CL Report: Arsenal Comfortably Through To Group Stage
ARSENAL 3-0 SPARTA PRAGUE
Arsenal encountered little resitance from Sparta Prague at the Emirates Stadium tonight, easing through the second leg of their Champions League Third Qualifying Round tie 3-0, for a 5-0 aggregate triumph.
An eighth minute goal by Tomas Rosicky againsthis former club set the Gunners on their way, although in typical Arsenal fashion they added two morre in the final 10 minutes to give the scoreline an emphatic look.
Substitute Cesc Fabregas scored a neat second after excellent work by Eduardo, and the Croatian got on the score-sheet himself a minute from the end.
An eighth minute goal by Tomas Rosicky againsthis former club set the Gunners on their way, although in typical Arsenal fashion they added two morre in the final 10 minutes to give the scoreline an emphatic look.
Substitute Cesc Fabregas scored a neat second after excellent work by Eduardo, and the Croatian got on the score-sheet himself a minute from the end.
CL Qualifier Report: Victory Sees Valencia Comfortably Through
A 2-1 win in the driving Boras rain (5-1 agg) secured safe passage for Valencia as four new recruits received their competitive debuts.
Ivan Helguera took just five minutes to open his Valencia goal account, all but ending any chance of an unlikely Elfsborg revival.
Flores also handed a starting jersey to Timo Hildebrand in goal.
Marco Caneira kept his place from the first leg at right back, while Sunny and Jaime Gavilan were given starts in central and left midfield respectively. The game was an open and physical affair, threatening to flair up on occasion, though the early Helguera goal knocked the wind out the Swedish sales.
The hosts fought back with a Daniel Alexandersson goal just after the half hour mark, but Los Che never looked in danger of relinquishing their sizeable aggregate lead. Both Javier Arizmendi and Alexis played their first competitive minutes in Valencia colours, coming off the bench in the second half.
Elfsborg caused the visitors some problems in the the last half hour, parly due to defensive confusion and some poor marking by Valencia's backline, and Hildebrand was called upon a couple of times to intervene. But substitute David Villa, on for David Silva mid way through the second period, secured the win in the dying minutes. Villa put Morientes's replacement Arizmendi through on goal, and after the ex-Depor forward saw his shot parried, the much-wanted hotshot was on hand to knock home the winner.
CL Report: Benfica Bring Champions Bacon Back From Copenhagen
Benfica are through to the Group Phase of the Champions League on the back of a 0-1 win at the Parken stadium in Copenhagen. The Portuguese giants had won 2-1 in the first leg in Lisbon and made the most out of an early Katsouranis goal. FC Copenhagen will have to content themselves with the UEFA Cup…
FC COPENHAGEN 0-1 SL BENFICA
Benfica started off without towering Seleção centre-back Luisão, the big man recovered from his injury but Camacho not wanting to risk a longer spell in dry dock and opting for a repeat of the recent Bwin Liga partnership between Katsouranis and Miguel Vítor.
Di María made his official competition debut for the visiting Águias and another man who seems set to gain space under the Spaniard, Luís Filipe, made his Champions League debut in place of Nuno Assis.
On the home side Solbakken fielded more-or-less the same side from the da Luz leg, just making one adjustment as Nordstrand come on for the unavailable Gronkjaer, Brazilian number 7 Aílton Almeida starting off from the bench.
The hosts started off as expected, Nordstrand proving active yet ineffective with a weak header, shot over the bar and not reaching a Würtz cross. The best chance came seven minutes in as Léo cleared a Hangeland header off the line.
Five minutes later Gravgaard almost scored but Cardozo proved he can stop goals as well as net them and the Paraguayan let Benfica off the hook. It seemed like the guests were playing with fire and the Danes were taking strength from the Portuguese weakness.
It looked like the first goal was bound to be local, but, against the run of play a Benfica surge left Rui Costa with a free kick and the Maestro curled a precise kick over for Cardozo to get a head to, the ball knocked on to Nuno Gomes, who gave a second nod and Katsouranis (17 min) deflected the ball in.
The goal was wildly celebrated by a small contingent of roughly 400 Benfica fans as the local faithful were hit with an unexpected slap across the face when they were almost ready to celebrate an FC Copenhagen goal. The away goal hung heavy in the air.
Nuno Gomes banged in a great shot that Christiansen managed to tip wide, avoiding what would surely have been the qualifying goal. The hosts were punch drunk, Rui Costa crossing in again and Nuno Gomes nodding on for Miguel Vítor to almost score the second.
The Maestro was giving a lecture in fine passing, setting Di María up for the Argentine to bang a shot past the left post. The Lions roared back at Benfica and appealed for a penalty after a clash between Miguel Vítor and Allbäck, but all the ref gave was a yellow to Hutchinson for his prolonged protests.
Jensen almost managed to square things off with a free kick that exploded off Quim’s right post. After a Luís Filipe / Nuno Gomes counter-strike Jensen was at it again and Quim just managed to defuse the danger with Silberbauer blasting the ball over.
Allbäck missed a great chance as he was unmarked in the heart of the Benfica box, but the Swede headed just wide of the left post to howls from the terraces. The first half ended with the score in favour of the visitors and worried looks from the crowd.
The second half began with a change in the Benfica line-up, Camacho taking off Nélson – who’d ended the first half limping – and bringing Nuno Assis onto the pitch. On the sidelines Bergessio, Romeu Ribeiro and Fábio Coentrão all warmed up.
FC Copenhagen were finding it difficult to make headway against a Benfica who knew they had both time and the score on their side. Di María was brought down on the edge of the Danish area as the Águias launched a counter-attack but Rui Costa stroked the free kick over Christiansen’s crossbar.
Solbakken made his first move as he brought Würtz off for fresh blood in the shape of Sionko. The hosts tried to re-inject some of the lost velocity as Hutchinson ripped up the left flank and crossed for Hangeland to head over Quim’s crossbar.
Katsouranis earned a yellow for trying to delay an FC Copenhagen free kick. The dead-ball chance almost hit home as Sionko made space enough to unleash a shot that skipped just wide of the right post.
With sixteen minutes left both sides made their second substitutions, the hosts swapping centre-forwards as Nordstrand made way for Aílton Almeida and Camacho tweaking his midfield by bringing off Di María for young prospect Romeu Ribeiro.
Cardozo and Nuno Assis tried their luck but were blocked. The final ten minutes saw a good chance for The Lions go wanting as Quim closed Gravgaard down and the local man missed the chance to net the equaliser and at least give the hosts some hope.
Jensen headed one of the last remaining chances over as three minutes were added, but it was looking bleak for FC Copenhagen and sure enough the final whistle was blown and Benfica celebrated a job well done. 0-1, 3-1 on aggregate and the Águias fly into the Group Phase.
Benfica are through to the Group Phase of the Champions League on the back of a 0-1 win at the Parken stadium in Copenhagen. The Portuguese giants had won 2-1 in the first leg in Lisbon and made the most out of an early Katsouranis goal. FC Copenhagen will have to content themselves with the UEFA Cup…
FC COPENHAGEN 0-1 SL BENFICA
Benfica started off without towering Seleção centre-back Luisão, the big man recovered from his injury but Camacho not wanting to risk a longer spell in dry dock and opting for a repeat of the recent Bwin Liga partnership between Katsouranis and Miguel Vítor.
Di María made his official competition debut for the visiting Águias and another man who seems set to gain space under the Spaniard, Luís Filipe, made his Champions League debut in place of Nuno Assis.
On the home side Solbakken fielded more-or-less the same side from the da Luz leg, just making one adjustment as Nordstrand come on for the unavailable Gronkjaer, Brazilian number 7 Aílton Almeida starting off from the bench.
The hosts started off as expected, Nordstrand proving active yet ineffective with a weak header, shot over the bar and not reaching a Würtz cross. The best chance came seven minutes in as Léo cleared a Hangeland header off the line.
Five minutes later Gravgaard almost scored but Cardozo proved he can stop goals as well as net them and the Paraguayan let Benfica off the hook. It seemed like the guests were playing with fire and the Danes were taking strength from the Portuguese weakness.
It looked like the first goal was bound to be local, but, against the run of play a Benfica surge left Rui Costa with a free kick and the Maestro curled a precise kick over for Cardozo to get a head to, the ball knocked on to Nuno Gomes, who gave a second nod and Katsouranis (17 min) deflected the ball in.
The goal was wildly celebrated by a small contingent of roughly 400 Benfica fans as the local faithful were hit with an unexpected slap across the face when they were almost ready to celebrate an FC Copenhagen goal. The away goal hung heavy in the air.
Nuno Gomes banged in a great shot that Christiansen managed to tip wide, avoiding what would surely have been the qualifying goal. The hosts were punch drunk, Rui Costa crossing in again and Nuno Gomes nodding on for Miguel Vítor to almost score the second.
The Maestro was giving a lecture in fine passing, setting Di María up for the Argentine to bang a shot past the left post. The Lions roared back at Benfica and appealed for a penalty after a clash between Miguel Vítor and Allbäck, but all the ref gave was a yellow to Hutchinson for his prolonged protests.
Jensen almost managed to square things off with a free kick that exploded off Quim’s right post. After a Luís Filipe / Nuno Gomes counter-strike Jensen was at it again and Quim just managed to defuse the danger with Silberbauer blasting the ball over.
Allbäck missed a great chance as he was unmarked in the heart of the Benfica box, but the Swede headed just wide of the left post to howls from the terraces. The first half ended with the score in favour of the visitors and worried looks from the crowd.
The second half began with a change in the Benfica line-up, Camacho taking off Nélson – who’d ended the first half limping – and bringing Nuno Assis onto the pitch. On the sidelines Bergessio, Romeu Ribeiro and Fábio Coentrão all warmed up.
FC Copenhagen were finding it difficult to make headway against a Benfica who knew they had both time and the score on their side. Di María was brought down on the edge of the Danish area as the Águias launched a counter-attack but Rui Costa stroked the free kick over Christiansen’s crossbar.
Solbakken made his first move as he brought Würtz off for fresh blood in the shape of Sionko. The hosts tried to re-inject some of the lost velocity as Hutchinson ripped up the left flank and crossed for Hangeland to head over Quim’s crossbar.
Katsouranis earned a yellow for trying to delay an FC Copenhagen free kick. The dead-ball chance almost hit home as Sionko made space enough to unleash a shot that skipped just wide of the right post.
With sixteen minutes left both sides made their second substitutions, the hosts swapping centre-forwards as Nordstrand made way for Aílton Almeida and Camacho tweaking his midfield by bringing off Di María for young prospect Romeu Ribeiro.
Cardozo and Nuno Assis tried their luck but were blocked. The final ten minutes saw a good chance for The Lions go wanting as Quim closed Gravgaard down and the local man missed the chance to net the equaliser and at least give the hosts some hope.
Jensen headed one of the last remaining chances over as three minutes were added, but it was looking bleak for FC Copenhagen and sure enough the final whistle was blown and Benfica celebrated a job well done. 0-1, 3-1 on aggregate and the Águias fly into the Group Phase.
Benfica are through to the Group Phase of the Champions League on the back of a 0-1 win at the Parken stadium in Copenhagen. The Portuguese giants had won 2-1 in the first leg in Lisbon and made the most out of an early Katsouranis goal. FC Copenhagen will have to content themselves with the UEFA Cup…
FC COPENHAGEN 0-1 SL BENFICA
Benfica started off without towering Seleção centre-back Luisão, the big man recovered from his injury but Camacho not wanting to risk a longer spell in dry dock and opting for a repeat of the recent Bwin Liga partnership between Katsouranis and Miguel Vítor.
Di María made his official competition debut for the visiting Águias and another man who seems set to gain space under the Spaniard, Luís Filipe, made his Champions League debut in place of Nuno Assis.
On the home side Solbakken fielded more-or-less the same side from the da Luz leg, just making one adjustment as Nordstrand come on for the unavailable Gronkjaer, Brazilian number 7 Aílton Almeida starting off from the bench.
The hosts started off as expected, Nordstrand proving active yet ineffective with a weak header, shot over the bar and not reaching a Würtz cross. The best chance came seven minutes in as Léo cleared a Hangeland header off the line.
Five minutes later Gravgaard almost scored but Cardozo proved he can stop goals as well as net them and the Paraguayan let Benfica off the hook. It seemed like the guests were playing with fire and the Danes were taking strength from the Portuguese weakness.
It looked like the first goal was bound to be local, but, against the run of play a Benfica surge left Rui Costa with a free kick and the Maestro curled a precise kick over for Cardozo to get a head to, the ball knocked on to Nuno Gomes, who gave a second nod and Katsouranis (17 min) deflected the ball in.
The goal was wildly celebrated by a small contingent of roughly 400 Benfica fans as the local faithful were hit with an unexpected slap across the face when they were almost ready to celebrate an FC Copenhagen goal. The away goal hung heavy in the air.
Nuno Gomes banged in a great shot that Christiansen managed to tip wide, avoiding what would surely have been the qualifying goal. The hosts were punch drunk, Rui Costa crossing in again and Nuno Gomes nodding on for Miguel Vítor to almost score the second.
The Maestro was giving a lecture in fine passing, setting Di María up for the Argentine to bang a shot past the left post. The Lions roared back at Benfica and appealed for a penalty after a clash between Miguel Vítor and Allbäck, but all the ref gave was a yellow to Hutchinson for his prolonged protests.
Jensen almost managed to square things off with a free kick that exploded off Quim’s right post. After a Luís Filipe / Nuno Gomes counter-strike Jensen was at it again and Quim just managed to defuse the danger with Silberbauer blasting the ball over.
Allbäck missed a great chance as he was unmarked in the heart of the Benfica box, but the Swede headed just wide of the left post to howls from the terraces. The first half ended with the score in favour of the visitors and worried looks from the crowd.
The second half began with a change in the Benfica line-up, Camacho taking off Nélson – who’d ended the first half limping – and bringing Nuno Assis onto the pitch. On the sidelines Bergessio, Romeu Ribeiro and Fábio Coentrão all warmed up.
FC Copenhagen were finding it difficult to make headway against a Benfica who knew they had both time and the score on their side. Di María was brought down on the edge of the Danish area as the Águias launched a counter-attack but Rui Costa stroked the free kick over Christiansen’s crossbar.
Solbakken made his first move as he brought Würtz off for fresh blood in the shape of Sionko. The hosts tried to re-inject some of the lost velocity as Hutchinson ripped up the left flank and crossed for Hangeland to head over Quim’s crossbar.
Katsouranis earned a yellow for trying to delay an FC Copenhagen free kick. The dead-ball chance almost hit home as Sionko made space enough to unleash a shot that skipped just wide of the right post.
With sixteen minutes left both sides made their second substitutions, the hosts swapping centre-forwards as Nordstrand made way for Aílton Almeida and Camacho tweaking his midfield by bringing off Di María for young prospect Romeu Ribeiro.
Cardozo and Nuno Assis tried their luck but were blocked. The final ten minutes saw a good chance for The Lions go wanting as Quim closed Gravgaard down and the local man missed the chance to net the equaliser and at least give the hosts some hope.
Jensen headed one of the last remaining chances over as three minutes were added, but it was looking bleak for FC Copenhagen and sure enough the final whistle was blown and Benfica celebrated a job well done. 0-1, 3-1 on aggregate and the Águias fly into the Group Phase.
CL Report: Ten Cate's Ajax Dumped Out By Slavia Prague
Slavia Prague 1-2 Ajax
Henk Ten Cate's Ajax have yet again failed to qualify for the Champions League, crashing out after losing both the legs to Czech side Slavia Prague
Last year, it was FC Copenhagen who stunned Ajax in the third qualifying round, winning 2-0 in Amsterdam after losing the first leg 1-2 in Denmark.
It was dismissed as early season blues back then, as Ten Cate looked to settle in, but this one had been labelled a must win game in Amsterdam.
This time, it is Slavia Prague who have dumped the Dutch giants out of the Champions League and into the Uefa Cup. If anything, this was a more emphatic beating, as they first lost 1-0 at home, and then 2-1 away.
Stainslav Vlcek was the man who did the damage, scoring in the 22nd and 86th minute to seal the Czechs' progress to the group stage of the Champions League.
Suarez scored in the 33rd minute to set up an interesting game, but Ajax failed to get their noses ahead try as they did, and paid for it when Vlcek got his second four minutes from time.
Ten Cate is struggling with a squad that has just lost Wesley Sneijder and Ryan Babel, and though his future is not in threat, the chances of their challenging PSV Eindhoven domestically look minimal at the moment.
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