UEFA Champions League, Week One: The Best and the Rest

The UEFA Champions League finally arrived on Tuesday, bringing plenty of interesting matchups. Juventus hosting Zenit St. Petersburg was the game I was looking forward to the most—Zenit coming off the UEFA Cup and Super Cup triumphs, and Juventus returning to CL action following a two-year absence due to match fixing scandals.

Like most fans, I expected Roma to win comfortably at home against CFR Cluj-Napoca. It was not to be though. Let's take a closer look at each of the matchups from this week.

Chelsea 4 Bordeaux 0

The Blues played a flawless match and could have scored double the four goals they finished with. Nicolas Anelka alone should have hit the back of the net three times. Bourdeaux weren't able to get any sort of offense going, and Petr Cech didn't have to face a single shot on goal. Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Florent Malouda, and Anelka each notched for Chelsea.

Roma 1 CFR Cluj-Napoca 2

The biggest upset of the week and one of the biggest in CL history. Currently sitting in 7th place in the Romanian league, Cluj got two strikes from Emmanuel Culio for a well earned three points. Roma newcomers, John Arne Riise and Julio Baptista, failed to make any sort of impact. The only good news to hit the Giallorossi, was the return of star striker Francesco Totti.

Panathinaikos 0 Inter Milan 2

Chalk two up for Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He assisted on both Inter goals (the first one was a tremendous effort), and Jose Mourinho's team got off to a flying start. Panathinaikos had some great chances, testing Julio Cesar plenty of times, and hitting the crossbar on another occasion. However, they were unlucky losers at the end of the match.

Werder Bremen 0 Anorthosis Famagusta 0

Last year's runner-up in the Bundesliga fired 24 shots towards goal. Unfortunately, only two hit the target and Brazilian midfielder Diego couldn't erase his team's doughnut on the scoreboard. It's a solid earned point for the Cypriot team, Anorthosis. I'm sure they're just happy to be along for the CL ride, and earning a point in the first match is a nice bonus.

FC Basel 1 Shakhtar Donetsk 2

The rich Ukrainian giants all but sealed the three points in the first half. Fernandinho and Jadson scored, before David Angel Abraham got a consolation goal in stoppage time. Both goals came as a result of beautifully taken free kicks and Mircea Lucescu's men are off and running.

Barcelona 3 Sporting Lisbon 1

Barcelona kicked off their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon. Rafael Marquez and Samuel Eto'o scored to seemingly put the game away. Antonio Tonel pulled one back for the guests though before Xavi finally put the game away in the 87th minute. Is this the year Barca finally reclaims CL glory with their group of stars?

PSV Eindhoven 0 Atletico Madrid 3

Here's a squad that can give Liverpool some major problems in Group D. Sergio Aguero is already one of the brightest young stars in La Liga at such a young age. The ever dangerous striker put two in the back of the net, giving him five goals in the last four games. Maniche put the game away nine minutes into the second half.

Marseille 1 Liverpool 2

How many times has Steven Gerrard bailed his team out? Marseille took the lead after 23 minutes through skipper Lorik Cana. Gerrard equalized three minutes later with a trademark goal. Dirk Kuyt sent a pass a little behind the captain and he turned back to fire it perfectly into the top left corner.

Ryan Babel also showed that he should be a regular starter on this Liverpool squad, making a number of nice plays and earning the spot-kick for the Reds. Of course, Gerrard made good from the penalty area, twice—after the kick had to be retaken.

Manchester United 0 Villarreal 0

The woodwork took a pounding from both teams in this match. It was as close as either team would get, and Rio Ferdinand missing a tap-in before the 10 minute mark just showed this wasn't United's night. Ji-Sung Park also missed a great opportunity in the first half.

Does this guy belong in Old Trafford? I don't think so. Cristiano Ronaldo coming on in the 62nd minute didn't spark any goals either.

Celtic 0 AaB 0

The lone Scottish team in the CL continues to make life hard on itself. Without a doubt, their easiest game in the group stages and they blew it. Barry Robson missed a penalty in the 30th minute and the Celtic faithful weren't able to carry their team to victory like they've done on so many occasions.

Anyone who is still upset about Artur Boruc's terrible performance against Rangers a weeks ago, get over it. This guy is one of the best 'keepers in the world and belongs in a better league. Arsenal and Barcelona wanted to pick him up in the summer so be happy you have him.

Steaua Bucuresti 0 Bayern Munich 1

Daniel Van Buyten was the lone scorer in this match as Bayern held on for a narrow victory. The Romanian side displayed a spiritual effort and were unlucky to not grab at least one point. This performance should give them confidence for their future matches in what is a tough group.

Lyon 2 Fiorentina 2

Probably the best match of the week, with plenty of goals and controversy. Lyon's yellow jerseys did them no favours I'm sure. Alberto Gilardino fired in two fine headers in the box to give Fiorentina a deserved 2-0 lead.

In the 73rd minute, controversy arrived as defender Luciano Zauri was down and hurting in the box. Instead of kicking the ball out of play so Zauri could get some treatment, Lyon played on and Karim Benzema took advantage by setting Frederic Piquionne up for a tap-in.

Rightfully upset, Fiorentina players went after Benzema. In the 86th minute, their anger returned as the dangerous striker levelled the match for Lyon. The first goal for the French Champion's was certainly an act of desperation, but was it right? La Viola will have a chance at vengeance in the second matchup in Italy.

FC Porto 3 Fenerbahce 1

I expected this one to be a bit closer. All three Porto goals were the conclusion of tremendous passing. Daniel Guiza pulled one back for Fenerbahce to make it 2-1, before Lino put the game away in the 90th minute. Last year's quarterfinalists will have to get their act together if they hope to match that success.

Dynamo Kiev 1 Arsenal 1

Arsene Wenger's men were also sporting their yellow jerseys in this match. Ismael Bangoura fired home a spot-kick in the 64th minute to give Kiev a 1-0 lead. William Gallas saved the day in the 88th minute though, putting a loose ball into the net.

Theo Walcott didn't receive a warm reception. According to Wenger, the Dynamo defenders were out to get Walcott, and put him on the sidelines.

Real Madrid 2 BATE Borisov 0

Don't be fooled by the two goals because Madrid could have easily hit double digits in this one. Sergio Ramos and Ruud Van Nistelrooy struck and then BATE's Anri Khagush was sent off, making any comeback impossible (if it wasn't already).

Juventus 1 Zenit St Petersburg 0

Alessandro Del Piero made Juventus' return to CL action a memorable one. The veteran striker hit a powerful free kick into the top right corner of the net. Like Gerrard for Liverpool, how often has Del Piero been the man for Juventus? Zenit put forth a good display and were unfortunate losers.