Champions League: Marseille 1-2 Milan, Juve 1-1 Bordeaux

So, it underway and both AC Milan and Juventus played tonight as they looked to cement an early foothold in the group stages. Milan headed to Marseille to a fierce Stade Velodrome while Juventus hosted Bordeaux.

Marseille 1-2 AC Milan
Milan took three points thanks to Pippo Inzaghi and Clarence Seedorf. Inzaghi was his usual menacing self as he volley home a Seedorf cross in the first half and then again applied a cool finish in the 75 minute with Seedorf again applying the ammunition. In between Gabrielle Henize leveled the tie with a header, but this was and remains a crucial win the Milan. Three points away to perhaps the third best team in the group should set Milan up for qualification. The two games against Zurich should yield six points for Milan, so you would fancy them to battle Real Madrid for the top spot in group C. Indeed, Real won away to Zurich 5-2 with Cristiano Ronaldo on the mark twice. Next up for Milan in FC Zurich at home on the 30th of September, so with Madrid up after that the game against Zurich remains a must win for Milan.

Juventus 1-1 Bordeaux
The Turin faithful will be disappointed tonight. After a blistering start to the season, they could only manage a point against French Champions Bordeaux. Juve were without Diego, Del Piero and Sissoko but in a tough group it was vital that Juve got off to a winning start. Juventus took the lead in the 63 minute through Vincenzo Iaqunita as Fabio Cannavaro assisted for Iaquinta to bury from the right side of the box. It looked as if this was going to be enough for Juve, and somehow Bordeaux keeper Rame managed to prevent it from being 2-0 to Juve when he scooped an Amauri header from off the line. Moments later, Juve were regretting the goalkeepers brilliance as Bordeuax equilised through Plasil. However, there were strong suspisions of offside. Juve went close in the closing stages as Marchisio hit the bar and Poulsen missed a sitter. For Juve this is disappointing as Bayern Munich now sit top of the group on three points after beating Maccabi Haifa 3-0 away from home. Bordeaux face the whipping boys next while Juve are away at Bayern in a massive game. A game that even in the early stages of the competition they cannot afford to loose. Its early days, and Juve can win anywhere on their day especially with Diego fit, but they will be disappointed with just the point.

A look at tomorrows games
In the game of the round Inter Milan face Barcelona, the current Champions of Europe. Where better for Inter to begin. If they can win at home tomorrow night it could kick start their campaign and give them the confidence they need to go all the way. Fiorentina interestingly travel to the same stadium in France, Gerland, that they began their campaign at last year to face Lyon. Fiorentina have been solid if unspectacular this year but tomorrows game represents a great chance stamp their authority on the group. With Liverpool expected to win at home to Debrecen its vital that Fiorentina do not loose to Lyon. A win over the direct rival for second place would be magnificent. Thats for tomorrow though.