Selasa, 24 November 2009

Champions League round-up - wins for Barca & Fiorentina

Juan Vargas celebrates scoring a penalty against Lyon
Vargas (left) was one of Fiorentina's stand-out performers

Fiorentina endured a frantic final five minutes as they held on for a 1-0 victory over Lyon, confirming Liverpool's exit from the Champions League.

BBC Sport rounds up all the action from across Europe in the fifth round of group games.

GROUP E

Fiorentina moved to the top of Group E following a tense win over French side Lyon.

The Italian club - without Romania striker Adrian Mutu - made the more convincing start, twice striking the upright in the space of 30 seconds through Mario Santana and Alberto Gilardino.

But the Viola took the lead when Peruvian Juan Vargas slotted in a 28th-minute penalty after Marco Marchionni was brought down by Aly Cissokho.

Lyon fought back admirably in the second half as Miralem Pjanic threatened Sebastian Frey's goal with a series of long-range strikes.

And the France international goalkeeper ensured Fiorentina took all three points by denying Jean Makoun and substitute Lissandro in the dying seconds.

The victory sealed Liverpool's exit from the competition, despite a 1-0 win over Debrecen in Budapest.

GROUP F

Barcelona moved two points clear at the top of Group F following a commanding 2-0 victory over Inter Milan.

Despite the absence of star forwards Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Spanish champions took the lead on 10 minutes through defender Gerard Pique.

And Pedro Rodriguez doubled the lead in the 26th minute as a below-par Inter failed to match their opponent's creativity.

Russian champions Rubin Kazan missed an excellent opportunity to move into an automatic qualifying spot following a 0-0 draw at home against bottom side Dynamo Kiev.

GROUP H

Unirea Urziceni enhanced their hopes of a first-ever appearance in the last 16 following a 1-0 win over group leaders Sevilla.

Defender Ivica Dragutinovic headed the ball past his own keeper Javi Varas on the stroke of half time.

Unirea have a two-point lead over Stuttgart, who confirmed Rangers' exit from the competition following a 2-0 victory in Glasgow.

Teenager Sebastian Rudy opened the scoring in the 16th minute before Zdravko Kuzmanovic's second-half strike sealed the three points.

GROUP H

Arsenal maintained their unbeaten run in the Champions League following a 2-0 win over Standard Liege at the Emirates Stadium.

First-half goals from Samir Nasri and Denilson secured Arsene Wenger's side the three points, although Liege struck the upright on two occasions.

Olympiakos missed out on the opportunity to seal their place in the last 16 after a 0-0 draw against bottom side AZ Alkmaar.

The Greek side need a point to guarantee their place in their final match of the group campaign against Liege.

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