player changing room's located in a derelict school next door; teams entering the playing area via an old concrete playground; the bumpy pitch; and fan refreshments served from a 1970's caravan all provide a stark reminder of the former glory days that once were.

A 5-0 drubbing of Piešťany at least sent the faithful home smiling and those that remained for a post match drink at the FC Petržalka Pub on the estate outside, rubbed shoulders with the players that now proudly wear the black and white of FC Petržalka 1898 and aspire to return the club to a better place.

How the once mighty have fallen.

This article originally appeared in In Bed with Maradona

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It's Xolos vs. Galaxy in Champions League

Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham, right, defends against Tijuana's Javier Yaeuzzi at USD on Wednesday, March 2, 2011. - K.C. Alfred

The Tijuana Xolos finally drew an opponent in an international tournament that doesn't require endless flights across numerous time zones to a stadium in a remote corner of the planet. In the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League next March, they'll play the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The team that logged 75,000 air miles in the first six months of 2013 can take a bus.

It is a match-up determined solely by records from the group stage, but one that everyone involved - the Xolos, the Galaxy, MLS, Liga MX, CONCACAF, the region's soccer community - has been dreaming for. Salivating for. It is MLS vs. Liga MX, 2012 league champion vs. 2012 league champion, USA vs. Mexico, San Diego/Tijuana vs. L.A.

"Yes ... can't wait," tweeted Xolos forward Herculez Gomez, who made 53 appearances with the Galaxy from 2002-2006.

The CCL is the annual club championship for the CONCACAF region, which encompasses North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The winner next spring advances to the FIFA Club World Cup, which is in Morocco in December 2014. The24-team group stage ran from August through October and now takes a winter break before resuming in March.

Luis Suarez tips Liverpool's SAS to fire Reds into the Champions League

Luis Suarez has tipped Liverpool to make the Champions League (Picture: Getty)

Luis Suarez says his star strike partnership with Daniel Sturridge will help fire Liverpool to a top four finish this season.

The Reds, who have made qualifying for the Champions League a top priority, have enjoyed a solid start to the new campaign.

And with both Suarez and Sturridge both scoring for run, the former says he fancies Liverpool to pinch a place in the top four.

'We are trying to progress for the future of the club,' said Suarez.

'We know in the last few seasons, Liverpool have not been in the Champions League and we know we can help the team challenge for the top four.

MORE: Philippe Coutinho set to return for Liverpool ahead of Arsenal clashSuarez and Sturridge have been in excellent form this term (Picture: Getty)

'I am so happy because when you have a very good striker, and a very good partner, for defenders it is difficult because they have to give their attention to two players - not just one.

'If maybe two defenders come towards me, this creates space for Danny. This is important not just for me, but for the team and our confidence.'

Suarez enjoyed a strong partnership with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar at Ajax, but he believes a link up with Sturridge, which has earned them the nickname SAS, could be even better.

'Three or four years or more ago, when I played with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar at Ajax, he had a very good partnership with me,' he continued.

'Now, with Daniel we are trying our best and we can improve. Maybe in a few years I will be able to say my best partnership was with Daniel Sturridge, especially if we can continue to progress.'

MORE: Liverpool eye January deal for Manchester City striker John Guidetti

Mancini's Galatasaray cruise to victory, Munich enjoy a Plzening five

By David Kent

PUBLISHED: 16:00 EST, 23 October 2013 | UPDATED: 16:51 EST, 23 October 2013

Galatasaray eased to a 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen with three first-half goals enough to secure a win which keeps their qualification hopes alive.

Felipe Melo, Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba all found the net in a largely one-sided match between two sides trying to hang on the coat-tails of Real Madrid and Juventus in Group B.

Such was Galatasaray's dominance that it could, and perhaps should, have been more, but Roberto Mancini's men looked to take their foot off the pedal in the second half with the points secure.

There was time for Domingues Claudemir to get a late consolation for the visitors, but it will bring little comfort on the journey home. Sneijder had already warmed the palms of Johan Wiland when Melo put the hosts ahead nine minutes in, rising to head home Dany Nounkeu's cross from the right.

The Dutchman extended his side's lead in the 35th minute as Emmanuel Eboue's found him and he slotted teed the ball home.

And Galatasaray then killed the game off before half-time as Drogba scored in stoppage time, finishing another Eboue cross from close range.

Mancini seemed to call off the hounds in the second half as the chances dried up.

Copenhagen got a consolation goal in the 88th minute as Claudemir hit a low shot into the right-hand corner of the net.

Bayern Munich continued their dominant form in this season's tournament by beating the Group D whipping boys Viktoria Plzen 5-0 in the Allianz Arena.

The reigning European champions maintained their 100 per cent record in this season's tournament with a comfortable win as Franck Ribery's penalty in the 25th minute and a 37th-minute goal from David Alaba put the hosts in control at the break.

Bayern did not take their foot off the gas in the second half - Ribery scored his second of the game, midfield general Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mario Gotze's 90th-minute strike completed the rout.

In the battle for second place in Group C, Oscar Cardozo bundled home a late equaliser for Benfica as Jorge Jesus's side salvaged a 1-1 draw with Olympiacos.

Alejandro Dominguez had given the visitors a 29th-minute lead in torrential rain at the Stadium of Light and the Greek side clung onto their lead until seven minutes from time when Cardozo struck.

Stefan Kiessling shrugged off the controversy over his 'ghost' goal to score twice in a 4-0 thrashing of Shakhtar Donetsk which put Bayer Leverkusen in a strong position to progress in the Champions League.

Five days after he got the winner against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga with a shot which went through a hole in the side-netting, the striker started and completed the scoring with two legitimate efforts.

He got the Germans up and running with a header midway through the first half and tapped home a fourth 19 minutes from time as they ran riot after the break.

Simon Rolfes had doubled the lead from the penalty spot shortly after half-time and Sidney Sam quickly added a third as the Ukrainians were swept aside.

The win moved Bayer above their Group A rivals at the halfway stage, lifting them up to second place behind Manchester United on six points.

Kiessling claimed on Tuesday that the criticism he had received over Friday's incident, when his 'goal' was incorrectly awarded, had been harsh and he wanted the fuss to blow over.

He played his part in helping that happen as he gave the hosts the lead with the first real chance of the match in the 22nd minute.

Son Heung-min's shot was blocked, but the ball broke to Giulio Donati, who whipped in a cross from the right which Kiessling met in the centre of the area and headed into the bottom left corner.

If Shakhtar had hopes of mounting a second-half fightback, those were dashed within 20 minutes.

First Darijo Srna's foul on Kiessling in the 49th minute gave Rolfes the chance from the spot, which he duly took, rolling the ball into the bottom right corner.

And Sam added a third in the 57th minute, firing a low shot into the corner from inside the area after being found by Son.

Three became four in the 71st minute when Can's ball across from the right gave Kiessling a simple finish from close range.

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Why The World Cup Is Better Than The Champions League

For many, this is another Champions League week. The competition is heating up, and on Wednesday night, we'll be at the halfway point of the group stage. It has been an interesting few days, two of the countless Champions League match-days. We saw a few good games and big moments, and chances are, we'll end up remembering nothing of this week in Europe.

Meanwhile, for many players, this isn't another Champions League week, it's just another week closer to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. We're nearing that time when players worried over playing time in a World Cup year lobby for loans, and other players dread the injury that would rule them out of the biggest sporting party on planet earth.

I love the Champions League. It can't hold a candle to the World Cup.

The UEFA Champions League is home to great football, and many would argue the knockout stages are the best quality of football anywhere in the world. We get to see dream teams strung together with billions collide in front of wonderful atmospheres on those dreamily described "European nights".

It's thrilling stuff. But it can only get so good. After all, the current format of the European Cup is a made-for-TV competition that is just turning 21 years old. The Champions League is barely old enough to drink.

The competition has become an exhaustive, expansive tournament, continually expanded for money. It goes from the first qualifiers in mid-July to the final in mid-May - in other words, we only spend two months out of every year without Champions League football.

To win a UCL title, you will play at least 13 games over eight months. Most of those games will be entirely forgettable. A home match against Copenhagen, and away to Rubin Kazan? That's the majority of the Champions League, resting starters and jetting around to European outposts in the middle of a long season.

The Champions League is all about money. Each year we see the same top ten to twelve clubs in the quarterfinals, a contest between rich and richer to the point where megabucks Chelsea could be seen as lovable underdogs in 2012, and the dominant German side Borussia Dortmund could be smiled upon the same way in 2013.

The Champions League is a competition that only hits 32 of the biggest cities in Europe each year. In most cases, players have no connection to the club they represent except for a contract. You can always just move on to a new club next year, or the next year's competition.

It makes for great viewing, but not much more.

At its best, football and all sports can unite and bring joy and hope. Football can lift entire nations from the horror of war or oppression, if just for one month, every four years. The Champions League is just the Champions League. The World Cup is so much more.

Most people agree that the 2010 World Cup in South Africa was a fairly drab affair. But the scenes of Landon Donovan's last-minute winner, Luis Suarez's handball against Ghana, South Africa's opening goal, and so many more will never be forgotten. The World Cup creates heroes and villains. The stakes are just that much higher.

It's one month, every four years. The entire world gathers in one place, players, fans, coaches, cultures and traditions all in one host country. The rest of the world stops to take in the event from afar.

A 2006 poem in Sports Illustrated's preview of the tournament described it this way:

It Closes The Shops

Closes The Schools

Closes A City

Stops A War

Fuels A Nation

Breaks The Boarders

Builds A Hero

Crushes A Dream

Answers A Prayer

And Changes The World.

The World Cup a brilliant collision of national pride and great sporting drama. You're only guaranteed three games, in the space of around ten days. That can be it for four years. The theater is unreal. Every country in the event knows that they must realistically win one game, and only lose one game, or that one shining moment when your compatriots and the world is watching closes. When it gets to the knockout stage, it's win or go home. Penalties? They're hard to watch even as a neutral.

For many of these countries, there is nothing more accessible and recognizable than the national soccer team. At times, it's the number one representation of a nation.

That's why we see the hysteria and the unreal storylines we see at every World Cup. That's why we see presidents and prime ministers and royalty hauling in managers and captains for inquisitions after tournament failures, and why the speculation and fervor around national sides is unreal. It's all about identity.

We snicker when France starts boycotting, and England goes to pieces under pressure. We laugh when Italy flails dramatically, and the Germans performs clinically and cold-bloodedly, but that's truly what these countries are. Watching the World Cup can be like taking an AP History class.

The World Cup unties people. It unites culture. Africa is represented. North America, Central America, South America, they're all there. Europe and Asia and Australia are all there at the World Cup. The Champions League has European cities. The World Cup has the world.

You can hear it from the players. The World Cup is the pinnacle of the professional soccer player's career. Athletes like David Beckham that have made millions of dollars and played in countless Champions League games dream of that one last shot at a month in the World Cup.

It drove Beckham to Milan and England and onto Fabio Capello 's bench. When Beckham tore his Achilles and was ruled out, he still accompanied England to South Africa as a coach.

The World Cup is the brightest stage on the planet. The 2010 competition was shown on TV in every country in the world, and estimations are the World Cup was viewed by 3.2 billion people, or almost half the world's population. The 2012 Champions League final was viewed by around 167 million.

The World Cup is still a tournament for romantics. Watch Gianluigi Buffon belt out the Italian national anthem this summer and you'll know what I mean. The Champions League anthem can't match the national anthems.

There will be great games at the World Cup, epics that will be talked about for ages between the great footballing countries. This is still the best collection of football talent and history in the world. But at its best, the games are just part of the spectacle of the World Cup.

Call me naïve, but when I hear a player talk about how they dreamed of representing their country as a kid, and then the pride they felt when they pulled on the national team shirt, I remember why I love this game.

Because with the World Cup, it's more than a game.

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ANALYSIS: Moyes wrestles United attention back from Ferguson with ...

Ferguson's autobiography threatened to overshadow the visit of the Spanish club, but United completed a 1-0 win to ensure Moyes' side moved to the top of Group A.United had made a fairly decent start to their European campaign this season by beating Bayer Leverkusen and drawing at Shakhtar Donetsk, despite struggling domestically.After drawing 1-1 with Southampton last weekend to leave United eighth in the Premier League, the pressure was building on Moyes to get a good result last night.Here Express Sport assesses how Moyes fared in his encounter with Sociedad..TEAM SELECTIONWith Robin van Persie not featuring in the squad, fellow striker Javier Hernandez was given a chance in the United first XI, as was Shinji Kagawa, who started out wide and was one of three players coming into the midfield along with Antonio Valencia and Ryan Giggs. Michael Carrick kept his place in the middle of the park, with Adnan Januzaj, Nani and Marouane Fellaini dropping to the bench.

TACTICSOperating ostensibly in a 4-4-2 formation, but with the lively Rooney roaming and full-back Patrice Evra getting forward, United made the start Moyes would have hoped for, pressing hard and swiftly grabbing the lead as their harried opponents conceded an own-goal. The hosts were comfortable for most of the first half, but Sociedad began to settle down a little and fired a real warning just prior to the interval as Antoine Griezmann hit the post. The game continued to be tense for United through the second half, with their woodwork being struck again and their attacks failing to yield another goal.SUBSTITUTIONSMoyes brought on Chris Smalling just before the hour mark for the booked Rafael and then Ashley Young for the ineffective Hernandez with 10 minutes to go.BODY LANGUAGEMoyes is likely to have felt some weight lift from his shoulders when the early goal went in, but he is rarely anything other than intense-looking when watching his teams and that was certainly the case as Sociedad started to gain a foothold in the game towards the end of the first half. With further pressure coming from the visitors after the restart and United unable to make the most of their chances, the Scot at times cut a pretty agitated figure in his technical area. By the end, he might have just been relieved there was no repeat of Southampton's late equaliser.

Champions League joy for Arsenal on Arsene Wenger's anniversary

(CNN) -- Arsene Wenger could scarcely have asked for a more enjoyable anniversary gift from his players after Arsenal produced a scintillating showing to see off Napoli in the Champions League.

Celebrating his 17th year in charge, Wenger watched on as the Gunners turned in one of the English club's finest European performances for some time to defeat the Serie A side 2-0.

Mesut Ozil, the German playmaker who arrived on deadline day from Real Madrid, was the man who ran the show.

Ozil's sublime opener and an Olivier Giroud strike secured a second straight Champions League win for Arsenal, which now sits three points clear at the top of Group F.

"Considering we were playing against a top side, we played very efficiently winning the ball back and it was a very impressive first 45 minutes," captain Mikael Arteta told Sky Sports.

"We have the talent up front to score the goals. But there is also a hunger. Now we know that we need to win the ball back quickly, because when we win it back in the final third we are very dangerous.

"We still have players to come back from injury and they will add their own qualities."

After its opening day defeat by Aston Villa which led to huge criticism of Wenger, Arsenal has been in imperious form.

And the Frenchman was delighted with his side's latest showing as it continued its winning streak.

"I felt that we played at a good pace, technically very direct and finished with great goals," he told Sky Sports.

"The first half was outstanding. The second half we played more with maturity, less with drive going forward, a bit more cautious, but overall and outstanding game.

"The first half was amazing, absolutely fantastic. Everything was in there. All that you dream to see when you come to watch football.

"We were solid. Flamini and Arteta contributed to that, and overall it was positive because I wanted Flamini to be very good on the counter attack, especially with Ramsey, and that worked very well."

Napoli coach Rafael Benitez had never managed to win at Arsenal during his time at Liverpool or Chelsea and that statistic rarely looked like changing.

One sided

Arsenal, which sits top of the Premier League, ran riot during a one sided first half with Ozil dictating proceedings in the middle of the field.

Napoli had arrived with plenty of optimism, unbeaten this season after winning five of its opening six Serie A games and having seen off Borussia Dortmund in its last European fixture.

But it had little to offer in way of a response against the tidal wave of pressure exerted by a buoyant Arsenal.

In the group's other game, Dortmund eased to a 3-0 win over Marseille courtesy of Robert Lewandowski's double and a Marco Reus strike.

Arsenal hosts Dortmund in its next game on October 22 -- a tie which Wenger is relishing following his side's perfect start to the group stage.

"You cannot start better, and the next two will be deciders," he added.

"That's when we want the game to come back after the international break and have a great game against Dortmund."

Chelsea

In Group E, Schalke moved top with a 1-0 win at Basel thanks to a Julian Draxler strike, while Chelsea cruised to a 4-0 victory at Steaua Bucharest.

Two goals from Ramires, an own-goal and a late Frank Lampard effort clinched Chelsea's first win in this year's competition and eased the pressure on manager Jose Mourinho.

"This is what Chelsea needed," Juan Mata told Sky Sports. "The first game against Basel was a painful defeat.

" We showed we wanted to win. We played really well. It was enough to win. It will now give us confidence."

Atletico Madrid has taken charge of Group G following a 2-1 win over Porto in Portugal.

Diego Godin and Arda Turan were both on target as the Spanish side, which won Sunday's Madrid derby, came from behind to claim the points following Jackson Martinez's opener.

In the group's other game, Russia's Zenit St. Petersburg was held to a goalless draw by Austria Vienna -- a result which leaves both teams with one point from their opening two fixtures.

Barcelona

Barcelona equaled Manchester United's record of 39 away wins in the Champions League after overcoming Celtic 1-0.

The Scottish champion had chances of its own but was forced to play the final 31 minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of captain Scott Brown.

Brown was adjudged to have kicked out at Barca star Neymar and was given his marching orders.

Cesc Fabregas ensured Barcelona made the most of its numerical supremacy with 15 minutes of normal time remaining.

"I'm not convinced it's a red card. If there's any contact it's very minimal," Celtic boss Neil Lennon told ITV.

"It changed the game. It's hard enough playing against Barcelona with 11 men, never mind 10 men.

"Neymar has a reputation in the game. Sometimes he exaggerates things a little bit."

In the group's other game, Mario Balotelli scored a 94th-minute penalty to rescue a point for AC Milan at Ajax.

The Dutch side appeared to have won the contest when Stefano Denswil netted in the 90th minute but Balotelli struck at the death to silence the home crowd after the Italy striker went down in the area following a tussle with substitute Mike Van der Hoorn.