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Juventus' path to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages is not helped by Atletico Madrid's early setback, insists Stephan Lichtsteiner.
Juve got their European campaign off to a solid start by beating Malmo 2-0 at Juventus stadium, but Group A rivals and last season's finalists Atletico Madrid stumbled to a 3-2 defeat at Olympiacos.
But Switzerland international Lichtsteiner dismissed any notion that Atletico's defeat put Juve in the box seat for top spot, highlighting their need to visit Piraeus as well as the Vicente Calderon.
He said: "Olympiacos' victory doesn't change anything on paper for us.
"There are tough games ahead for the team, especially the ones in Spain and Greece where the atmosphere will be red-hot.
"Let's play the matches and then we'll see."
Carlos Tevez's double secured the win for Juve - the Argentinian scoring his first goals in European football for almost five and a half years in the process.
Roma: De Sanctis; Maicon, Manolas, Astori, Cole; Pjanić, Keita, Nainggolan; Iturbe, Totti, Gervinho.
• Out: Daniele De Rossi (suspended), Kevin Strootman (knee), Leandro Castán (earache)
CSKA: Akinfeev; Mário Fernandes, V Berezutski, Ignashevich, Nababkin; Tošić, Natcho, Eremenko, Milanov; Panchenko, Musa.
• Out: Alan Dzagoev (suspended), Pontus Wernbloom (suspended), Rasmus Elm (stomach), Georgi Schennikov (ankle), Vitinho (ankle)
FC Bayern München v Manchester City FC
Championship Review: Magath in the mire after Assombalonga hat-trick
17 September 2014
A Britt Assombalonga hat-trick helped Nottingham Forest beat Championship strugglers Fulham 5-3 to pile even more pressure on Felix Magath.
Fulham sit bottom of the table after seven matches, with their only point coming against Cardiff City last month and Magath's future is at the centre of speculation after defeat at the City Ground.
Victory for Forest sends Stuart Pearce's side back above Norwich City to the top of the table, but it required a dogged display.
Assombalonga, a club-record signing at £5.5 million, fired Forest into a two-goal lead by the 21st minute as he headed in a Henri Lansbury free-kick before converting a controversial penalty following an apparent foul on Michail Antonio.
Back came Fulham, though, and with 25 minutes to go the visitors somehow found themselves clinging on to a 3-2 lead.
Ross McCormack's 25-yard free-kick gave Fulham a lifeline in the 31st minute and Hugo Rodallega equalised from close range just after the break.
McCormack doubled his tally in the 65th minute thanks to a deflection, but Magath's men failed to shore up at the back.
Antonio equalised 13 minutes from the end before Assombalonga got his third and edged Forest ahead again a couple of minutes later.
Jamie Paterson, a second-half substitute, raced clear to wrap up the win for Forest, leaving Magath's future looking increasingly uncertain.
Derby County held off Blackburn Rovers to secure a 3-2 win at Ewood Park, extending their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.
Although it did not start well for the visitors as Ben Marshall gave Blackburn the lead inside the first minute, Derby eventually surged 3-1 ahead.
Jamie Ward tapped in at the back post in the ninth minute to level things and Will Hughes added a second towards the end of the first half, curling a fine effort in from 20 yards.
Ward netted again in the 58th minute with a good left-footed finish following a driving run and, although Rudy Gestede poked in for Blackburn towards the end, Derby held on for all three points.
Ajax 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain: Schone rescues point for Dutch giants
Sep 17, 2014 21:33:00
The Denmark international's free kick goal ensured his side avoided defeat against Laurent Blanc's men in the Amsterdam ArenA
A Lasse Schone free-kick denied Paris Saint-Germain victory in their Champions League opener as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ajax.
Having reached the quarter-finals in each of the last two seasons, Laurent Blanc's side headed into this year's competition eager to prove themselves a powerhouse of European football.
Wednesday's game gave the Ligue 1 champions a chance to put pressure on group favourites Barcelona from the beginning but they passed up the opportunity as Schone rescued a point for the Dutch side.
Edinson Cavani gave PSG the lead in the first half of a fixture that saw his strike partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic return to the club with whom he made a name for himself.
The visitors had an array of chances to make the game safe but paid the penalty for failing to net for a second time as Denmark midfielder Schone found the top corner to secure a point and delight the home fans at the Amsterdam ArenA.
PSG dictated possession in the early stages and were rewarded in the 14th minute when Cavani opened the scoring with the first real chance of the game.
The Uruguay international slotted into an empty net on the rebound from Ibrahimovic's blocked effort after Ajax full-back Nicolai Boilesen had conceded possession to Lucas Moura.
Blanc's men continued to apply pressure on the Ajax goal, but were unable to craft any further openings as the home defence performed with admirable solidity.
All of Ajax's good work at the back was almost undone straight after the interval when Niklas Moisander squandered the ball immediately from the second-half kick-off, but Lucas fired wide with only goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen to beat.
Frank de Boer's team came close to capitalising on Lucas' profligacy in the 49th minute, substitute Niki Zimling shooting over the crossbar from long range before Ibrahimovic reminded Ajax of the visitors' considerable threat by narrowly missing the target at the end of a free-flowing move.
Lucas continued to be at the forefront of PSG's forays forward and would have found the goal his performance perhaps merited if not for Cillessen. The Netherlands goalkeeper produced a diving save to tip the shot round the post after the Brazilian had been played through by a superb ball from Ibrahimovic.
Cillessen was then called into action again to deny former Ajax man Gregory van der Wiel at his near post as PSG continued to spurn chances, with Marquinhos the next to miss as he headed off target.
And PSG's lack of composure in front of goal was finally punished in the 74th minute, Schone curling beyond Salvatore Sirigu, who could not keep the ball out despite getting a hand to the shot.
Schone then almost completed an unlikely turnaround three minutes later with a low drive from a set-piece that forced Sirigu to turn the ball onto the woodwork.
Blanc's side pushed forward again to try and steal the three points, but Ajax stood firm to hold on for a draw that should give them hope of competing in a pool that also contains Barcelona and APOEL.
Barcelona 1-0 APOEL: Pique heads hosts to unconvincing victory
Sep 17, 2014 21:35:00
The centre-back proved to be the difference as Luis Enrique's first European game in charge of the Catalan club ended with a win
Gerard Pique headed in the only goal of the game as Barcelona opened their Champions League campaign with a low-key 1-0 victory over APOEL on Wednesday.
Pique nodded home in the 28th minute to help Barca - and their new head coach Luis Enrique - kick off their Group F campaign with maximum points, although the determined Cypriot side offered a sterner test than many had predicted.
The Spanish giants' triumph ultimately continued a 100 per cent start to the tenure of Enrique, who took the reins following Gerardo Martino's ill-fated campaign at the helm in 2013-14.
Having managed to once again align a defensive nous with the kind of possessional dominance that was the hallmark of the Pep Guardiola years, Barcelona are beginning to look imposing.
Unsurprisingly, they had too much for APOEL, with Barca's excellent defence - who have yet to concede this term - yielding only a single shot on target as Luis Enrique's men followed up La Liga wins over Elche, Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao.
Any thoughts that the new coach might take APOEL lightly were soon put to rest as Lionel Messi, Neymar and Munir El Haddadi started together up front.
Messi was on hand immediately to illustrate his threat, forcing goalkeeper Urko Pardo into a solid save with a dipping free kick.
That set the early tone as Barcelona controlled possession, with Xavi - who has become more of a bit-part player under Enrique - at the centre of their good work.
Their impressive build-up play did not glean too many chances, although Neymar did curl a shot just wide midway through the opening period.
However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 28th minute, Pique finding space in the area to nod Messi's pin-point free-kick into the corner.
There was little sign of an APOEL response, with Barca quickly settling back into a methodical passing rhythm.
And the Spanish giants should have gone two up in the 40th minute when Messi uncharacteristically hit straight at Pardo following Neymar's pull back.
Picking up where they had left off, Barcelona pressed forward further at the start of the second period.
But the visitors continued to defend impressively in numbers, with Luis Enrique's side struggling to find a way through their rearguard.
APOEL managed to offer the odd moment of alarm for the hosts, too, even if their final ball left plenty to be desired.
The Spaniards brought Andres Iniesta on for his long-time partner in midfield Xavi, yet even his introduction could not bring a second.
Barca were again denied just before the 90-minute mark, substitute Sandro shooting narrowly wide from just outside the area.
That seemed set to be the catalyst for a thrilling finale as Messi saw an effort cleared off the line by Mario Sergio before, at the other end, Marc-Andre ter Stegen was forced into his first save in the dying moments.
The goalkeeper reacted smartly to turn away Gustavo Manduca's effort and snuff out hopes of a famous draw for the visitors.
Maribor 1-1 Sporting: Nani goal ruled out by late Zahovic strike
Sep 17, 2014 21:35:00
The Slovenians held off the Portuguese club for most of the match until the visitors struck with 10 minutes from time, but the hosts had the last laugh with a stoppage-time effort
Sporting were left stunned when a stoppage-time equaliser from Maribor's Luka Zahovic ruled out a late Nani strike to end their Champions League clash 1-1 on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old Portugal-born forward and son of ex-Porto and Benfica attacking midfielder Zlatko Zahovic salvaged the Slovenians a point in dramatic circumstances at Stadion Ljudski vrt after Nani appeared to have given Sporting an opening Group G win.
Sporting had themselves not appeared in the group phase since 2008-09, although the Primeira Liga side looked far more settled from the start, with Andre Carrillo striking the crossbar in the 26th minute.
Maribor eventually came to life towards the end of the first period and Aleksander Rajcevic hit the post with a powerful header.
But it was in the final 10 minutes that the tempo was finally increased as on-loan Manchester United man Nani broke the deadlock, only for substitute Zahovic to arrive off the bench to level matters in the third minute of stoppage time.
Sporting coach Marco Silva had attempted to play down the favourites' tag in the build-up, although his side soon found their rhythm as they dominated possession during the early stages.
The first chance of the game fell to the hosts, though, as forward Agim Ibraimi raced past Mouhamadou Naby Sarr and forced Rui Patricio to parry a stinging effort around the post with nine minutes gone.
Sporting responded as an attacking force 10 minutes later when Jefferson's curling free-kick towards the near post from the right flank had Jasmin Handanovic scrambling across his goal.
Nani then skewed a shot just wide a few moments later.
The visitors should have taken the lead through Carrillo in the 26th minute. The Peruvian linked up excellently with Islam Slimani on the edge of the area following a darting run inside, but he first fired straight at Handanovic when one-on-one and then struck the crossbar after collecting the rebound.
Maribor grew into the game at the end of the first half and, after spurning a couple of half-chances, Rajcevic nodded Dare Vrsic's free kick delivery on to Rui Patricio's right-hand post.
Sporting started the second half with renewed focus and they almost broke the deadlock in the 47th minute when Slimani's header from a Nani cross was knocked wide by Handanovic.
At the other end, Marcos Tavares – Maribor's play-off hero against Celtic with the goal that sent them through – went close twice.
The Brazilian saw an initial effort drop just wide of the post following a deflection off Cedric and then, just after the hour mark, his 20-yard attempt narrowly missed the target.
Nani, meanwhile, drew Handanovic into a smart stop in the 64th minute. But the on-loan winger was not to be denied in the 80th minute, as he jinked onto his left foot after cutting in from the right flank and sent a low effort into the bottom-left corner from 20 yards.
Sporting almost added a second following a goalmouth scramble but Maribor escaped and responded in the best possible fashion, with teenager Zahovic - an 82nd-minute substitute - arriving in the right place at the right time to head his sixth goal of the season after Mauricio had missed his clearance.
Chelsea 1-1 Schalke: Fabregas strike not enough for below-par Blues
Sep 17, 2014 21:35:00
The Spaniard had given the hosts the lead although Klaas-Jan Huntelaar struck past Thibaut Courtois in the second half to secure a point for the Bundesliga outfit
Chelsea laboured to a 1-1 draw against Schalke in their Champions League Group G opener as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar cancelled out Cesc Fabregas' early strike.
Didier Drogba, Eden Hazard and Loic Remy were all guilty of wasting presentable chances in the second half as Huntelaar slotted home past Thibaut Courtois to claim a surprise point for the visitors.
Jose Mourinho's side prevailed 3-0 against the same opponents both at home and away in the 2013-14 competition and went into Wednesday's Group G clash in great heart after four straight Premier League wins.
Chelsea gave in-form striker Costa a well-earned break on the bench and turned to 2012 Champions League final hero Drogba to lead the line, with Filipe Luis handed his first start and Ramires and Willian back in the side.
Schalke brought back key players such as Julian Draxler and Huntelaar from Saturday's 4-1 Bundesliga loss at Borussia Monchengladbach, but captain Benedikt Howedes was one of seven players to miss out through injury.
Ramires fluffed an early chance as his shot trickled into the hands of Ralf Fahrmann, but Fabregas made no mistake when set up by Hazard after 10 minutes, although the Spaniard was fortunate not to be pulled up for a foul on Max Meyer in the build-up.
The home team continued to enjoy plenty of possession, Hazard was a constant threat whenever on the ball and Drogba got a header on target from a superb Filipe Luis cross.
Fabregas missed a glorious opportunity to double the lead on 35 minutes when blasting over the bar after Branislav Ivanovic had cut the ball back into his path from the byline.
Kevin-Prince Boateng did manage to test Thibaut Courtois with a sweetly-struck long-range strike and Draxler dragged a shot just wide after a strong run into the box prior to half-time.
Drogba failed to connect with a fiercely-hit Willian cross early in the second period and Ivanovic forced Fahrmann into a solid save before John Terry, on his 600th start, was booked for a late challenge on Draxler.
And Drogba then screwed another clear-cut chance just wide before Huntelaar showed him how it should be done when he dispossessed Fabregas in his own half, raced upfield to receive the ball from Draxler and cut in from the left before firing low past Courtois on 62 minutes.
Oscar replaced Ramires on 66 minutes as Mourinho tried to add more creative flair, while Costa and Remy came on seven minutes later. And it was the France striker who almost made an immediate impact when his shot was headed off the line by Roman Neustadter.
Hazard fired just over and then just failed to connect properly with a great pass from Fabregas, but Schalke held out for a point.
The 24-year-old scored three goals for his side while Jackson Martinez, Adrian and Vincent Aboubakar were also on target as the Portuguese giants picked up an easy three points
A scintillating Yacine Brahimi hat-trick propelled Porto to a 6-0 win over BATE in their Champions League Group H opener on Wednesday.
The 27-time Portuguese champions claimed just one home point from a possible nine before failing to reach the knockout stages in last season's competition, but an early opener and a superb second from the Algeria winger put them firmly in control at the Estadio do Dragao.
Jackson Martinez, with his 67th goal on his 101st Porto appearance, made it 3-0 with a bullet header before the break and Brahimi completed his treble when he curled home a brilliant free-kick before going off to a standing ovation after 59 minutes.
Adrian Lopez and Vincent Aboubakar scored their first goals since joining from Atletico Madrid and Lorient respectively, ensuring that Porto comfortably recorded their biggest Champions League victory in what was their 200th appearance in Europe's elite club competition.
Julen Lopetegui's side have now also kept clean sheets in six of their past seven outings in all competitions.
Lopetegui urged his Porto players to get an early goal in the build-up to the game, and it took Brahimi merely five minutes to do precisely that.
BATE goalkeeper Sergei Chernik inexplicably threw the ball out to the Algeria player, who burst into the box and thundered it into the roof of the net from an acute angle.
With Ricardo Quaresma producing a couple of crowd-pleasing flicks and Brahimi looking dangerous every time he received possession, Porto appeared in complete control.
But the home side nevertheless required the alertness and bravery of goalkeeper Fabiano to stay in front after 11 minutes.
Vitali Rodionov arched a fine pass behind the Porto defence for Mikhail Gordeychuk to run on to, but Fabiano rushed from his line, flung himself at the feet of the Belarus midfielder and gathered the ball.
Martinez then volleyed the ball against the outside of the post before Chernik made a great save from a Maicon header following a superb left-wing cross from Alex Sandro.
Brahimi made it 2-0 just after the half-hour mark – and in electrifying fashion.
The 24-year-old, signed from Granada for just a €6.5million after he impressed at the World Cup, collected possession in his own half, sprinted past one challenge to the edge of the box, cut inside another and unleashed a fierce, low drive that went in off the inside of the post.
It got worse for BATE eight minutes before half-time. A defensive mistake allowed Danilo time and space down the right and, from the 23-year-old's excellent cross, Martinez got in front of his man and powerfully headed home.
Illya Aleksiyevich tested Fabiano at the start of the second half, but it was merely brief respite from incessant Porto pressure.
Quaresma hypnotised his marker with step-overs and produced a brilliant cross from the right. Martinez once again had the desire and strength to beat his man to the ball, only to see his thumping header come back off the crossbar.
Brahimi then darted through the midfield and drew a free-kick on the edge of the box. The former Rennes and Granada player took it himself, curling the ball over the wall and inside the post after 57 minutes.
It was 5-0 four minutes later, Lopez pouncing on a loose ball in the area and flicking it over the onrushing Chernik.
And Aboubakar, unmarked in the box, completed the rout after 76 minutes.
Roma 5-1 CSKA Moscow: Gervinho ruthlessly guts Russians
Sep 17, 2014 21:37:00
A flurry of first-half goals left the visitors decimated and there was no way back in the second half, which was more of an even-sided affair
Roma returned to the Champions League in superb style with an emphatic 5-1 win over CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.
Juan Iturbe, Gervinho and Francesco Totti had all been named among the substitutes for Sunday's 1-0 Serie A win at Empoli, but two of them found the net in a dominant Group E display at the Stadio Olimpico.
Iturbe broke the deadlock after being sent through on goal by Gervinho, before the former Arsenal man got his name on the scoresheet four minutes later.
Maicon's third will have goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev wincing when he watches the highlights, and Gervinho doubled his tally before the break after being picked out on the right wing by Totti.
A dismal performance got worse for CSKA five minutes into the second half when Sergei Ignashevich put the ball into his own net and, although Ahmed Musa bundled home later on, the damage had long since been done.
The result represents Roma's biggest-ever win in the competition as they made a statement of intent.
Garcia's men looked dangerous from the first whistle and took the lead in the sixth minute.
Gervinho was the architect, slicing the CSKA defence open with an incisive through ball that left Iturbe to simply prod beyond Akinfeev.
The roles were reversed four minutes later, when Gervinho collected an Iturbe pass in the centre of the penalty area and composed himself before doubling the hosts' advantage with a poked effort.
Seydou Doumbia surged forward in the 16th minute as CSKA sought to reduce the deficit, but the Cote d'Ivoire international inexplicably tripped while bearing down on goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis.
Maicon added a third in the 20th minute, when he found himself in acres of space on the right and moved into the penalty area before powering home through the weak hands of Akinfeev – evoking memories of a similar howler by the goalkeeper for Russia at this year's World Cup.
There was some concern for Roma when Iturbe limped off in the 25th minute, but Gervinho soon brought the smiles back to the faces of the home fans by once again exposing the dreadful visiting defence – deceiving Ignashevich with a neat pull-back and then firing in a left-footed effort.
Miralem Pjanic could have made it five before the break, but his shot was met with an excellent one-handed save by Akinfeev.
There was no let-up from Roma at the beginning of the second half, and Ignashevich headed into his own net from a Pjanic cross to pile on the misery after 50 minutes.
Doumbia shot into the side-netting and hit the crossbar in quick succession in a vain attempt to produce an unlikely fightback, before play was stopped temporarily as flares were thrown from the stands.
Musa's solitary late strike - a chip over De Sanctis - will have done nothing to lift the spirits of the travelling fans and although Georgi Schennikov also hit the crossbar, the Russian outfit were outclassed and will be eager to put their Roman rout behind them.
Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Shakhtar Donetsk: Basques settle for point in Champions League return
Sep 17, 2014 21:38:00
Ernesto Valverde's team failed to break down the Ukrainian side and were forced to settle for a point in San Mames
Athletic Bilbao were frustrated by Shakhtar Donetsk as the sides played out a 0-0 draw in their Champions League opener.
Athletic lost on just two occasions at San Mames in La Liga last season and enjoyed plenty of the ball in Wednesday's Group H encounter, but their lack of cutting edge in the final third allowed Shakhtar to claim a valuable away point.
Ukrainian champions Shakhtar, who were lively on the break, have won all six of their domestic matches this season and they could have led at half-time had Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz not made a well-timed intervention from Darijo Srna's cross to deny Alex Teixeira an easy tap in.
The hosts' best sight of goal in the opening period came from Ibai Gomez, who showed quick thinking from a long-distance free-kick that went just wide.
The match was a frantic end-to-end affair after the break, with Shakhtar's lightning pace on the counter causing Athletic trouble.
Shakhtar's Douglas Costa brought the best out of Iraizoz with around 20 minutes to go, but the game finished goalless.
Athletic settled well and created the first opportunity in the third minute when Oscar de Marcos found space on the right before picking out Mikel Rico in the penalty area, only for the midfielder to fire wide.
Shakhtar too looked dangerous in an open start to the match and Taras Stepanenko tested Iraizoz with a low 20-yard drive from the left.
And Iraizoz was called into action again in the 17th minute.
With Athletic captain Carlos Gurpegui off the pitch following a heavy collision with Marcio Azevedo, Srna provided an excellent low cross into the area, forcing Iraizoz to parry to safety with Teixeira lurking.
Shortly before the half-hour mark, Athletic's Gomez almost caught Shakhtar off guard with an audacious free-kick wide on the right that curled into the side netting.
Athletic then had a penalty shout shortly before half-time when Yaroslav Rakitskiy nudged Aritz Aduriz to ground in the area, but referee Anastasios Sidiropoulos was unmoved.
The hosts' midfield controlled possession at the start of the second half, but the best they could muster on goal was Aymeric Laporte's tame effort that was easily held by Andriy Pyatov.
As the half wore on, Shakhtar looked arguably the more likely to score, Laporte making one particularly crucial block to deny Teixeira.
Iraizoz produced a fine stop from the lively Douglas Costa in the 68th minute, cutting onto to his left-foot before fizzing a 20-yard shot that the keeper turned away low to his right.
Shakhtar did have the ball in the net soon after when Oleksandr Kucher's header was tapped home by Teixeira, but the whistle had long since gone for offside.
The visitors appeared to tire as the match neared a conclusion and Athletic dominated the final 15 minutes.
Again, though, Ernesto Valverde's side were left wanting in the final third, as Markel Susaeta came closest by stinging the palms of Pyatov from the edge of the box in injury-time.
Bayern Munich 1-0 Manchester City: Boateng breaks Hart's resistance
Sep 17, 2014 21:38:00
The England goalkeeper was finally beaten late on having kept out Pep Guardiola's side for the majority of the 90 minutes as City suffered defeat in their group stage opener
Jerome Boateng scored a dramatic late winner as Bayern Munich kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Manchester City.
City goalkeeper Joe Hart frustrated the Bundesliga champions for long periods of the Group E opener at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, as Bayern looked set to start the group stages with a draw.
Thomas Muller ought to have put the Bavarian giants in front inside a minute when he rounded Hart but could only fire wide when he finally got his shot away.
Manuel Pellegrini could only watch on from the stands as he served a touchline ban, with his assistant Ruben Cousillas taking charge on the sidelines, and he must have had his head in his hands as former City defender Boateng's half-volley deflected past Hart at the death.
Mehdi Benatia was handed his Bayern debut, while fellow defender Rafinha made his first appearance of the season after recovering from an ankle injury.
Arjen Robben was only deemed fit enough to start on the bench after recovering from a knee problem.
Edin Dzeko, Yaya Toure, and Samir Nasri all returned to the City starting line-up as Sergio Aguero, Frank Lampard and James Milner dropped to the bench, while Bacary Sagna replaced the suspended Pablo Zabaleta.
Guardiola stressed the importance of Bayern starting their European campaign with a win to set the tone for the group and they should have been in front with less than a minute gone.
City were given a let-off when Mario Gotze burst forward and laid the ball off to Robert Lewandowski, whose deft flick put Muller through but the Germany forward could only shoot into the side-netting with the goal gaping after skipping around Hart.
The visitors failed to heed the warning and were indebted to a fine reflex save from Hart to keep out Muller's powerful header after he rose to meet Juan Bernat's inviting cross, before the City keeper got down well to palm away Gotze's deflected strike.
The game was being played at a frantic pace and Dzeko almost put City in front 22 minutes in with a left-foot effort which flashed just past the far post following a swift counter-attack.
City were struggling to cope with Bayern's passing and movement , and the busy Hart denied David Alaba before Lewandowski fired just wide from a tight angle after rounding the keeper.
Normal service was resumed at the start of the second half, as Hart was alert to the danger once again to comfortably keep out Gotze's shot from inside the penalty area.
Bayern remained on the front foot as Hart flapped at a cross from the right before scrambling back to tip Bernat's effort over the crossbar, then David Silva had a chance to put the visitors in front against the run of play when he raced into the box and headed Jesus Navas's cross wide.
Hart then spilled Rafinha's shot, and reacted well to deny Muller following up but the linesman's flag was up as City lived dangerously once again.
Robben was introduced late on and was in the thick of the action when he went down in the penalty area, but the referee rightly waved play on as Bayern's frustrations mounted.
And City had a penalty shout of their own when Navas claimed he was caught by Benatia, but the referee again ignored the protests as the game appeared destined to end goalless.
However, Boateng popped up as the match entered stoppage time, with his well struck right-foot effort deflecting off the back of Gotze and beyond a helpless Hart to hand the hosts the win.
Xavi equals all-time Champions League appearance record
By Peter McVitie
Sep 17, 2014 20:12:00
The Barcelona midfielder turns out for his 142nd appearance in the competition proper, pulling level with former Real Madrid and Schalke striker Raul
Xavi has equalled the record for all-time Champions League appearances, drawing level with Raul, having started for Barcelona in their opening group game with Apoel.
The midfielder made his 142nd appearance in the competition proper as his side lined up against the Cypriot club, the same number as the former Real Madrid and Schalke striker.
Xavi made his debut in the competition in 1998 against Premier League giants Manchester United, in a 3-3 draw and has been a mainstay in it since then, lifting the European crown three times since then.
Raul and Xavi now sit on 142 displays in the Champions League, ahead of Ryan Giggs and Iker Casillas on 141. Former midfielder Clarence Seedorf made 125 appearances across his spells at Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan, while Paul Scholes turned out 124 times for Manchester United.
Carles Puyol is the Barcelona player to have made the second highest number of appearances in the Champions League, with 115 to his name.
Xavi and Casillas will likely be vying for the record together by the end of 2014-15 as both remain regulars for Barca and Real Madrid respectively.
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique defended his decision to rotate his squad after the Spanish giants edged past APOEL on Wednesday.
Barca kicked off their UEFA Champions League Group F campaign with a 1-0 win at home to APOEL, with Gerard Pique's 28th-minute header the difference.
Lionel Messi and Munir El Haddadi were the only survivors from the team that beat Athletic Bilbao last week as Luis Enrique made nine changes.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Dani Alves, Adriano Correia, Pique, Marc Bartra, Xavi, Sergi Roberto, Sergi Samper and Neymar were all in the starting XI.
Luis Enrique's rotation was brought into question post-game after Barca were made to work for their victory against the Cypriots, but the Spanish boss said rotation is necessary to compete on all fronts.
"We had problems because they gave us so little space. As a positive, we scored from a set-piece. I also love the fact we have not conceded," said Luis Enrique.
"It was a tough match and we made few mistakes so we deserved the three points.
"We always have to find solutions. I would pick the same team now having watched the match tonight – I would do it all over again.
"We were not too fluid and we know we have to improve and we will analyse our performance. I might make mistakes sometimes – I don't think I did tonight.
"You might think we should have won by four or five, but those are my decisions and you decide if they are right or not."
Arsenal must cut out mistakes to win Champions League, warns Arteta
By Matthew Sherry
Sep 18, 2014 13:16:00
The Gunners were comprehensively beaten 2-0 by Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday after an error-strewn performance and the Spaniard admits they cannot continue to be so sloppy
Mikel Arteta warns Arsenal must make vast improvements if they are to have any chance of challenging for the Champions League this season.
Arsene Wenger's side began their continental campaign in miserable fashion on Tuesday, falling to a comprehensive 2-0 defeat against Borussia Dortmund in Group D.
Arteta admits the scoreline flattered Arsenal, after an error-strewn performance, and insists they must up their performance level significantly to compete with the best in Europe.
"If you make the mistakes that we did, against top sides, we know that there is no chance to win the Champions League," the midfielder told reporters.
"We encouraged them to do that by giving the ball away so many times in very difficult positions. They exploit the spaces very well and they put us under pressure.
"I am bitterly disappointed. I am very disappointed because we knew their strengths, what we had to avoid and what we did was encourage them to play their game.
"We have to react. We have to analyse what we have done wrong and try to improve. In four days, we have another game. That is the best thing, another game to try to react and improve."
The former defender felt the Amsterdam giants were too timid in the first half of their 1-1 Champions League draw
Ajax coach Frank de Boer has admitted that the Eredivisie champions showed Paris Saint-Germain too much respect in the opening 45 minutes of their Champions League encounter at the Amsterdam ArenA on Wednesday.
Lasse Schone struck a 74th-minute equaliser, cancelling out Edinson Cavani's first-half goal as Ajax earned a point in their Group F opener.
De Boer was pleased with his team's approach in the second half on Wednesday, however, and said it was exactly what they needed to produce against top-quality opposition.
"In the first half we didn't play freely enough to do anything against PSG," De Boer said at a press conference.
"They didn't have many chances but they were more threatening than us. After the big chance we gave away at the start of the second half I think we threw off our fear.
"[Half-time substitute Niki] Zimling brought some calmness to the team and we got closer to the opponents' goal. Then you know that you can have some small chances.
"We showed in the second half that we can play good football. In the second half my team threw off their fear and that's what you need to do against such teams. Everyone played well in the second half and we can be happy with a point."
De Boer then went on to praise goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen and defender Joel Veltman for their performances.
"I have to give my goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen a lot of praise for denying them a second goal," he said.
"I was also pleased with Joel Veltman, who was on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and prevented PSG from passing the ball to him.
"However, we cannot make mistakes at this level and we have to cut those out."
The former France coach was not impressed by his side's profligacy in front of goal but stressed they were facing quality opponents
Laurent Blanc has bemoaned his side's missed chances after Paris Saint-Germain were held to a 1-1 draw by Ajax in Wednesday's Champions League encounter at the Amsterdam ArenA.
The Ligue 1 champions took a 1-0 lead after just 14 minutes through Edinson Cavani and appeared comfortable for much of the game, despite Ajax enjoying plenty of possession.
Blanc's men spurned several opportunities to put the game to bed, though, and they were ultimately punished for a lack of conviction as Lasse Schone leveled matters with a curling free kick with 16 minutes left.
"If we analyse the match and look at the chances we had we can say that we're frustrated, but it was a tough match, especially in the second half.
"I want to emphasize the fact that Ajax have a lot of quality and have created a lot of problems for us and held on to their playing philosophy.
"I've never seen my players like this after a match so i think that this match will help us for future matches.
"We came here to get three points, but because of Ajax's qualities that wasn't possible. Maybe we didn't do everything to win the match but the players gave their all. We got one point but we wanted three."
PSG meet Barcelona in their second Group F game on September 30.
Some of the Russian side's fans were accused of racism while some of the home support set off fireworks during the Champions League clash
Uefa is to investigate the behaviour of fans of both CSKA Moscow and Roma following the Champions League clash between the pair.
The two sides met in their opening Group E fixture on September 17 in the Italian capital, when Roma ran out comfortable 5-1 winners.
Uefa announced on Tuesday that they are looking into the alleged racist behaviour of CSKA supporters, as well as the Roma fans who threw missiles and set off fireworks.
"Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against: Roma for setting off/throwing of fireworks and missiles (art. 16 (2) (b) and (c) of the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations) and insufficient organisation (art 38 Safety & Security regulation)," a brief statement read.
"CSKA for the racist behaviour of supporters (art. 14 of the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations), crowd disturbance (art. 16 (2) (h) of the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations), setting off/throwing of fireworks and missiles (art. 16 (2) (b) and (c) of the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations).
"The case will be dealt by the Uefa Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on 3 October."
The former Barcelona star will miss Wednesday's trip to the Stade Michel d’Ornano due to a heel injury
Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc has backed Zlatan Ibrahimovic to come through his current struggles and labelled him a "monster of professionalism".
Ibrahimovic will miss the midweek game at Caen due to a left heel injury detected after tests on Tuesday.
And while Blanc would rather have the Sweden star available it may be his absence is a blessing in the long term.
Ibrahimovic has scored five goals in five Ligue 1 games this season but has not looked in peak condition and laboured through Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Lyon at the Parc des Princes.
Speaking before news of Ibrahimovic's injury broke, Blanc admitted he would like to rest his key player sooner rather than later.
In remarks reported by L'Equipe, the former France coach said: “Zlatan is going through a difficult moment but we are trying to help him.
“He is the same as many big-name players in that he always stays on the pitch, they never get substituted.
“He is one of our leaders, that’s a normal situation.
“At some point I will ask him to go on the bench to give him a rest because he will soon be 33 years old and we have many games to play.”
MONSTROUS | But Blanc must do without his talisman against Caen
Blanc, who has come under pressure from supporters due to PSG’s slow start to the defence of their Ligue 1 crown, has no lingering concerns over Ibrahimovic, however.
“Zlatan is a competitor, he always wants to play,” he added. “When he scores a goal he wants to score more. He is a monster of professionalism.”
PSG will again be without captain Thiago Silva for the clash at the Stade Michel d’Ornano as the Brazil defender continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
“He won’t be in the squad to play Caen,” said Blanc. “He is still doing his rehabilitation and we don’t want him to suffer a relapse.
“We are eager to have him back but we have to be professional and not take unnecessary risks.”
PSG enter the seventh round of fixtures in fifth place, three points behind joint-leaders Marseille, Bordeaux and Saint Etienne.
Liverpool, Inter & Monaco to face FFP investigation
By Kris Voakes
Sep 25, 2014 17:16:46
Uefa have announced that seven clubs have been asked to give reasons for their overspending in the financial years ending 2012 and 2013
Inter , Liverpool , Monaco and Roma are among seven clubs to be investigated by Uefa over breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
All four have returned to European competition this season after missing out in 2013-14, but have fallen foul of Uefa's FFP laws which demand that clubs lose no more than €45 million over the three-year period of 2011-14.
The European governing body has announced that the seven clubs – which also include Besiktas, Sporting Lisbon and FC Krasnodar – have submitted financial reports for the periods ending 2012 and 2013 which show break-even deficits.
The Uefa Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) has now asked the clubs involved to submit evidence to support their case against punishment, which could be as serious as expulsion from European competition.
A Uefa statement confirmed: “These clubs will need to submit additional monitoring information during October and November upon the deadlines set by the CFCB, subsequent to which an additional communication will be made and conservatory measures may be imposed.”
Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain were hit with heavy fines and a reduction of players in their Champions League squads for season 2014-15 as a result of previous breaches under the FFP guidelines, having failed to convince the CFCB that their overspends were circumstancial.
Uefa has also announced that five further clubs – Bursaspor, CFR Cluj, Astra Giurgiu, Buducnost Podgorica and Ekranas – will have prize money temporarily withheld while they are investigated for overdue payments to either employees or external parties.
It total, the organisation will continue to monitor 115 cases over which they have concerns regarding finances.
