The good, bad and barely acceptable
Anyone who chose to watch Chelsea's clash with Marseille might be grumbling this morning about the Champions League group stage lacking entertainment but there was plenty elsewhere. Here's our take on the stars, flops and must-do-betters of matchday two, part one...
THE GOOD
Roma
Claudio Ranieri's side followed their first success of the season against Inter Milan on Saturday by defeating CFR Cluj, who beat them at the Stadio Olimpico two years ago, 2-1. Marco Borriello scored again for the improving Giallorossi, who are [3.15] to finish above Bayern Munich at the top of Group E.
Spartak Moscow
The Russian side's win away to Marseille in their opening group match would have counted for little if they'd messed up the easier task of beating MSK Zilina at home. They consolidated their position in style though, winning 3-0 to go six points clear in second, and are [1.48] to reach the last 16.
THE BAD
Sporting Braga
We called six of the eight Champions League games correctly in Tuesday's multiples, with Sporting Braga our most frustrating coupon-busters. They'd gone 23 unbeaten in front of their own fans, winning 21 and conceding only nine times, before their 3-0 humbling courtesy of Shakhtar Donetsk. Consequently, they're six points off the pace and [4.1] to progress.
Robinho
The Brazilian was hugely wasteful in his first start in the competition since leaving Real Madrid against Ajax, leaving little doubt as to which of AC Milan's big summer signings is proving more influential.
THE BARELY ACCEPTABLE
Bayern Munich
The German champions have won just four of their last eight and all of those victories were sewn up with goals scored in the 78th minute or later. Some will hail it as the mark of a great team, others will say they have been getting lucky. If you're in the former camp, back them at [16.5] to go the distance.
AC Milan
Many believed that the reason Inter Milan didn't challenge in the Champions League until last year was their overreliance on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and AC Milan already appear dependent. The Swede made it five goals in five games with the equaliser against his former club Ajax and is [8.6] to be tournament top goalscorer.
Disagree with our conclusions? Then shout us down in the box below...
Published: 29 Sep 2010
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