FC Internazionale 2 - 2 Dynamo Kiev
D. Stankovic (35) T. Mikhalik (4)
W. Samuel (47) Lucio (OG) (40)
Kickoff and both teams looked really energetic but Kiev dominated. 4 minutes into the game and a goal was scored. Magrao sent a free kick into Inter's wall and the ball dropped 2 Mikhalik who spun and hit the ball on the half volley. It hit inside and went past the goalkeeper for goal #1. It took Inter a while to regain their form and started playing with more attack. 35 minutes into the game and the Inter defence sent a long ball forward and Dejan Stankovic latched on to it and broke away from the Kiev defence. The keeper came 30 yards out from his line and Stankovic just had 2 slide it in, which he did, and equalised for Inter. 40 minutes and it was a corner for Inter to defend. The corner kick was taken and the ball was deflected by Milevskiy and was accidentally put in the net by the head of Lucio. What a shame for the Brazilian International. Inter were now behind again. So halftime Inter go in trailing 2-1. The second half began and Inter had brought on Suazo for Muntari and 2 minutes into it, Samuel equalized for Inter with a powerful header from a Sneijder corner. Now Inter were on the attack. As the half went on, shots came close to scoring to put either side in the lead but none did. The closest one being a shot from Shevchenko after being handed the ball by a Lucio clearance and when he struck it with the outside of his left foot, it went 5 yards wide. The final whistle blew and it was all even. The best and worst players (in my opinion), were Shevchenko and Lucio respectively. 8 yellow cards were shown in this match ,4 per side, and all 6 substitutions were made. For Inter, D. Suazo on for S. Muntari (45), P. Viera on for E. Cambiasso (86) and M. Materazzi for D. Stankovic (86). For Kiev,O. Gusev for M. Ninkovic (69), Betao for G. Magrao (70) and A. Kravets for A. Milevskiy (90+ 3)
AZ Alkmaar 1 - 1 Arsenal FC
Mendes da Silva (90+3) Fabregas (35)
Arsenal were without a few of their big players for this, their 1st match against the dutch side and were unlucky to come out with only a point after taking the lead from a goal from Fabregas, following up from an Arsenal passing play and assisted by R. Van Persie, after 35 minutes into the game. The half time whistle blew and Arsenal went in leading at the break. The second half kicked off and there were various chances for both sides but they failed to seize upon them until the final minute of added time. A long free kick was taken and Mendes da Silva fired home in the box to put the home side back on level terms and maintain their record of being beaten only once on home soil in all 34 of their european appearances. The match ended in a draw. 4 yellow cards were shorn in this match, 1 going to the home side and the latter going to Arsenal, and 5 of the 6 combined substitutes were used. For AZ, J. Lens on for M. Martens (69), G. Pelle for B. Holman (72) and P. Wernbloom for N. Mosiander (85). For Arsenal, C. Vela on for R.Van Persie (75) and A. Ramsey for E. Eboue (82).
Liverpool FC 1 - 2 O. Lyon
Y. Benayoun (41) G. Maxime (72)
C. Delgado (90+1)
Anfield was the venue for this matchup and without Torres and coming off of a loss through a controversial goal over the weekend, Liverpool were looking to revitalize their morale by gaining a win today but this was not the case. The match started out poorly for Liverpool as 24 minutes in Gerrard was taken off and was replaced by F. Aurelio. What a shock substitution so early in the match, and most expected to see Babel or Voronin enter the fray instead. Liverpool regained their confidence and were up 1-0 after a goal from Benayoun. The ball came in from a low cross from Aurelio which deflected off Cris and landed into the path of Benayoun who did what was needed and put the home side up front. It looked like it was goin from bad to worse for Lyon as 1 minute after the goal was conceded, Cris was taken off due to injury and was replaced by G. Maxime. The whistle blew at the end of the 1st half and Liverpool went into the break ahead. the 2nd half kicked off and 17 minutes in, Lyon equalised. A corner came in and Reina did well to parry it and make to very good follow up saves, stopping Toulalan and Govou, but Maxime headed his shot in past the Spaniard and equalised. Liverpool looked to come away with 1 point until stoppage time where the ball was fed to Govou and slid the ball to the far post where Delgado tapped it in. The final whistle blew and the match finished with Liverpool losing the 4th consecutive match and Lyon running out winners 2-1. 4 yellow cards were shown in this match. 1 going to the home side and the latter to the away side. All 6 combined substitutes were used. For Liverpool, F. Aurelio on for S. Gerrard (24), M. Skrtel for M. Kelly (75) and A. Voronin for Y. Benayoun (85). For Lyon, G. Maxime on for Cris (42), B. Gomis for Ederson (61) and C. Delgado for L. Lopez (88)
