Celtic 2-3 Barcelona
Barça saved their best match of the season for the opening leg of their tie with Celtic at Celtic Park, Glasgow. The Blaugrana dominated the proceedings in all-phases of the game but particularly with a blisteringly creative attack that featured all of the 'Fantastic Four' - Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi, and Thierry Henry - for only the second time this season. Despite Barcelona's complete control of the flow of play it was Celtic who scored first when a defensive mix-up left Lee Naylor with the ball at the top of the box to cross for a Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink header into the back of the net. But Barça immediately replied when Lionel Messi scored off a brilliant give-and-go with the crafty and on-form Portugese playmaker Deco. Against the run of play it was Celtic who again took the lead with a Barry Robson bloop header just over keeper Victor Valdes' outstretched hands in the 38th minute. Once more Barcelona had an answer when, in the 52nd minute, Ronaldinho intercepted a pass and fed Henry who glided into the Celtic area and delivered a deadly strike just inside the far post. Young Argentine wunderkind Messi bagged the brace when he scooped up a muffed Stephen McManus clearance and cooly drilled it into the back of the net to give Barcelona the win and the decided advantage as the two teams face again at Camp Nou, Barcelona in two weeks time.
Lyon 1-1 Manchester United
The first half of the match at Stade de Gerland was a high-paced, tightly-contested, 0-0 affair where Lyon controlled much of the play, but both clubs had decent chances on net. First blood was deservedly drawn by OL in the 9th minute of the 2nd half when high-voltage French striker Karim Benzema unleased a bolt from the edge of the penalty area into the bottom left corner of the net. Sir Alex Ferguson responded by sending in young CL new-comers Nani and Carlos Tevez, and the manager was rewarded in the final 3 minutes when the Argentinian Tevez hammered home the equalizer from close range when a Nani cross was unintentionally deflected in his direction by Fred. United will like their chances as the tie heads back to Old Trafford in a fortnight.
Fenerbahçe 3-2 Sevilla
A frigid night at Sükrü Saraçogluin Stadium, Istanbul ended on a high note for the raucous Fenerbahçe faithful. Mateja Kežman opened the scoring for the Turks in the 17th minute with a nifty header off a Uğur Boral cross. But the equaliser came within minutes when a Dani Alves cross defected off outstretched Brazilian defender Edu's leg for an unfortunate own-goal. The fireworks continued in the second half when the Yellow Canaries' Argentine defender Lugano headed in yet another beautiful cross from Uğur Boral. But once more the visiting Sevillistas had a quick answer when Diego Capel's corner was head flicked by Christian Poulsen to Julien Escudé who slammed in a point-blank goal for the equaliser. Late substitution fan-favorite striker Semih Şentürk gave the home crowd the result they craved with a strike in the final three minutes to snatch Fenerbahçe the advantage over the Spaniards as the tie heads to Sevilla.
Arsenal 0-0 Milan
Although ending in a goalless draw, Arsenal and Milan provided plenty of action for the crowd at Arsenal Stadium, London. Milan's newly acquired Brazilian starlet Alex Pato proved to be an electric attacking addition to the aging veteran side, while the combination of Arsenal's Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Spanish playmaker Cesc Fabregas created a host of chances for the youthful Gunners. Perhaps it is Rossoneri keeper Kalac who deserves man-of-the-match status as he kept the relentless Arsenal attack out of the net time and time again in a stellar performance. Though failing to score the all-important away goal, Milan has to be happy with the draw as the return leg travels to the San Siro, Milan.
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