Champions League round-up: City face another group stage exit
City face another group stage exit dilemma as champions league group stage round 3 ends.
Group A
Dinamo Zagreb lost yet another match and are yet to score a goal in the tournament as they lost by 2 goals to big money spenders Paris Saint Germain. Zlatan Ibrahimovic took the lead for PSG in the 33rd minute and Menez scored another 10 minutes later. PSG are now second in the group with 6 points and Zargeb are last with no points and possibly facing the exit door.In the second match of the group FC Porto hosted Dynamo Kyiv. Porto took the lead twice through Varela and Martinez but Kyiv equalized through Gustev and Isdeye. Martinez then scored the winner ih the 78th minute. Porto are the group toppers with a cent percent win record. Kyiv are third with one win.
Group B
The biggest match of the group was played between Arsenal and Schalke. Arsenal failed to capitalize on their home advantage and lost by a 2 goal margin. Goal machine Huntelaar scored in the 76th minute and the Affelay on loan from Barcelona scored another in the 86th minute to secure the win. Schalke now lead the group with 7 points closely followed by Arsenal on 6 points.In the other match French champions Montpellier played Olympiacos. The home side went ahead in the 49th minute but gave the lead by conceding one in the 73rd and another late into the match in injury time. Olympiacos are now third with 3 points and Montpellier are last with a draw against Schalke.
Group C
Zenit got their first win and point by defeating Anderlecht at home. Kerzhakov scored the winner and the only goal of the match in the 72nd minute from the spot. Zenit have 3 points and are third while Anderlecht are last with 1 point.Malaga hosted 5 time champions Milan in the other fixture. Joaquin missed one from the spot in the first half but scored the winner in the 64th minute. Malaga are table toppers and are yet to concede a goal. Milan are second with 4 points.
Group D
Nine time champions Real Madrid traveled to Germany to play Dortmund. Dortmund drew first blood after Robert Lewandowski made Madrid pay after Pepe made a defensive error. Dortmund would have took the lead earlier if it wasn’t for Superman Casillas. Dortmund’s lead lasted only 2 minutes after Christiano Ronaldo scored a brilliant first touch volleyed goal over the advancing keeper. Dortmund broke the stale mate in the 64th minute through Schmelzer. Madrid’s injury worries heightened after Sami Kedhira walked off the pitch in the 22nd minute. He had a bad return to home land. Madrid were playing Essien at left back and Ramos on the right with Varane pairing up with Pepe. Dortmund lead the group with 7 points and Madrid follow closely with 6.In the other match in the group of champions. Ajax Amsterdam dented Manchester City’s hope of reaching the knockout stages even more. City took the lead in the 22nd minute through Samir Nasri despite Ajax dominating possession and the match. Ajax equalized in the first half through De Jong. Ajax continued to play good football and deservably went ahead in the 57th minute through Moisander. Danish international Christian Eriksen then hammered the last nail in City’s coffin as he scored the third. Ajax are now third in the group with 3 points and City last with 1.City cannot afford to drop anymore points if they are to reach the next round. They would need a miracle and other matches in the group to go their way if anything is to happen. City have not played like English champions so far this season and have already been knocked out of the Capital One Cup.
Tags: Arsenal, Champions League, Dinamo Zagreb, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Schalke
