The Russian side have been charged over the improper conduct of their supporters, whose actions brought about a 20-minute delay early in proceedings.

MSK Zilina

The Dutch referee Kevin Blom led the players off the field after flares were thrown on to the pitch. The visiting team re-emerged to plead with their own fans for calm, only to be met by a fresh barrage, before the game eventually resumed.

Eventually, Spartak won the match 2-1.

MSK Zilina face a charge of insufficient organisation and another count of improper conduct by the team after their players received five yellow cards during the game.

Both cases will be heard at Thursday’s meeting of the UEFA control and disciplinary body.

The Spanish champions, with Lionel Messi on the bench, wasted a host of chances in the first half, with striker Pedro the main culprit against the team who took four points off Barcelona in last season’s competition.

Pedro missed a golden early opportunity, hitting a crossbar with the goal at his mercy following a perfect pass by David Villa. Pedro had another chance late in the first half but again shot wide of the post from 12 metres.

The Russian champions converted their first real chance, captain Christian Noboa scoring from the spot after Barca defender Dani Alves brought down Vitaly Kaleshin in the 30th minute.

Thirty minutes later Spain striker Villa equalised with another penalty after Andres Iniesta was fouled inside the box.

However, Rubin, who stunned the then European champions 2-1 in the Nou Camp before holding them to a 0-0 home draw in the group stage last season, frustrated the Catalans again with their defensive approach.

CHANCES WASTED

“It was very difficult for us to score tonight as Rubin had many players guarding their goal,” Villa told reporters.

“Still, we had a lot of chances, hit a post and also their keeper played well when he had to.”

Barca coach Pep Guardiola introduced Messi shortly after scoring the equaliser, looking to break down the home team’s fortress.

The World Player of the Year, who netted twice in Barca’s 5-1 demolition of Panathinaikos in their opening group game, had one good chance but Rubin keeper Sergei Ryzhikov did well to avert the danger.

At the other end, Rubin substitute Obafemi Martins could have given the hosts an unlikely victory three minutes from time but the Nigerian striker hit the post from close range.

After Martins had wasted his chance, Iniesta could have snatched the three points for the visitors with virtually the last kick of the game but he just clipped a shot over the bar.

Rubin earned their first point in the competition following a surprise 1-0 defeat at Copenhagen in their opening fixture and Barcelona have four points after two games.

“We needed at least a point to keep alive our chances in the group after losing in Copenhagen so I must admit that we’re satisfied with the draw,” Rubin coach Kurban Berdyev said.

Greek side Panathinaikos were hosting Danish champions Copenhagen in the other Group D match later on Wednesday.

Pedro drew first blood for Barcelona but the visitors were left behind by a fascinating performance from the home team.

Pedro Rodriguez of Barcelona scores the first goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final 1st Leg match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at the San Siro on April 20, 2010.

Goals from Wesley Sneijder, Maicon and Diego Milito helped Inter steal the match away from the Spanish giants.

Ex-Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was booed by the Inter fans. Inter’s defence can give themselves a huge pat on the back for keeping the goal scoring machine- Lionel Messi, quiet.

Barcelona didn’t give up and kept trying to get back into the match, but the Inter defence proved too strong for them. Barca may want to blame their subdued performance on the Icelandic volcano which had them travel for 14 hours by bus.

Arjen Robben and his Bayern team mates celebrate his second goal at the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final, April 7th, 2010

The ten-man United squad couldn’t manage to hold on. Bayern Munich’s Robben helped his team through to the semi-finals with a beautiful volley. Earlier, United opened the scoring through Darren Gibson (3′), which was followed by Nani’s (7′) back heel goal. Nani added another in the 41st minute, United looked like they could sail through into the next round. However, Olic pulled one back two minutes after Nani had scored his second.

After the interval, United defender- Rafael was sent-off for his second bookable offence. Ferguson reacted by taking Rooney off and strengthened the back line with John O’Shea. Nani nearly scored his hat-trick through one of Valencia’s fantastic break, but it wasn’t meant to be.

It took a phenomenal goal from Robben (71′), that flew past Van der Sar into the far corner, to beat the hosts.

Messi celebrates his goal against Arsenal, Barcelona V Arsenal on 6th April, 2010

The little wonder scored 4 goals to help Barcelona into the next round.

Messi shows his skills in front of goal once again, he scored all four goals for Barca. Arsenal opened up the scoring through Bendtnerin the 18th minute. However, from then on the Gunners had to comply with ‘the Messi’ force.

Messi truly had an amazing match, his player rating would surely be 10. Messi scored the first with a left footer, the second with awesome control with his right foot, chipped the third in audaciously to complete his fourth hat-trick of the season.  He later scored his fourth near the end of the game after having his initial shot blocked by Almunia; the Argentina international then raced to get the ball back before burying the ball into the back of the net through Almunia’s legs.

Check all the goals from the match here.

Milan are without their right-back Massimo Oddo and manager Leonardo is hinting that Beckham could start in defence.

He said:

“I would be happy to play in any position, in defence, in attack.”

Beckham commented:

“I am not expected to start the games. I just want to be part of the team. Players are not jealous. They were happy to see me back. My experience with the club was so special for six months. It was one of the best six months of my career. I missed the team, the players, the fans. The group is very similar. It is the same at Manchester United, it never changes.”

Becks also said that he almost cried when he saw Milan were drawn against Manchester United. On this he stated:

“I have never returned to Old Trafford in seven years. I miss it every day. I miss being a Manchester United player, I miss the club, I miss the fans and friends at the club. It has always had a special place in my heart. It is business. We want to win the game.”

He stated that he wants to add an Italian league title to his list of awards:

“To win a title is my number one wish. To win a title with AC Milan. I don’t think the league has lost any charm. Definitely not.”

The Reds have allowed late goals in both their Champions League matches against Lyon and now Fiorentina, which has damaged their chances of qualifying to the knockout stage. Both Lyon and Fiorentina have made it to the next round.
In the post match conference Rafael Benitez said:

“The result and the way it happened just about sums up our Champions League campaign. Another last minute goal, and we are disappointed with that for the third time in this group. Now we must be ready for the next game at home to Arsenal on Sunday. We worked so hard, we had chances, so they are the only positive that we can take from the game.”

Although there were positives that Liverpool can take from this match, Torres returned from a groin injury and Aquiliani made his full debut for the club.

Benitez commented:

“Aquilani showed his quality, his touch was good. His vision and passing were good, but obviously he will have to work on his match fitness.”

“Everyone is available for Sunday, if he trains well he could well be involved against Arsenal. We are still trying to see the positives, we are playing better and we must now must take that into a very important game. It is the beginning of a new season for us now, I hope.”

Liverpool have also learnt that they will not be seeded in the Europa League next season.

“We will not be seeded in the Europa League, we must cope with that and be strong to handle what ever comes our way now,”

Benitez added.

Late goals from Paul Scholes(84′) and Antonio Valencia(90′+2′) helped United progress into the knockout stage of the competition. CSKA’s Deividas Šemberas earned  a red card but the team held on for a well-earned point on a remarkable tournament debut for new coach Leonid Slutski.

Earlier, Alan Dzagoev, Miloš Krasi? and Vasili Berezutski gave the visitors a 3-1 advantage, Owen had scored early in the first half. United dropped quite a few chances, Owen missed his kick when teed up by Valencia, then Darren Fletcher and Federico Macheda. Akinfeev made a string of saves to keep his side in the game, but couldn’t prevent United from salvaging a draw.

AC Milan 1-1 Real Madrid

The honours were shared at San Siro after Karim Benzema’s 29th-minute strike for an enterprising Real Madrid CF was cancelled out by Ronaldinho’s penalty six minutes later.

The visitors started off strongly having loads of chances and Benzema gave them the lead, but minutes later as Zambrotta attempted a cross the the ball struck the arm of the  sliding Pepe and referee Felix Brych pointed to the spot. Ronaldinho blasted the equalizer into the roof of the net.

Milan could have snatched the lead on 58 minutes when Massimo Ambrosini headed Andrea Pirlo’s free-kick over from four metres out and Pirlo almost picked out Marco Borriello soon afterwards before Xabi Alonso came to the rescue. Real, meanwhile, were now shooting from distance, but neither Kaká or Marcelo’s strikes seriously threatened Dida. Milan substitute- Inzaghi miscued a glorious chance from close range on 83 minutes, while his counterpart, Raúl González, saw his 88th-minute strike spectacularly turned over by Dida to ensure the contest finished all-square.

Chelsea  2-2 Atletico Madrid

Like Manchester United, their Premier League counterparts Chelsea FC reached the Champions League knockout round with two Group D games to spare despite a spirited display by now eliminated Club Atlético de Madrid, Didier Drogba’s double proving enough for the visitors.

Atlético put in an improved performance under new coach Quique Sánchez Flores and two spectacular Sergio Agüero goals. Atlético set the early pace with quick and neat passing. Diego Forlán came closest to opening the scoring when he let fly a left-footer from distance that zipped wide.

Drogba returning from a three-game suspension showed his eagerness to mark his return with a goal. In the 82nd minute, Drogba headed in Florent Malouda’s cross, Juanito’s slip allowed the Ivorian to score at the second attempt.

Other Results:

Marseille 6-1 FC Zurich
Maccabi Hafia 0-1 Juventus
Bayern Munich 0-2 Bordeaux
Bseiktas 0-3 Wolfsburg
APOEL 0-1 Porto

4th November Fixtures:

ACF Fiorentina    V   Debreceni VSC
Olympique Lyonnais    V    Liverpool FC
FC Rubin Kazan   V    FC Barcelona
FC Dynamo Kyiv   V    FC Internazionale Milano
FC Unirea Urziceni   V   Rangers FC
Sevilla FC    V   VfB Stuttgart
Arsenal FC    V    AZ Alkmaar
R. Standard de Liège    V   Olympiacos FC

Milan tried to comeback but the Swiss side worked hard to keep their lead secure and win the match.
Zurich Coach Bernard Challandes stated:

“It is a historic result for us. We were a bit lucky in the second half because Milan put us under a lot of pressure, but we worked hard and deserved the win.”

Dusan Djuric battles with Mathieu Flamini

Chelsea struggled to defeat one of the tournament’s minnows, APOEL Nicosia, in Cyprus. They had to work hard, but scored in the 18th minute through Nicolas Anelka. Coach Carlo Ancelotti was anything but pleased and said:

“No, I’m not satisfied. I want Chelsea to play better, to play with more control, more courage. But at this point in the season it’s normal. APOEL played very well and deserved a draw, but that’s the way football is.”

Manchester United were given a stiff test by the German champion’s VFL Wolfsburg but Ryan Giggs who has been in great touch, managed to push for a United victory, first equalizing and then assisting Carrick with the winner.

Edin Dzeko competes with Rio Ferdinand

Bayern Munich and Juventus had to settle for a 0-0 tie.

Bordeaux managed a 1-0 win over Israeli champion’s Maccabi Haifa thanks to a second-half goal by defender Michael Ciani.

CSKA Moskva defeated Turkish side Be?ikta? JK(2 – 1) with goals by Alan Dzagoyev and Milos Krasic. Be?ikta? JK scored one in injury time through Ekrem Dag.

FC Porto won against Atletico Madrid with Radamel Garcia and Rolando eventually scoring in a 2-0 victory.

Olympique Marseille suffered another loss in the competition. Real Madrid won 3 – 0, all three goals were scored within a span of 5 minutes. Ronaldo opened in the 58th minute, drew a foul that allowed Kaka to make it 2-0 on a penalty kick in the 61st minute and then scored the third in the 64th minute.

Gonzalo Higuain Vs Gabriel Heinze

Final Results of matches played on 30th September, 2009
CSKA Moskva 2 – 1 Be?ikta? JK
FC Bayern München    0-0    Juventus
FC Girondins de Bordeaux    1-0    Maccabi Haifa FC
Manchester United FC    2-1    VfL Wolfsburg
AC Milan    0-1    FC Zürich
Real Madrid CF    3-0    Olympique de Marseille
APOEL FC    0-1    Chelsea FC
FC Porto    2-0    Club Atlético de Madrid

It was the most anticipated match of the Champions League, not only because of the star teams but also the rivalry of ‘Ibra’ and Eto’o, who interchanged teams this season.

Samuel Eto'o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Inter gifted Lionel Messi and former teammate – Ibrahimovic too much space which Ibrahimovic almost utilized to give Barca the lead. Messi was in devastating form and virtually sprung to every corner of Inters’ half, giving a tough time to Chivu and Maicon.

Samuel Eto’o looked out of sorts with his new colours but the Cameroonian had chances to score. Wesley Sniejder came close to scoring only to be denied by the post. Julio Cesar was literally bombarded by Barcelona’s scoring efforts as compared to his counterpart.

The second half started with dynamism; Ibrahimovic was clean on goal but was incorrectly flagged offside. Seconds later, Sneijder missed an opportunity with a low shot from outside the area. Ibrahimovic squandered another superb chance created by a Xavi pass.

The electrifying match came to a close with both sides settling for equal share of the points.