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I bet a lot, and i make a lot of money in it, but i don’t like cup games for the obvious reasons. Pitting big teams against so-called-minows, whose only time for fame and fortune is when they play the big boys.

Before this season’s CPL, did  you know a certain Kazan, Rubin Kazan actually. I bet you did not.I certainly never heard of them until they made it to the league stage of Europe’s elite cup affair.

Well, whether you heard of them or not, they have come to the party in style. And the big boys better sit up because they will bite you in the ass. And that is exactly what they did to Barcelona yesterday at none other place than the Camp Nou. Not an easy task you would say, but they did it.

That game was not the only game in match-day 3. Infact, yesterday was war. Inter could not beat Dynamo Kyiv. For a full load-down of all group games yesterday, read on.

Fiorentina moved above Liverpool and into second place in Group E following a dramatic 4-3 win against Debrecen as the Reds went down 2-1 against Lyon at Anfield.

Six of the seven goals came in the first half in Hungary.

Peter Czvitkovics gave the hosts an early lead after converting a Jozsef Varga cross, but a fine finish from former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu soon levelled the game.

Mutu then turned provider for Alberto Gilardino who calmly slotted home after 10 minutes, with Gilardino returning the favour by setting up Mutu to drill home from outside the box shortly after.

Gergely Rudolf curled into the top corner to bring Debrecen back to 3-2 but a powerful left-footed shot from Mario Santana restored the Italians’ two-goal cushion just before the break to cap an incredible first half.

Adamo Coulibaly headed home for the hosts late on to set up a grandstand finish, but Fiorentina held on for the points.

In an incredible night of action, Barcelona suffered an amazing 2-1 home defeat to Rubin Kazan, while Inter Milan were held to a surprising 2-2 draw by Dynamo Kiev.

There is now a three-way tie for top spot in the group table, with Kazan, Barcelona and Kiev all on four points. Jose Mourinho’s Inter are rock bottom with only three points from their three games.

But the result at the Nou Camp will send shockwaves around the footballing world after Kazan pulled off one of the greatest upsets in club football history.

Aleksandr Ryazantsev gave the visitors a shock lead after just two minutes, picking up the ball and letting fly from 25 yards with a stunning drive that flew into the top corner – the fastest ever Champions League goal scored by an away team at the Nou Camp.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalised with his first Champions League goal for his new club early in the second half after being set up by Xavi.

But Gokdeniz Karadeniz finished off a superb breakaway move following a mistake in the Barcelona midfield late on to stun the reigning European champions.

At the San Siro, Taras Mykhalyk gave Kiev the lead after five minutes before Dejan Stankovic smashed home an equaliser for Inter on the half-hour.

An own goal from Lucio restored the visitors’ lead but a Walter Samuel header secured a deserved draw for the Italian side just after the break.

Sevilla eased past Stuttgart 3-1 and qualified from the group stages in record time following Rangers’ 4-1 defeat against Unirea Urziceni .

The Spanish side only needed Rangers to draw to go through after just three games, providing they were victorious in Germany.

Sebastien Squillaci headed the visitors into the lead after a fine cross from Adriano after 23 minutes – the defender’s first Champions league goal in more than five years.

Jesus Navas made it two with a right-footed shot after 55 minutes before Squillaci (72) headed home his second to restore the cushion.

Brazilian Elson pulled one back for the hosts only a minute later but it was never going to be enough to stop a rampant Sevilla securing their passage to the next round.

Arsenal have had their lead at the top of Group H reduced to just one point after their 1-1 draw against AZ Alkmaar and Olympiakos’ late 2-1 win against Standard Liege.

The Greek side looked in trouble when Liege took something of a surprise lead in the first half – Igor de Camargo slipping the ball past home goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolis after being put through by Milan Jovanovic.

But a free-kick from Luciano Galleti was headed in by Kostantinos Mitroglou to bring the hosts back on terms and a late winner by Ieroklis Stoltidis sealed the victory, and prompted some wild celebrations from the home crowd.

The Greek side are now just one point behind the Gunners in the group table.

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Guys, Champions League match-day 3 is suddenly upon us, and as a Red Devil, i am worried. I have never been to Moscow before, but i have seen endless pictures of the Russian capital, i imagine how cold it gets there and by implication, how difficult it can be to play football.

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When last was AC Milan beaten at home n Europe? I personally cannot remember, but hat was exactly what happened yesterday in match-day 2 of the Champions League. What a fall.

Below is a review of all the actions as they happened yesterday.

Juventus took a bit of a battering at the hands ofBayern Munich before coming away from the Allianz Arena with a goalless draw.

The home side had the best of the first half, with Franck Ribery going closest when he put the ball on the roof of the net after a mazy dribble through the defence. But it was Bayern goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt who made the best save of the half, a full stretch effort from Mauro Camoranesi.

The second half was not quite as lively as the first, although the home side again had the upper hand and Miroslav Klose missed the best chance of the game when he somehow put Ribery’s cross from the left wide of the goal from a central position.

Bordeaux left it late to beatMaccabi Haifa 1-0, with defender Michael Ciani heading home seven minutes from time. The Israelis finished with 10 men, as Baram Kayal received a straight red card two minutes from time for a foul on Benoit Tremoulinas.

Even before Manchester United had kicked off their 2-1 win over Wolfsburg , the other game in their group was already over.

CSKA Moscow beat Besiktas of Turkey 2-1 with two stunning goals, one in each half.

Alan Dzagoyev put his side in front early on with a delightful lobbed effort over Rustu in the Besiktas goal, before Serbian winger Milos Krasic ran from the halfway line, sidestepped a defender and shot straight under the keeper.

Ekrem Dag’s stoppage-time volley gave the travelling fans something to cheer but made little difference to the outcome of the game.

Group C saw the shock of the night, as Milan lost 1-0 at home to FC Zurich.

Former West Ham loan player Hannu Tihinen scored the decisive goal in the first half, with a cheeky backheel from a Milan Gajic corner.

Three goals in six second-half minutes – two of them from Cristiano Ronaldo – saved Real Madrid from any difficulty as they strolled past 10-man Marseille 3-0.

Ronaldo’s opener was a right-foot finish after a route one ball by Pepe, and Kaka doubled the lead from the penalty spot as Souleymane Diawara received a second yellow card for bringing down the former Manchester United star.

Kaka then turned provider as his one-two with Karim Benzema set up Ronaldo for his ninth goal since joining Madrid in the summer.

Chelsea made heavy going of their 1-0 win over Apoel Nicosia, with Nicholas Anelka’s first half strike proving the difference between the teams.

But Atletico Madrid’s poor start to the season continued as they conceded two late goals in a 2-0 defeat at Porto.

Madrid were forced to send on 18-year-old substitute goalkeeper David de Gea after 25 minutes when Roberto went off injured.

Tomas Ujfalusi and Juanito both failed to take good chances for the visitors, and at the end they were made to pay for it.

Having failed with two efforts in quick succession, Hulk passed to Falcao, who netted a back-heel from six yards out.

Nine minutes from time the same combination almost made it 2-0, but de Gea put Falcao’s effort behind for a corner. From the resulting kick, Bruno Alves hit the post and Rolando netted the rebound.

So Christiano Ronaldo has taken his goals tally to 9 since joining Madrid, you just have a feeling he is starting from where he left off at United.

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So the premier league is paused for the league cup this week. Yesterday,Arsenal beat West Bromwich Albion by 2 -0.

Today sees Chelsea take on QPR, while Manchester United tackle Wolves. It is this Man Utd match that gives me sleepless nights. Its not a premier league match, but equally very important as winning it brings some cash and of course the trophy swells your trophy cabinet.

Am scared because Man Utd have a habit of losing at this stage of  the competition, though this one will be different. Read below for some history.

MATCH PREVIEW

Manchester United have reason to be wary as they begin their defence of the Carling Cup. Despite winning the competition for the third time last season they have proved vulnerable in the third round, losing at this stage in ten of the last 25 years. Not that United will be lacking in belief, whatever side they select. Their stoppage-time victory over cross-city rivals Manchester City on Sunday was their fifth in a row. Wolves have only progressed beyond this round once in the last 12 years, despite not having faced a Premier League side since losing 5-1 at Arsenal six years ago. Wolves also have a dreadful record at Old Trafford, and only reached this round with a penalty shootout win at home to Swindon. However, Saturday’s victory over Fulham ended a three-match winless streak and saw the return of key players Michael Kightly and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head • This is the first League Cup meeting of these two clubs. Manchester United won their most recent clash by 3-0 in the FA Cup fourth round in January 2006. • Wolves last won – and scored – at Old Trafford in a top-flight game in February 1980. Manchester United • United have won their last five games in all competitions, and hold a 100% winning record in three matches at Old Trafford this season. • They have not been knocked out by a Premier League club since Chelsea won their semi-final tie in 2005. • Ryan Giggs is still looking for his 150th Manchester United goal, John O’Shea could make his 350th appearance for the club and Darron Gibson could face the club with whom he was on loan for most of 2007/08. Wolves • Wolves won the League Cup in 1974 and 1980 but since playing in the quarter-finals in 1996 they have only reached the fourth round once (2003/04). • It is 14 years since Wolves last eliminated a Premier League club; Coventry in the fourth round in November 1995. • Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and David Jones were both Manchester United trainees. United For Life Well, after all of our fears, United will beat Wolves today.

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I had my heart in my mouth as City equalize goal after goal scored by Manchester United. I knew the match was going to be very thrilling, but not  what we had today. It was a blockbuster and i was certainly very relieved when Michael Owen came on and scored the winner.

Before this math, two things were on my mind. We needed to get the maximum points but we also needed to confirm that we rule the city of Manchester when it comes to football.

If we drew or perhaps lost, Manchester City fans would have bragged that their big money spending were paying. But if you asked me though, i would tell you that Man City should now be taken very seriously in the premier league. But what a goal by Owen

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At last, we are going to watch action in the UEFA Champions league.

Personally, i believe this season’s competition is going to be very exciting for some reasons. For instance, Christiano Ronaldo has left Manchester United, and a couple of very new and small clubs have made it to the group stage of this season’s affair.

How about the fact that champions Barcelona are drawn in the same group with Inter Milan. Remember Barcelona telling Samuel Eto’o they don’t want him again, and offloaded him to Inter Milan with Zlatan Ibrahimovic moving the opposite direction? they play tomorrow, how will that turn out.

How about Christiano Ronaldo, the world’s most expensive player moving from Manchester United to Real Madrid, how will he perform in his first champions league match for Madrid? very exciting indeed.

Here below are  tomorrow’s matches.

Besiktas v Man Utd

Chelsea v Porto

FC Zurich v Real Madrid

Juventus v Bordeaux

Marseille v AC Milan

Wolfsburg v CSKA Moskow

Atletico Madrid v Apoel Nicosia

Have fun guys.

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In my last post, i did talk about Emmanuel Adebayo scoring against his former club, he not only score today but he also enjoyed himself.

Adebayo scored the third goal of their 4-2 rout of a harpless Arsenal. And i would say that Man City also played very well in the second half after a rather lack-luster first half.

I had earlier said that the traditional top four in the English Premier League were under a real threat from City, and they have started looking like the team that spent well in the transfer market.

Okay, so they have beaten Arsenal, let’s wait and see how they cope when they play Champions Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool during the season. They are really getting their money’s worth.

Just to remind you guys that Chelsea also won today to maintain their 100% start to the season, Malouda scoring deep in injury time to give the Blues all three points at Stoke who played valiantly.

Win also for Liverpool 4-0 at home to Burnely with Benayoun scoring a hat-trick.

What a season this is turning into, and we are hardly into it.

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A not so convincing display, but nonetheless, the win secures 3 vital points for United, and puts the first dent on the Gunners otherwise cool start to the season.

But one just wonders what might have been the outcome had the penalty not been given, or Diaby’s late own goal. Anyhow, somebody had to win the match and i am glad that it’s Man Utd that won it.

Other results of note are that of Spurs’ 2-1 win over Birmingham to keep their 100% start to the new season, their best in years.

Liverpool finally came good today beating Bolton by 3-1, delight for Benitez, and of course Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Burnely. End of a fairytale two weeks for Burnely you would say.

Rooney's moment

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I don’t think i have the stomach for what we are about to witness this evening at the Nou Camp. Barcelona lay siege and we should expect anything and everything from them. The likes of Lionel Messi, who for me is the single biggest threat in tonight’s encounter, will make life very difficult for Ferdinand and Co. in the Man Utd defense.
Yesterday we saw Liverpool score 2 goals to literally give Chelsea the advantage going into the second leg of that tie. Or how would you describe a situation where Kuyt scored a goal, and Riise canceled it out for Chelsea. An own goal is always very painful, and i know how Riise must be feeling by this morning. I still feel that Liverpool can, and will still win through to the final.
Back to what we have at hand, Barcelona V Man Utd at the Camp Nou.
I hope Christiano Ronaldo can deliver, and that Rooney can keep his cool today and convert at least 1 of the chances that will beg at him. He missed so many scoring chances at Blacburn last weekend.
Guys, my heart is panting. But i know that if we keep our cool, we might even win this match today. Happy watching.

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By now everybody should know that we Man Utd beat Roma 2-0 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome to take a commanding lead into the second leg of the tie, and thus a leg already into the semi-final.
The scoreline did not actually surprise me, Man Utd is in that kind of form right now, although Roma is also playing excellent football in the Italian league too.
What also did not surprise me is the fact that Christiano Ronaldo scored again. I think the opening goal he scored was his 36th goal of the season in all competitions this season. This guy is just incredible, and i won’t bet against him scoring 40+ goals this season. Poor Roma, they get roasted yet again by Man Utd.
Just a word for the other game between Schalke and Barcelona, well Barca won by a lone goal scored by Borjan. This despite their poor LaLiga form this of late.
Tomorrow will be hectic, with Arsenal hosting Liverpool and Chelsea travelling to Fenebache, it promises to be explosive. Well, that’s for them. We have done our bit and are virtually through, Bravo Red Devils

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