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UEFA CL: Champions' stutter in opening game
September 18th 2008 03:55
Wed, September 17:
Man Utd 0 - 0 Villarreal
Celtic 0 - 0 AaB
Steaua Bucuresti 0 - 1 Bayern Munich
Lyon 2 - 2 Fiorentina
FC Porto 3 - 1 Fenerbahce
Dynamo Kiev 1 - 1 Arsenal
Real Madrid 2 - 0 BATE Borisov
Juventus 1 - 0 Zenit St Petersburg
SUMMARY:
Reigning champions Manchester United started their defence of the European crown with a disappointing draw at home to Villarreal. Despite dominating for large periods of the game, United failed to convert their chances and not even the 62nd minute introduction of Cristiano Ronaldo could inspire the team to victory.
As a result, the Red Devils' 12-game winning streak on home soil in the competition was brought to an end by the Spanish club known affectionately as the "Yellow Submarines" who came close to stealing all three points when Guille Franco hit the woodwork. United, missing several key players - new signing Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes - through injury or suspension forced manager Sir Alex Ferguson to field a second-string midfield of Jonny Evans, Owen Hargreaves, Ji-Sung Park and Nani.
But the biggest problem remains United's inability to find the back of the net this season. Unless they solve that, which they will with Ronaldo gradually reaching peak fitness and Berbatov fully adapts to his new club, the club will have a tough second half of the season.
Meanwhile, Arsenal captain William Gallas rescued the Gunners with a late equaliser in their Champions League Group G game against Dynamo Kiev in the Ukraine. Ismael Bangoura scored from the penalty spot to give the home side the lead in controversial circumstances but the Gunners had themselves to blame for surrendering the lead with Adebayor, Van Persie and Fabregas all missing good chances.
The visitors had to wait until two minutes from full-time for their captain to bundle the ball over the line courtesy of a low cross from England forward Theo Walcott.
Elsewhere, wins were recorded for Bayern Munich, Porto, Juventus and Real Madrid.
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