Champions League: Milan edge closer, Juve disappoint

AC Milan 1-1 Marseille
AC Milan made an excellent start in this one as Marco Boriello scored an excellent individual goal early on in the game to give Milan the lead. But, it did not take long for Marseilles pace and power to highlight some of Milan's defensive frailties, as Oddo was hopelessly outplayed down the left channel, and then Dida failed to clear a cross which lead to Lucho Gonazalez finishing emphatically. After that the first half became bitty, but in the second both teams had chances to win. Marseille hit the post twice and Boriello should have scored a free header from a Ronaldinho pass. 1-1 in the end. Milan travel to Zurich in the last round while Marseille host Real Madrid. Nothing is settled in this group, but if Milan win then they are through and would top the group if Real fail to win in Marseille.

Group C
1. Real Madrid 10pts
2. AC Milan 8pts
3. Marseille 7pts
4. Zurich 3pts

Bordeaux 2-0 Juventus
Juventus crashed to defeat to French champions Bordeaux tonight as they threw there place in the next round into jeopardy, as Bayern Munich defeated Maccabi Haifa to close the gap on Juve in second place. Bordeaux scored twice in the second half as a flat Juve failed to create anything of note to help their cause in second round qualification. Juve now have to avoid defeat to Bayern Munich at home in two weeks time to ensure qualification. First place is no longer up for grabs, so they, or Bayern, can only qualify as runners up.

Group A
1. Bordeaux 13 pts
2. Juventus 8pts
3. Bayern 7pts
4. Haifa 0pts

So, its pretty simple really. Fiorentina are through, so not much of a need to worry there. Juve simply need to avoid defeat to meet the second round, while Milan could qualify even if they loose in Zurich so long as Marseille loose as well. But, Milan should aim for the win, and if they do they may top the group so long as Real fail to win in France. As for Inter, so long as they draw no higher than 1-1 then they will be through, but a win again could see them top the group if Barca loose in Kiev. Lots of parameters, but the key is that all the calcio clubs are in qualifying positions come the final round. Thus, it is in their hands.


Final games
Tuesday 8th December
Juventus v Bayern Munich
FC Zurich v AC Milan

Wednesday 9th December
Liverpool v Fiorentina
Inter Milan v Rubin Kazan