Champions League 2012-13: The third matchday, Part I

Champions League is entering an interesting phase, where every next match is becoming vital. Before we enjoy the matches on Tuesday and Wednesday, let’s look at the results that the matchday 3 brought. Some of the teams had already built a good basis earlier in matchday 1 and matchday 2, others had to catch up here, so we received uncompromising matches. There was only one goal difference between the teams in 10 matches, and another 2 ended in a draw.

Group A

Dinamo-PSG 0-2 (Ibrahimovic, Menez)

After organizing his national team’s incredible comeback in Germany, Ibrahimovic had to miss several chances throughout the game. He scored only once in Zagreb in a match, which was nothing else but an easy walk for the French team.

Porto-Dynamo 3-2 (Varela, J. Martinez (2)-Gusev, Ideye)

Porto’s first conceded goals in this season’s Champions League could prevent them from being among the super four, which has won all of its matches so far. However, Jackson Martinez brought this third important victory to his team.

Standings:

Porto 9

PSG 6

Dynamo 3

Dinamo 0

Next matches:

PSG-Dinamo

Dynamo-Porto

Intrigue: Well, this one, as expected, turned to be the easiest group to predict. Football is unpredictable, but the class between the two Eastern and Western European sides is obvious. Dynamo could not get a point in Porto, which leaves them with the toughest task of all: come out and earn all 9 points in the next 3 matches. Theoretically the most dedicated fans of the Kyiv side could count on the two home matches against Porto and PSG. Let’s watch the Dynamo-Porto match, where the last intrigue of this group can be killed.

Group B

Arsenal-Schalke 04 0-2 (Huntelaar, Afellay)

The match took place after the international break. Arsenal players haven’t been able to recover after this pause. This match was typical in that sense. Schalke 04, in super form by the way,  managed to score 2 in the last quarter of the match. Seems like Huntelaar has found his team.

Montpellier-Olympiacos 1-2 (Charbonnier – Torosidis, Mitroglou)  

Everything seemed to go according to a scenario, which had to cheer Stade de la Mosson. However, the last 15 minutes not only broke this scenario, but also turned it upside down, as the substitute Abdoun stole the ball from a Montpellier player and assisted Mitroglou, thus stealing the victory as well on the last minute of the match.

Standings:

Schalke 04 7

Arsenal 6

Olympiacos 3

Montpellier 1

Next matches:

Schalke 04-Arsenal

Olympiacos-Montpellier

Intrigue: Is everything already clear in this group? I wouldn’t say so yet. Montpellier: the other three might get on with less than three points in this round, but the French champions simply have to win in Greece. But if it is Olympiacos who wins here, we are getting a very tense fight in the last two rounds.

Group C

Zenit-Anderlecht 1-0 (Kerzhakov)

Zenit won yet another match with a minimal 1-0, scoring after a penalty. This is a typical Zenit-style win. They could have conceded in the first minutes of the match, but Anderlecht remained one of the two teams which haven’t scored a single goal yet. Zenit is getting better match after match, but the overdiscussed Hulk and Witsel are still strangers in the team.

Malaga-Milan 1-0 (Joaquin)

Milan played with 5 defenders + Ambrosini, thus creating a huge gap between the defense and attack. El-Shaarawy and colleagues were totally cut from the game. In defensive aspect, Milan closed Malaga’s wings, so Isco, Joaquin and Portillo had to look for luck in the center. After 35 minutes Malaga started to increase the pressure over Milan. This led to a penalty, which was not converted by Joaquin. Malaga’s attacking performance continued for 20 minutes more after the pause, and reached its logical finish: Joaquin could finally score after Iturre sent the ball over the opponent’s defense, which was probably the only way to leave Milan’s massive defense behind. Milan tried to wake up, as Pato and Bojan appeared instead of defenders. The gap between defense and attack didn’t disappear, though. This circumstance didn’t give Milan any big chances to score. The conclusion - one of the worst matches of Milan, where an average performance by Malaga was enough to earn all three points.

Standings:

Malaga 9

Milan 4

Zenit 3

Anderlecht 1

Next matches:

Milan-Malaga

Anderlecht-Zenit

Intrigue: Malaga, the only team, which hasn’t conceded in this Champions League yet, can become one of the first teams to book play-off tickets, if they win in Milan. And Milan will need to earn points, rather all three, to be able to cope with Zenit, which is getting better and might cause some troubles in the end of the group stage.

Group D

Ajax-Manchester City 3-1 (De Jong, Moisander, Eriksen-Nasri)

This was Christian Eriksen’s time. The young Dane scored, assisted and threatened the English visitors for the whole match. It was a pleasure to watch his game. After conceding a goal in the first half Ajax could have attained its third consecutive defeat. Nevertheless, a goal right before the break changed the things and now it was Mancini’s half time speech that needed to have an impact on the match. Manchester City attacked during the whole second half, but it is not a secret that they are vulnerable at the back, no matter they play with three or four defenders. The Dutch champions scored two more, and could even destroy their guests, had Sana beaten Hart in a one-on-one situation. Mancini accepted his fault, but is it going to help the team advance?

Borussia-Real 2-1 (Lewandowski, Schmelzer-Ronaldo)

It is difficult to imagine Borussia without the inspirational midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski. But Marco Reus managed to cover Kuba’s right wing when it was needed the most. The thing is that Mourinho had offered the position of a left back to Michael Essien. The other crucial position was Real’s midfield. Khedira had to leave the pitch after some twenty minutes to be substituted by Modric, who is much more of a creator than destroyer. The out of form Borussia was good enough to take the advantage of these two circumstances. It was especially easy to use Real’s left flank, where Essien didn’t get much support and couldn’t cope alone. Dortmund’s intensive style of play didn’t let Real attack a lot. Real lost a match, which, to be honest, in no circumstances can be considered a crucial loss. They still have got two matches at home, where they can build up on their 6 points and eventually win the group. The match had another level of importance for the German champions. It is not a fact, that Manchester City can beat Real at home, and even if so, they still have a gap to be covered in at least 2 matches. There are 3 rounds left. Congratulations, Jurgen Klopp!

Standings:

Borussia 7

Real 6

Ajax 3

Manchester City 1

Next matches:

Manchester City-Ajax

Real-Borussia

Intrigue: It will be a question of honor for Real to beat Borussia in the upcoming match. But if Borussia manages to earn a point at Santiago Bernabeu, I don’t see any scenarios turning away the German application to enter the play-off stage. Go to part II