ANKARA- The four teams top their Groups E-H, Arda lifts Atletico Madrid in the clutch
ANKARA– The four teams top their Groups E-H, Arda lifts Atletico Madrid in the clutch
Arsenal, Schalke 04, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona were in the winning camp on Tuesday as the Champions League continued with the second set of matches in Groups E to H.
The quartet have taken control of their respective groups with six points apiece in two matches, while Dortmund and Chelsea bounced back from losses to get their first points.
Arsenal defeated Napoli 2-0 thanks to the new star Mesut Ozil’s brilliant play in the first 15 minutes, scoring one at 8′ and preparing the other for Olivier Giroud at 15’.
Atletico Madrid was having a tough time against Porto before Arda stepped in at 86′ and turned around a game that looked headed for a draw, as Madrid won 2-1 to take the helm in Group G.
Barcelona ground past an adamant Celtic 1-0, while Schalke trumped Basel with Julian Draxler’s breath-taking half-volley a bit over the half-way point.
Wednesday will see Galatasaray take on Italian giants Juventus in what Turkish fans will keenly follow as the first test for the Lions’ new coach Roberto Mancini, only days after he came in.
Anticipation is high for former Milan and Manchester City manager to more than make up for his lack of rapport with the team through his broad experience in Italian football.
The game will take place at Juventus Stadium in Turin. The other group match will pit Real Madrid against Denmark’s FC Kopenhagen in the Spanish capital Madrid. Both games will kick off at 20:45 CET.
Standings in Group B after first games:
| Clubs | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid CF | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| FC Kopenhagen | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Juventus | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Galatasaray AS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
