Goals from Zvjezdan Misimovic, Christian Gentner and Edin Dzeko guided Wolfsburg to an emphatic victory in Turkey, although the German side have yet to secure their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League. The Bundesliga side threatened to run their hosts ragged in a blistering opening when they were rewarded with a goal by Misimovic but they had to wait until the final 10 minutes before they wrapped up victory with two further strikes.

However, they will have been grateful for Manchester United’s late equaliser against CSKA Moscow which means they hold a three-point lead in Group A over the Russians, who they visit in their next game before concluding their group campaign when they host the Premier League champions. (more…)

A solitary goal by Mauro Camoranesi was sufficient to guide Juventus to a narrow victory in Israel as they took another step towards the group stages of the Champions League. Camoranesi scored on the stroke of half-time but the Italians were not overly impressive against opponents who have yet to score in Group B, let alone take a point.

With Bordeaux winning at Bayern Munich, tonight’s result means Juve are four points ahead of the German team with two games to go with Bayern set to visit Italy in the final match.
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The pressure mounted on Bayern Munich coach Louis Van Gaal after his side lost at home to goals from Yoann Gourcuff and Marouane Chamakh, making qualification to the Champions League’s last 16 very difficult. Gourcuff struck in the late stages of the first half and Chamakh netted near the end to put Laurent Blanc’s side on 10 points and into the next round, six ahead of third-placed Bayern at the top of Group A with two games to go.

With Bayern also struggling in the Bundesliga Van Gaal needed a good result at the Allianz Arena. (more…)

Did that referee see something that nobody else saw?

Didier Drogba is set to return to Champions League action tonight against Atletico Madrid following his three match European suspension and UEFA President Michel Platini is thinking the Ivory Coast International will return stronger than ever.

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Not good news for Rafa Benitez as England International Steven Gerrard’s groin injury is still an issue, forcing the 29 year old to miss the trip to Lyon for Liverpool’s Champions League match on Wednesday.

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Ronaldo reacts after being fouled in a collision with Olympique Marseille Souleymane Diawara during their match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, September 30, 2009.

Cristiano Ronaldo will not be fit in time for Real Madrid’s trip to AC Milan in the Champions League next week, the La Liga club said on Wednesday. The Portuguese forward, who has been out since aggravating an injury to his right ankle while on international duty three weeks ago, had been targeting a return for the trip to Italy.

Ronaldo will undergo another test in a week’s time, Real said in a statement on their website. (more…)

Alexandre Pato saved the blushes of fellow Brazilian Dida with a brace as AC Milan stunned Real Madrid at the Bernabeu to get their Champions League challenge back on track and inflict only a second competitive defeat of the season on their big-spending hosts. For a while it looked as though Dida`s dreadful first-half error, which allowed Raul to give Madrid a half-time lead, would cost Milan dear but Pato popped up in the 88th minute to volley home his side`s winner and help the Italians bounce back from defeat to FC Zurich in their previous Group C match. (more…)