Arsenal FC hold the advantage at the midway point of their last-16 tie with AS Roma after Robin van Persie’s first-half penalty inflicted another dose of travel sickness on the Serie A side. Roma have now suffered six successive defeats on English soil although they may feel relieved to have lost by just the one goal given the clear chances that Nicklas Bendtner and Emmanuel Eboué missed in the second half to extend the Gunners’ lead.

Arsenal probing
After a frustrating run of results in the Premier League, Arsène Wenger was hoping this tie would bring the best out of his Arsenal players and they certainly started on the front foot. After six minutes Samir Nasri’s cross provided Bendtner with a shooting opportunity but the Danish forward’s heavy first touch took the ball away from him allowing Marco Motta to make the block. Nasri then got his head to a Gaël Clichy centre from the left but failed to direct the ball goalwards. Arsenal kept probing and Van Persie came close when latching on to Abou Diaby’s ball over the top only for Doni to save at his feet.

Motta denied
Injuries had forced Roma coach Luciano Spalletti to field two defenders with only two UEFA Champions League appearances between them. Yet this pair, right-back Motta and centre-back Simone Loria, both came close to scoring in the opening quarter. In the 17th minute, Motta surged forward down the inside-right channel and unleashed a rising drive that Manuel Almunia did superbly to tip over at full stretch. Loria then volleyed over from close range after Totti’s free-kick had picked him out unmarked.

Van Persie Strikes as Arsenal Reel in Roma … read more »

Thierry Henry scored on his return to France to cancel out Juninho Pernambucano’s early free-kick, as FC Barcelona came through a severe test against a vibrant Olympique Lyonnais side and will take a narrow advantage into second leg of their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie.

Contrasting halves
Having suffered a surprise defeat against RCD Espanyol on Saturday, Josep Guardiola’s men were hoping for a reassuring performance against the French champions but quickly found themselves under intense pressure. After Juninho’s majestic set-piece on seven minutes OL created several more chances, Karim Benzema notably failing to convert a one-on-one and later striking a post. They would live to rue those misses as the visitors gradually improved, Samuel Eto’o also hitting the woodwork before Henry eventually found a way through on 69 minutes.

Familiar strike
These two sides found the net 32 times between them in the group stage so it came as little surprise to see the deadlock broken inside seven minutes. The source of the opener was also familiar as Juninho registered the 43rd free-kick goal of his Lyon career and one of his most spectacular. Positioned close to the left touchline, the Brazilian curled the ball superbly over goalkeeper Víctor Valdés, who had advanced slightly anticipating a cross, and into the top corner.

Henry Header Brings Barça Reward … read more »

Lisandro took his UEFA Champions League tally to six goals for the campaign as FC Porto twice came from behind to earn a well-deserved draw against Club Atlético de Madrid.

Helton error
Maxi Rodríguez got the hosts off to a perfect start in the Spanish capital with a third-minute opener, but from then on the Portuguese visitors held sway. Having already had one effort chalked out, Lisandro equalised midway through the first half and, though a Helton error allowed Diego Forlán to restore Atlético’s lead just before the interval, the Argentinian striker was not to be denied the limelight.

Early blow
The away goals could prove crucial in a fortnight, an invaluable return considering that, from when defender Fucile picked up a knock in pre-match training, it never looked like being Porto’s night. Cristian Săpunaru came in at right-back, but it was on the opposite flank that the visitors initially struggled as competition debutant Cissokho was made to pay for drifting inside on three minutes. The lapse allowed Maxi Rodríguez to latch on to a well-weighted ball from Sergio Agüero and fire in his third goal of the campaign.

Lisandro Keeps Atlético in Porto’s Sights … read more »

FC Internazionale Milano and Manchester United FC will resume acquaintances at Old Trafford on 11 March with their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie in the balance following an eventful but goalless draw in Milan.

César saves
The visitors will feel more aggrieved having not produced the away goal their dominance deserved but the rare profligacy of Cristiano Ronaldo combined with the exceptional goalkeeping of Júlio César prevented the European champions from taking a commanding first-leg lead away from the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The draw, however, was enough for United to set a new record of 20 games unbeaten in the competition.

Ronaldo chances
Inter’s fans unveiled a banner of a snake, their club symbol, as the players took to the field, but it was United, and Ronaldo in particular, who showed more bite during a one-sided first half in which the Portugal international had no fewer than seven goalscoring chances. Ronaldo drew Cristian Chivu into a foul inside 60 seconds and fired the subsequent free-kick straight at César. Four minutes later the goalkeeper was again forced into action, repelling Ronaldo’s powerful header from Ryan Giggs’ corner. Ronaldo did beat the Brazilian custodian soon afterwards, but his long-range effort, from another free-kick, fizzed just wide.

Brilliant César Keeps United at Bay … read more »

“It’s time to kill or be killed,” said Cristiano Ronaldo as Manchester United FC looked ahead to meeting FC Internazionale Milano in the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League.

‘Better team’
As the business end of the competition begins, the Portuguese winger insists there is no margin for error, especially against a side as powerful as the Italian champions. “From now on, all games are important,” Ronaldo told uefa.com. “It’s time to kill or be killed. Whoever loses will exit the competition and we don’t want to lose, we don’t want to get stuck along the way. It will be a difficult game, but I think that Manchester United have a better team, and we’ll do our best to win it.”

Inter strength
Inter have won the Scudetto for each of the past three seasons and are on course to do so again, but despite dominating Italian football in recent years they have been unable make their mark in Europe. It is 44 years since they last lifted the European Champion Clubs’ Cup and Ronaldo believes United’s experience of winning the competition last season will give them the edge.

All Or Nothing For Cristiano Ronaldo … read more »