The preliminary round sof the Champions League are already underway and the draw for the third qualifying round, when some more well known teams join up, was made today.

First Leg July 27-28
Second Leg Aug. 3-4
Champions Path
Liepajas Metalurgs (Latvia) or Sparta Prague (Czech Republic) vs. Inter Baki
(Azerbaijan) or Lech Poznan (Poland)
Aktobe (Kazakhstan) or Olimpi Rustavi (Georgia) vs. Hapoel Tel-Aviv (Israel)
or Zeljeznicar (Bosnia)
Sheriff (Moldova) or Dinamo Tirana (Albania) vs. Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) or
Koper (Slovenia)
Litex Lovech (Bulgaria) or Rudar Pljevlja (Montenegro) vs. Birkirkara
(Malta) or Zilina (Slovakia)
Levadia Tallinn (Estonia) or Debrecen (Hungary) vs. FC Basel (Switzerland)
AIK Solna (Sweden) or Jeunesse Esch (Luxembourg) vs. Linfield (Northern
Ireland) or Rosenborg (Norway)
Partizan Belgrade (Serbia) or Pyunik (Armenia) vs. Ekranas (Lithuania) or
HJK Helsinki (Finland)
BATE Borisov (Bulgaria) or Hafnarfjordur (Iceland) vs. FC Copenhagen
(Denmark)
Bohemian (Ireland) or The New Saints (Wales) vs. Anderlecht (Belgium)
Omonia (Cyprus) or Renova (Macedonia) vs. Salzburg (Austria) or Torshavn
(Faeroe Islands)

Non-Champions Path
Ajax (Netherlands) vs. PAOK (Greece)
Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine) vs. Ghent (Belgium)
Young Boys (Switzerland) vs. Fenerbahce (Turkey)
Braga (Portugal) vs. Celtic (Scotland)
Unirea Urziceni (Romania) vs. Zenit St. Petersburg (Russia)

A story on some preliminary round results,

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=afp-fbleurc1

And a Lomana LuaLua sighting, he scored for Cyprus' Omona Nicosia, who won easily.

Tuesday's 3rd qualifying round, first leg results:

The New Saints (Wales) 1 Anderlecht (Belgium) 3
Sparta Prague (Czech Republic) 1 Lech Poznan (Poland) 0
Unirea Urziceni (Romania) 0 Zenit St Petersburg (Russia) 0
Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine) 3 Ghent (Belgium) 0
Litex Lovech (Bulgaria) 1 Zilina (Slovakia) 1
Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus) 1 Salzburg (Austria) 1

Looks good for Dynamo Kiev and Anderlecht. Andrei Shevchenko with one of Kiev's goals while US player Sacha Kljestan scored one of Anderlecht's goals.

More results:

BATE Borisov (Belarus) 0 FC Copenhagen (Denmark) 0
Aktobe Lento (Kazakhstan) 1 Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel) 0
Sheriff Tiraspol (Moldova) 1 Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) 1
Debrecen (Hungary) 0 Basel (Switzerland) 2
Young Boys (Switzerland) 2 Fenerbahce (Turkey) 2
Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands) 1 PAOK Salonika (Greece) 1
Partizan Belgrade (Serbia) 3 HJK Helsinki (Finland) 0
AIK Stockholm (Sweden) 0 Rosenborg Trondheim (Norway) 1
Braga (Portugal) 3 Celtic (Scotland) 0

Luis Suarez' goal was not enough to gve Ajax a home win as PAOK are in pretty good shape for enxt week's return game. Celtic are in deep trouble after losing by 3 goals to Sporting Braga. Rosenborg with a good road win in Sweden in their "Scandinavian derby" while Fenerbahce survived Kazim Kazim's sending off to hold out for a 2-2 draw in Berne.

I had never heard of Wales' The New Saints before but they are the club previously known as Total Network Systems, the only British club I knew of named after it's sponsor.

The 2nd leg results from Tuesday in the final prleiminary round of the Champions League, plus tomorrow's schedule:

*Anderlecht (Belgium) 2 Partizan Belgrade (Serbia) 2
Partizan Belgrade win 3-2 on penalties after 4-4 on aggregate.
*Sampdoria (Italy) 3 Werder Bremen (Germany) 2
Werder Bremen win 5-4 on aggregate.
Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel) 1 Salzburg (Austria) 1
Hapoel Tel Aviv win 4-3 on aggregate.
Sevilla (Spain) 3 Braga (Portugal) 4
Braga win 5-3 on aggregate.
Sheriff Tiraspol (Moldova) 0 Basel (Switzerland) 3
Basel win 4-0 on aggregate.

Playing on Wednesday (GMT)
Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands) v Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine)
(1845)
Auxerre (France) v Zenit St Petersburg (Russia)
(1845)
Tottenham Hotspur (England) v Young Boys (Switzerland)
(1845)
FC Copenhagen (Denmark) v Rosenborg Trondheim (Norway)
(1845)
Zilina (Slovakia) v Sparta Prague (Czech Republic)
(1845)


Big time drama in both Sevilla and Genoa. Braga jumped to a 2-0 lead, 3-0 overall at Sevilla before Sevilla brought 2 goals back. As they were pushing forward, Braga scored twice more in the final 5 minutes through forward Lima who had a hat trick. Kanoute scored a late consolation goal for Sevilla. If I am not mistaken this will be Sporting Braga's 1st time in the Champions League. As for Sevilla, they need to find some defense after giving up 4 goals each to both Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup and now Sporting Braga in this European match.

In Genoa, Sampdoria looked to have put Werder Bremen away, overocming a 3-1 first leg deficit as Cassano scored late in the game to put Sampdoria 4-3 up on aggregate. But Markus Rosenberg's 3rd minute injury time goal sent it to extra time against a by now 10 man Samp and in extra time Claudio Pizarro put the game away for Bremen. Another German win which makes it increasingly likely that next season Germany, and not Italy, will have 4 CL participants.

Good for Braga, and what a game by Lima with his 3 goals. I really did not expect Sevilla to lose this series but Braga like Barcelona alst weekend exploited their defensive deficiencies.

Werder Bremen looked down and out until Rosenberg saved them with that injury time goal sending it to extra time. There they then made their one man advantage count and knocked Sampdoria out. I am assuming Sampdoria, Sevilla, Anderlecht and the rest of the losers in this round still get to play in the Europa League so they have some consolation.

I was disappointed Anderlecht were knocked out as I wanted to see 17 year old Romalu Lukaku play, the teenager some are describing as a young Drogba.

20 million euros just for competing in the group stage with prize money, broadcast revenue and ticket sales!

And some Anderlecht players are blaming poor turf around the penalty spot for their loss to Partizan Belgrade on penalties! A loss which will cost Anderlecht some 20 million euros.

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ap-patchypenalties

I saw the penalty shootout and the poor turf was something both teams had to deal with, Partizan converted all but one of their penalties, which was nicely saved by Anderlecht's keeper, but the Belgian club missed 3 penalties which went way over the bar. Obviously Partizan were smart enough to know to keep their shots down on a poor playing surface.

I am disappojnted because I too would have liked to have seen Lukaku on the international stage of the Champions League. But I think we will be seieng plenty of him over the next decade!

Those were some costly penalty misses by Anderlecht then. The point to remember which Supereagle notes, is both teams had to deal with the bad pitch around the penalty spot. It did not seem to effect Partizan however. Yet the home team suffered because their players did not adjust to the conditions.

Wednesday's results:

Auxerre (France) 2 Zenit St Petersburg (Russia) 0
Auxerre win 2-1 on aggregate.
Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands) 2 Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine) 1
Ajax Amsterdam win 3-2 on aggregate.
FC Copenhagen (Denmark) 1 Rosenborg Trondheim (Norway) 0
FC Copenhagen win on away goals after 2-2 on aggregate.
Zilina (Slovakia) 1 Sparta Prague (Czech Republic) 0
Zilina win 3-0 on aggregate.
Tottenham Hotspur (England) 4 Young Boys (Switzerland) 0
4-0 (halftime: 2-0)
Tottenham Hotspur win 6-3 on aggregate.

After Slovakia knocked the Czech Republic out of World Cup qualifying, they once again took advantage of their neighbors as Zilina of Slovakia eliminates Sparta Prague of the Czech Republic.

Tottenham beat Young Boys in a headline writers dream. 3 goals from Peter Crouch. Ajax scored the lone goal thru Luis Suarez to eliminate Dynamo Kiev. Zenit St Petersburg's heavy investment did not pay off as Auxerre won today 2-0 to eliminate them 2-1 on aggregate. And Copenhagen won the Scandinavian derby against Rosenborg.

Zenit St. Petersburg are running away with the Russian league title, are in mid season form, as opposed to their opponents Auxerre who just began their league season and Zenit invested over 50 million euros in buyng new players such as central defender Bruno Alves (Oporto); the Serbian defender Aleksandar Lukovic (Udinese); Russian forward Alexander Bujárov (Rubín Kazán); Russian internationals Kerzhakov (Dinamo) and Semak (Rubín) and the Serbian midfielder from PSV Eindhoven, Danko Lazovic.

But it was Auxerre who controlled the game and won 2-0 to advance 2-1 on aggregate.

The draw for the group stage is about to begin.

yes that is a lot of Gazprom's money down the drain at Zenit.

So here is the group draw:

Group A
Internazionale
Werder Bremen
Tottenham Hotspur
FC Twente

Group B
Lyon
Benfica
Schalke
Hapoel Tel-Aviv

Group C
Manchester United
Valencia
Rangers
Buraspor

Group D
Barcelona
Panathinaikos
Copenhagen
Rubin Kazan

Group E
Bayern Munich
Roma
FC Basel
CFR Cluj

Group F
Chelsea
Marseille
Spartak Moscow
MSK Zilina

Group G
AC Milan
Real Madrid
Ajax
Auxerre

Group H
Arsenal
Shakhtar Donetsk
SC Braga
FK Partizan

Group B looks to be pretty open between Lyon, Benfica and Schalke, and Group G looks like a good battle between Milan and real Madrid which should stir the interest here. But other than those two groups, this draw looks pretty unremarkable and frankly there are not that many eye catching matchups.

I agree with this, Group B looks the most wide open, the Milan-Real Madrid games should be interesting with an added bonus of adding Ajax, a team with a greta history but just an average present. The remaining groups all in my opinion have overwhelming favorites with the real interest in those determining who will finish 2nd. Werder Bremen-Tottenham in A looks to me like the best fight for 2nd of the other groups. but hopefully the tournament will give us some more surprises.

I thought I was the only one less than excited by this draw until I read others opinions here. Only afew of the groups look lke they will be compelling, the rest will be formalities until the betetr teams pass on to the elimination stages.

I do join others in thinking Lyon, Benfica and Schalke should be the most interesting group simply because there are three teams there each capable of winning the group. No other group has that many contenders and only the Milan-Madrid group has a legitimate fight to see who should win the group.

I think A looks pretty competitive. Twente could give Bremen and Spurs some trouble too.

It's too bad that Ajax and Auxerre landed in such a hard group, I thought they were were two of the toughest teams in pots 3 and 4, but they can't expect to have much hope there.

Good points about Zenit. I couldn't believe how it went so wrong so quickly for them.

cheers,
hobbes

You may be right about Twente hobbes but with a new coach and many offseason changes I just do not see them being that strong this season. But Spurs and Werder Bremen should have a good fight between them to see who joins Inter in advancing. Group B is for me the most interesting one, for the reasons already given, it has 3 teams who you can legitimately say have an opportunity to win it.

Last year Rubin Kazan beat Barcelona at the Nou Camp, I think Rubin kazan and Panathinaikos could have a good battle for 2nd in that group.

When was the last time we saw a draw for a major competition with no group of death? On the face of things, the groups may not be compelling but it's interesting to see such a balanced draw. Perhaps that's a reflection of UEFA's (as opposed to FIFA's) ability to conduct a fair and transparent draw.

An interesting point shelsoccer. Either UEFA conducted a very open draw or the distance between the seeded teams and a few others, such as 2nd seeded Real Madrid, and the rest of the Champions League participants has grown.

Hopefully a few clubs perhaps like Braga, Shakhtar, Spartak Moscow or Panathinaikos can surprise us this season.

I am bitterly disappointed at Sevilla's elimination, the usually reliable goalkeeper Andres Palop had a disastrous night and now like Zenit, Sevilla have only the Europa League to look forward to. And it is even possible Sevilla may have to sell a player or two because of the loss of the expected Champions League income.

I don't agree with shel, which is unusual enough to deserve mention.

The Madrid, Milan, Ajax, Auxerre group is to me as difficult a group from top to bottom as the Champions League has seen in recent years.

I do agree that we are seeing a period marked by the development of a handful of "superclubs" who see anything less than reaching the semi-finals as failure, while the next tier of challengers is actually growing in size as "big" clubs fall behind their peers and formerly "smaller" clubs build competitve teams, often on the back of the financial windfall that the CL provides.

Group stage begins tonight and here is an article previewing the next two days games,

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=afp-fbleurc1

On paper the most interesting games today look to be
Werder Bremen-Tottenham
Lyon-Schalke

Wednesday's best games seem to be:

Bayern Munich-Roma
Real Madrid-Ajax
Auxerre-Milan

This is related to the discussion in the Bundesliga thread too about rising ticket prices,

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ro-notebook091410

Price gouging at its worst.

Pana shouldn't have gotten Barca mad by scoring first.

Very impressive performance by Los Che in Turkey.

Don't watch the Valencia injury for Man United if you've just eaten.

All the Tuesday scores:

Group A: FC Twente 2, Inter Milan 2; Werder Bremen 2, Tottenham 2.
Group B: Benfica 2, Hapoel Tel-Aviv 0; Olympique Lyon 1, Schalke 04 0.
Group C: Bursaspor 0, Valencia 4; Manchester United 0, Rangers 0.
Group D: Barcelona 5, Panathinaikos 1; FC Copenhagen 1, Ruben Kazan 0.

Aahhh! Back to work, as Inter begin its CL title defense with a decent draw in soggy Enschede, while Spurs coughed up a two-goal away lead and should be upset about it. Lyon wins at home as Michel Bastos scores the only goal and Lloris outplays Neuer in a matchup of World Cup keepers, but Benfica is the early group leader.

Valencia shows early promise with a huge road win in Turkey, while Man U had Rangers under the cosh for long stretches, but never broke through. Both teams had second-half penalty shouts, none louder than Giggs's when Edu fell on the ball in the area and handled it at least twice. (Otherwise the American looked pretty comfortable in the middle of Rangers's midfield.) I saw the Valencia injury but didn't really understand why other players were vigorously motioning for the trainers; there was no replay shown, so it must've been ugly.

As Ursos mentioned, Panathinaikos opened the scoring at the Camp Nou, but that lead didn't last long; Messi (two) and David Villa made it 3-1 at halftime and Pedro (nodding in the rebound after Messi hit both posts!) and Dani Alves added goals in the second half.

It was bloody awful, his ankle ended up facing backwards. That looked to me like he type of injury he'll struggle to ever come back from, and if he does I do wonder how a player so reliant on pace can reach the same level again. Very sad.

The United game was crap really. Yes, we had all of the ball against a very negative Rangers, but I can't think of anything we made their goalie do. We made ten changes to the team though, with a view to the far more important match with Liverpool at the weekend. But changes or no changes, it's still disappointing to have threatened so little in a home match. Put it this way, the player who emerges with most credit is Paul Scholes - who was left out to be rested for Liverpool!

Sad injury to Antonio Valencia. Hope he becomes like Henrik Larsson and makes a full recovery but that will be months away, if at all. Rangers just came to defend, they achieved their wish, a 0-0 tie, but for neutrals it was a real bore.

Hey Diego Milito finally scored this season! Unfortunately for Inter it was into his own net, for Twente's 2nd goal. I think that draw is a pretty good result for a rebuilding Twente. Inter, on the other hand, have really not yet played a decent game this season. It is still early but soon they will run out of patience there.

Sounds like Werder Bremen-Tottenham was a good match. Schalke are still winless in the new season.

Barcelona-Panathinaikos would have been a good basketball game but as a football match it was not much of a contest. The Greeks did score first as Govou got behind Abidal and Puyol after a long kick from the goalie was headed on in his direction. But after that it was all Barcelona as their passing and movement just ripped Panathinaikos apart. For this game Guardiola went with Busquets and let Mascherano sit out and the midfield passed the ball splendidly. Messi had a very good game even if he did miss a penalty and David Villa already looks comfortable in the team's forward line.

Great win for Valencia but they were against an inexperienced team who had stage fright. Substitute forward Tino Costa was instrumental in Valencia's win and now with Manchester United visiting mestalla in the next round, Valencia have an opportunity to open a gap at the top of their group. Beating Manchester United is never easy but valencia are well positioend after this convincing road win.

4 games played, 0 wins for Schalke in the new season.

Antonio Valencia has a fractured and dislocated ankle, his 2010-11 season sadly is over,

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=a...rangersvalencia

And it is highly unlikely he will be able to play Copa America next June so this is a loss to Ecuador as well as to Manchester United. Seems to me though that those players who have broken their ankle as he has, as compared to those who broke their fibula and tibia like Eduardo or Manuel Pablo, have been able to make more complete recoveries.

Nice header by Diego Milito for the own goal v Twente!

Tino Costa's long range goal for Valencia's opener is worth watching if you get the chance. Another long range shot of his, this time via free kick, went off the post and was headed in for Valencia's 2nd goal.

Chicharito Hernandez had a good attempt at a header narrowly go wide early in the game for Manchester United's best chance I think of the game. But after that he did not receive much service as United's midfield was AWOL. Sad to hear of the seriousness of Antonio Valencia's injury. Looked like his boot got caught in the soft turf as his momentum was going the other direction.

Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Villa really did put on a show at the Nou Camp. You figured they would take it out on somebody after their weekend league loss to Hercules. And it was Panathinaikos who got in their way and were steam rolled.

Tino Costa really does have a rocket for a left foot, good to see him getting an opportunity for playing time in this match. As well as he played, he should get more opportunities very soon in Valencia's midfield.

Manchester United are still the group favorite but to start off with a road win like that, as a Valencia fan you simply could not ask for more.

I know Schalke lost some defenders and Kuranyi from last season's team but they must not have gotten the memo that the new season has already started! They are playing like it is still preseason.

FC Copenhagen with a late goal to defeat Rubin Kazan. It is only week 1 of group play but this has not been a good Champions League for Russian clubs.

And Wednesday's scores...

Group E: Bayern Munich 2, AS Roma 0; Cluj 2, Basel 1.
Group F: Marseille 0, Spartak Moscow 1; MSK Zilina 1, Chelsea 4.
Group G: AC Milan 2, Auxerre 0; Real Madrid 2, Ajax 0.
Group H: Arsenal 6, Braga 0; Shakhtar Donetsk 1, Partizan Belgrade 0.

So Mourinho gets a good start in the CL thanks to an own goal and one by Higuain, while Ibrahimovic gives thanks for his Italian return with a brace at the San Siro. Bayern scored two late goals to hold back Roma, Marseille fell at home on a late own goal, and the EPL giants predictably romped--though Chelsea kind of sleepwalked through this one, giving up a goal on a comical defensive mixup, and if the Zilina attackers had taken their chances in the second half this could've been a lot closer.

I was content with Milan's win, but it did not begin well as Auxerre were discipliend ta the back and closed Milan down well. Milan's play picked up when Kevin Prince Boateng came on for the injured Ambrosini and added more liveliness to the midfield. Ibrahimovic was very static in the 1st half but moved more in the 2nd and was on hand to knock in two goals.

It is going to take another few weeks to a month to get Ibra and Robinho integrate dinto the team plus hae everybody understanding Allegri's desired way to play but a win in this game was a must so Milan have begun the CL the right way.

Higuain was dangerous for Real Madrid against an Ajax team who without Luis Suarez looked pretty punchless.

Big road win for Spartak Moscow at Marseille in a game betwene the two clubs likely fighting for 2nd place behind Chelsea in that group. After other Russian clubs struggled the past month in Europe, I am sure that was a very welcome result for Russian fans.

From what i read Roma played like Rangers did yesterdya, putting almost everyone behind the ball but Bayern's persistance eventually paid off. I guess it should not surprise us that thomas Mueller found a way to score one of their goals.

Mesut Ozil is really winning over the fans at the Bernabeu with his dynamic play. I liked how he combined with Ronaldo, Higuain and DiMaria. Ajax defended pretty well but it was just a matter of time before Madrid would score. I concur with Yogi, without Suarez Ajax looked very punchless. Madrid are still learning how to play together and the way Mourinho wants but this was a good step forward, unquestionably the best Madrid have played this early in the season

After the way Arsenal destroyed Braga, I wonder how Sevilla feel now? Cesc Fabregas was apparently very instrumental in the Gunners win.

Ibra static? Who could have guessed that? ;)

Roma did play very defensively and did well in frustrating Bayern but as noted, it was Thomas Mueller with a bit of inspiration to win the match. After his World Cup breakout, Mueller no longer is a complimentary player, he has become an integral part of Bayern's attack.

Tuesday's scores:

Group E
AS Roma 2 - 1 CFR Cluj
Basel 1 - 2 Bayern Munich

Group F
Spartak Moscow 3 - 0 Zilina
Chelsea 2 - 0 Marseille

Group G
Ajax Amsterdam 1 - 1 AC Milan
Auxerre 0 - 1 Real Madrid

Group H
Braga 0 - 3 Shakhtar Donetsk
Partizan Belgrade 1 - 3 Arsenal


Roma and Real Madrid struggled for a big portion of their games before finally winning. Roma's 2 goals from Mexes and Boriello happened within 2 minutes of one another midway through the 2nd half. Misfiring Real Madrid had to wait until the 81st minute before sub Angel DiMaria chested down a pass and scored to beat Auxerre 1-0 in France.

Schweinsteiger scored twice, once a penalty and the other in minute 89 as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Basel 2-1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic made a good return to Amsterdam scoring the tying goal in Ajax and Milan's 1-1 draw. Spartak Moscow and Shakhtar Donetsk each got goals from their Brazilian players in 3-0 wins, Spartak at home vs Zilina, Shakhtar away to Braga. Arsenal took advantage of Partizan being a man down and scored 2 second half goals to defeat Partizan 3-1 in Serbia in a game where each club missed a penalty. While Chelsea scored 2 gaols in the first half hour and cruised to a 2-0 home win over Marseille.

I am satisfied with Milan's 1-1 draw at Ajax. that looks to be the main rival to Madrid and Milan for a top two finish and playing at home Ajax put Milan under some pressure. Suarez was a real danger and he set up El Hamdaoui for Ajax's goal. but as manzanares noted, Ibrahimovic came through and score don his old club to give Milan aneeded away point. Ronaldinho was out and in his place Robinho had a decent enough game although he missed his share of scoring opportunities.

I also saw some of Arsenal's 3-1 away win in Belgrade. Looked to be a pretty even game until a Partizan defeder was sent off for a foul breaking up a scoring chance. Arshavin missed the resulting PK but eventually Chamakh knocked in a rebound of his own header then Squillaci nodded in a corner for the victory margin. Partizan passed the ball pretty well but lacked sharpness in front of goal altough they still hae a chance in the group if Arsenal can beat up on Shakhtar. That however may be easier said than done as Shakhtar look pretty potent.

Mourinho used 3 defensive midfielders (Khedira, Xabi Alonso and Lass Diarra) with 3 forwards Ronaldo, Higuain and Benzema but that attack was incapable of creating much danger. May be the last we see of that for some time. Once Ozil and DiMaria entered for Benzema and L. Diarra, the team functioned better and scored. Yet they still did not really impress against a team currently in 17th place in Ligue 1. In other words Mourinho still has a lot of work to do.

Ajax put Milan under alot of pressure but could not get more than that one goal. Once Milan equalised through Ibrahimovic, the game evened up much more and a tie was I thought a fair result. Ibra seems to be finding himself again now that he is back in Italy. Ajax will need to beat up on the coming home and away game svs Auxerre while hoping one of Madrid or Milan can dominate the other in their two upcoming games. otherwise it looks like Madrid and Milan will advance and Ajax will be fighting Auxerre for 3rd.

Ibra really has been saving Milan in this opening month of the season. Hard to imagine Luis Suarez will stay beyond this season at Ajax. I would not be surprised to see an Italian club make a move for him. He gave Milan's defense fits.

Good win for Chelsea over Marseille even though they played without either Drogba or Lampard. Marseille possessed the ball well but did not have much bite up top. I continue to be amazed that Gignac made France's World Cup team. Then again Domenech was in charge!

My thoughts too raconteur. Gignac was I think a one season wonder. I do not see him beng a big contributor this season at OM. But the club does need a goalsocrer now that Niang has left. Remy and Brandao are more 2nd forwards, Gignac is their one centre forward. With Spartak already winning at Marseille, OM are going to need some help and their own hot streak to have any chance to make the 2nd round.

That midfield defensive trident should be put to rest by Mourinho. There is just no creativity with that lineup and it leaves Ronaldo and Higuain, who already are very individualistic, to try and do even more on their own.

Madrid have not impressed yet this seaosn with the possible exception being that Ajax match a few weeks ago but the bottom line is they are still winning. You would expect Mourinho will get the team playing together better in the coming weeks and months and that is something all madridistas should look forward to.

Ajax put Milan under alot of pressure but could not get more than that one goal. Once Milan equalised through Ibrahimovic, the game evened up much more and a tie was I thought a fair result. Ibra seems to be finding himself again now that he is back in Italy. Ajax will need to beat up on the coming home and away games vs Auxerre while hoping one of Madrid or Milan can dominate the other in their two upcoming games. otherwise it looks like Madrid and Milan will advance and Ajax will be fighting Auxerre for 3rd.

Ajax did lose agood opportunity by only drawing at home vs milan. But Don balon is right they still have a chance in this group but will likely need one of Madrid or Milan to beat the other home and away or at least take 4 out of the 6 points from the other team while Ajax will need to defeat Auxerre in both of their upcoming games. It is possible but unlikely and that is why yesterday's draw could prove costly for Ajax.

I noticed that Spartak Moscow are coached by Valeri Karpin. A fine player and it is good to see him experiencing some coaching success. No surprise that he is building a good passing team with Spartak.

Ibrahimovic has been the center forward Milan have needed. I did not really expect him to adapt so quickly. Not sure if his previous experience in Italy has helped him or not as this is a different club but with first Pato and now Ronaldinho hurt, I am not sure where Milan would be without Ibrahimovic's goals.

Some potentially good games today; Inter-Werder Bremen, Schalke-Benfica, Valencia-Manchester United and Rubin Kazan-Barcelona.

I'm off tonight to the Valencia - Manchester United match, so will attempt to post some kind of thoughts on it tomorrow. Weird atmosphere in Valencia centre today, with people on strike with their trade union banners and flags (there's a general strike in Spain today) and football fans (a lot of beer being drunk!) taking over the streets and pavements.