UEFA Champions League Week 1 Review: Barcelona, Arsenal Rampant

UEFA Champions League 2010-2011 group stage has finally started!

We saw a lot of great matches and a lot of great goals!

I am bringing you a quick review of all results in all groups.

I hope you will enjoy.

Group A: Inter Struggle To Draw

Twente vs Inter  2-2

Janssen 20’, Milito 30’ (o.g.)    /  Sneijder 14’, Eto'o 41’

Internazionale began their Chamions League title defence with an entertaining 2-2 draw against FC Twente. Twente showed some good football against Inter. It will be interesting to see if Benitez can make an impact on Inter like Jose Mourinho did. Inter definitely looks very different under control of Spanish coach.

Werder Bremen vs Tottenham  2-2

Almeida 43’, Marin 47’   /  Pasanen 12’ (o.g.), Crouch 18’

Spurs blow their two goal lead and Werder did a great recovery.

It's all tied up in group A. Interesting that we saw own goal in each match.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Inter	1	0	1	0	2	2	0	1
Tottenham	1	0	1	0	2	2	0	1
Werder Bremen	1	0	1	0	2	2	0	1
Twente	1	0	1	0	2	2	0	1

September 29th:

Inter vs Werder

Tottenham vs Twente

Group B: Favorites Win Easily

Michael Steele/Getty Images

LYON, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 14: Benedikt Hoewedes (R) of Schalke is shown a red card by referee Ivan Bebek after a foul on Jimmy Briand during the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Olympique Lyonnais and FC Schalke 04 at the Stade de Gerland on Se

Lyon vs Schalke   1-0

Bastos 21’

It was a hard win for Lyon but 10-men Schalke have been a good opponent. Red card changed the whole match.

Benfica vs Hapoel Tel Aviv  2-0

Luisão 21’, Cardozo 68’

Benfica did a flying start into the new Champions League campaign.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Benfica	1	1	0	0	2	0	+2	3
Lyon	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	3
Schalke 04	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1	0
Hapoel Tel Aviv	1	0	0	1	0	2	−2	0

September 29th

Schalke vs Benfica

Hapoel Tel Aviv vs Lyon

Group C: Rangers Frustrate United

Manchester United vs Rangers  0-0

Very disappointing start for Ferguson players. Super effort by Rangers to get a draw.

Also, this match will be remembered for a serious injury. United player, Valencia broke his leg.

Bursaspor vs Valencia   0-4

Tino 16’, Adúriz 41’, Pablo 68’, Soldado 76’

Miserable debut for Bursaspor as Valencia completely destroyed them.

Valencia looks pretty good without Villa and Silva.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Valencia	1	1	0	0	4	0	+4	3
Manchester United	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Rangers	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Bursaspor	1	0	0	1	0	4	−4	0

September 29th

Rangers vs Bursaspor

Valencia vs Manchester United

Group D: PAO Destroyed By Great Barcelona

Barcelona vs Panathinaikos 5-1

Messi 22’, 45’, Villa 33’, Pedro 78’, Dani Alves 90’   /  Govou 20’

Barcelona looked impressive in this match as Messi was shining again. Govou gave them a little upset but that was going on only for 2 minutes.

Copenhagen vs Rubin  1-0

N'Doye 87’

Copenhagen win at the death. Late header from N'Doye in 87 min. gave Copenhagen all 3 points.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Barcelona	1	1	0	0	5	1	+4	3
Copenhagen	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	3
Rubin Kazan	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1	0
Panathinaikos	1	0	0	1	1	5	−4	0

September 29th

Rubin vs Barcelona

Panathinaikos vs Copenhagen

Group E: Bayern Wins Easily Poor Roma

Bayern Munich vs Roma  2-0

Müller 79’, Klose 83’

A deserved win for Bayern Munich. Very quality football from German Champions.

Müller goal was a true masterpiece.

Cluj vs Basel   2-1

Rada 9’, Traoré 12’  /  Stocker 45’

Cluj took care of business right on the start of the match giving no hope for Basel.

This are definitely 3 "gold" points for Cluj.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Bayern Munich	1	1	0	0	2	0	+2	3
Cluj	1	1	0	0	2	1	+1	3
Basel	1	0	0	1	1	2	−1	0
Roma	1	0	0	1	0	2	−2	0

September 28th

Roma vs Cluj

Basel vs Bayern Munich

Group F: Chelsea Destruction In Slovakia and Surprise From Spartak Moscow

Hamish Blair/Getty Images

ZILINA, SLOVAKIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Michael Essien of Chelsea celebrates as he scores their first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between MSK Zilina and Chelsea at the Pod Dubnom Stadium on September 15, 2010 in Zilina, Slovakia. (Photo

Zilina vs Chelsea  1-4

Oravec 55’   /   Essien 13’, Anelka 24’, 28’, Sturridge 48’

Chelsea easily destroyed Zilina. Chelsea is definitely one of the biggest favorites for winning the Champions League this year. Can Ancelotti bring this title to the Blues?

Olympique Marseille vs Spartak Moscow  0-1

Azpilicueta 82’ (o.g.)

Big surprise from Spartak as they get all three points against Marseille on their field.

Spartak didn't deserve this win but thanks to Azpilicueta who scored an own goal, they can celebrate.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Chelsea	1	1	0	0	4	1	+3	3
Spartak Moscow	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	3
Marseille	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1	0
Zilina	1	0	0	1	1	4	−3	0

September 28th

Chelsea vs Marseille

Spartak Moscow vs Zilina

Group G: Milan and Real Does a Good Sweet Start

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 15: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan during the UEFA Champions League group G match between AC Milan and Auxerre at San Siro Stadium on September 15, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Milan vs Auxerre  2-0

Ibrahimovic 66’, 69’

Ibrahimovic finally scored his first goals for Milan. Milan showed class late in the game and they are taking all 3 points.

Real Madrid vs Ajax  2-0

Anita 31’ (o.g.), Higuaín 73’

Real Madrid deserved to win this match and Jose Mourinho can be really happy with the score.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Milan	1	1	0	0	2	0	+2	3
Real Madrid	1	1	0	0	2	0	+2	3
Ajax	1	0	0	1	0	2	−2	0
Auxerre	1	0	0	1	0	2	−2	0

September 28th

Ajax vs Milan

Auxerre vs Real Madrid

Group H: Arsenal Destroyes The Newbies Braga

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Carlos Vela of Arsenal celebrates with team mate Cesc Fabregas after scoring his teams sixth goal during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between Arsenal and SC Braga at the Emirates Stadium on September 15, 2010 in

Arsenal vs Braga 6-0

Fábregas 9’ (pen.), 53’, Arshavin 30’, Chamakh 34’, Vela 69’, 84’

Arsenal fans couldn't wish better start of new Champions League campaign.

Every football fan enjoyed watching amazing Arsenal win against Braga.

Shaktar Donetsk vs Partizan 1-0

Srna 71’

Fantastic free kick from Croatian international, Dario Srna was enough to sink Partizan.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Arsenal	1	1	0	0	6	0	+6	3
Shaktar Donetsk	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	3
Partizan	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1	0
Braga	1	0	0	1	0	6	−6	0

September 28th

Braga vs Shaktar Donetsk

Partizan vs Arsenal

Conclusion

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal scores from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between Arsenal and SC Braga at the Emirates Stadium on September 15, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Get

Total Goals: 44  (2.75 per match)

Most goals in the match: Arsenal vs Braga  6-0   &  Barcelona Panathinaikos 5-1

Top Goalscorers: Anelka, Fabregas, Ibrahimovic, Messi, Vela  (2 goals each)

The biggest surprises: Manchester United vs Rangers 0-0

                                          Olympique Marseille vs Spartak Moscow 0-1

                                          Twente vs Inter  2-2