Round of 16: Leg 1, Day 1 Results

Inter's Marco Materazzi (of Zidane headbuttee fame) is harshly sent off in the 30th minute after his second yellow card for transgressions against Liverpool forward Fernando Torres.

Schalke 1-0 Porto

Porto did not rekindle the magic of their last visit to Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen - the site of their CL title win in the 2004 final - in falling to home side Schalke 1-0 on Tuesday night. The Germans, spurred by an enthusiastic crowd of 54,000, came out at a furious pace in their first ever appearance in the Round of 16 and played like CL veterans in creating most of the chances of the match. The Royal Blues scored the lone goal of the night in just the fourth minute of play when German international striker Kevin Kuranyi rifled in the rebound off Porto keeper Helton's punch save of a massive Rafinha strike. Towards the end of the match, Schalke finally showed some fatigue as Porto gained some tantalizing opportunities for the equaliser, but the Germans will be happy travelling to Portugal for the return leg with the advantage.


Liverpool 2-0 Inter Milan

A beleaguered Liverpool side, hammered by the constant controversy of three months of poor performances, saw its chances at CL redmeption dramatically uplifted when Inter's bad-boy Italian defender Marco Materazzi was sent off with a red card in the 30th minute after receiving two yellow cards for questionable fouls against the Red's star striker Fernando Torres. In particular, the second yellow seemed dubious as replays showed little-to-no contact on the play, and many will postulate that Materazzi's reputation tipped the scales against the Nerazzuri defender. Now sensing a real chance to defeat red-hot and favored Inter Milan, the Kop was in a full throated frenzy imploring their side to capatilize on their man advantage. Despite their reputation as an attacking juggernaut, Inter fell into a defensive posture by necessity and were admirably able to hold Liverpool to a precious few chances for most of the match. However, with 6 minutes left, the Reds were finally able to break through the stalemate when Dirk Kuyt deftly one timed a Jermaine Pennant cross off of defender Maicon and just past keeper Julio Cesar. The last (and potentially tie deciding) damage was done when Liverpool's fabled captain Steven Gerrard fired home a strike from the upper right corner of the box just past the far post. Anfield errupted in ecstasy as their beloved Reds returned to the European form that has taken them to two of the last three CL finals.


Olympiacos 0-0 Chelsea

On a frigid night in Karaiskakis Stadium, Athens -- the site of snow just days before -- Olympiacos and Chelsea battled to a goalless draw in a match which lacked attacking flow on either side. One of the biggest surprises of the night occurred before kickoff with Chelsea manager Avram Grant's announcing his lineup would start with captain John Terry and midfield talisman Frank Lampard on the bench. As the first half progressed it became clear Olympiacos, appearing in the Round of 16 for the first time in 9 years, were not over-awed by the experience of their star-studded opposition. Led in midfield by fan favorite Ieroklis Stoltidis and Serbian captain Predrag Djordjević the Red-Whites answered Chelsea's methodical possession football with quick counter attacks. One can only wonder how the frenzied Greek crowd would have responded had a goal been scored. Chelsea will be happy occupying the driver's seat as the tie heads to Stamford Bridge, London in two week's time.


Roma 2-1 Real Madrid

Plucky host side Roma earned a hard-fought come from behind win at Stadio Olimpico, Rome on Tuesday night against La Liga leaders, Real Madrid. The visiting Merengues took the early lead in just the 8th minute when a powerful Guti strike deflected off Raul and past Roma keeper Doni. But the Giallorossi were up to the task and grabbed the equaliser in the 24th miniute when Madrid defender Heinze's weak clearance set up a David Pizarro strike from distance. The undisputed hero of the night was free-wheeling Brazilian midfielder Mancini who delivered the game winner for the Roma faithful in the 58th minute when, after receiving a beautiful pass from captain Francesco Totti, he deftly sidestepped the charging Spanish keeper Iker Casillas and slipped the ball into the back of the vacant net. As a result the Giallorossi will carry a slender advantage with them as they travel to the Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid on Wednesday, March 5th.