Champions League round-up

Real Madrid, Inter, Barcelona and Sevilla impress

Lorna Danion rounds up the rest of the Champions League action this week involving clubs with Portuguese players.

Group B
Chelsea won Group B by a clear four points thanks to a goalless draw against Valencia at Stamford Bridge. Paulo Ferreira played 72 minutes for the Blues, while Miguel started but was replaced by Manuel Fernandes for the visitors, who face the humiliation of bottom place in the group and elimination from all European competition.

Group C
There were contrasting fortunes for the clubs of two of Portugal’s current internationals, with Pepe’s Real Madrid winning Group C but Hugo Almeida’s Werder Bremen missing out on the knockout phase.

Brazilian-born defender Pepe had his blushes spared late on in Madrid’s victory after he gave away a penalty in their match against Lazio, but goalkeeper Iker Casillas was on hand to make the save. Julio Baptistia, Raul and Robinho got the goals for the hosts as Real ran out 3-1 winners against the Italians.

Bremen, meanwhile, had to settle for the Uefa Cup after going down 3-0 to Olympiakos in Greece. The result flattered the hosts, but despite introducing Almeida in the 67th minute when trailing 1-0, the Germans could not get the win they needed to progress.

Group E
Barcelona confirmed themselves as winners of Group E by coming from behind to beat Stuttgart 3-1 at the Camp Nou.

The visitors, who were captained by Fernando Meira, took a surprise early lead through a stunning free-kick from Antonio, but Barca levelled on 36 minutes when Ronaldinho robbed Boka and crossed for Giovanni to turn the ball in from close-range.

Meira was culpable for Stuttgart conceding again twelve minutes into the second half. The experienced centre-back was caught in possession on the halfway line by Xavi, who found Samuel Eto’o and the fit again striker produced a clinical left-footed finish.

Barca, who rested Portuguese international Deco, got their third through Ronaldinho. Brazilian left-back Sylvinho did well on the left to cross for Ronaldinho to convert from five metres.

Group G
Inter were winners of Group G after a 1-0 win at Dutch champions PSV, who will enter the Uefa Cup with a third place finish.

Julio Cruz scored the only goal at the Phillips Stadium for unbeaten Inter, who did not select youngster Vitor Pele in the match squad. David Suazo was the provider, skipping through a PSV defence that did not include Manuel da Costa, before laying the ball off to Cruz to tap in.

Group H
Sevilla were comfortable winners in the Czech Republic as three goals in the last twenty minutes saw them win 3-0 at Slavia Prague to claim top spot in Group H.

The first goal came when Italian midfield Enzo Maresca fed the ball through to former Porto striker Luis Fabiano, who finished superbly. The Brazilian then turned provider following good work from Diego Capel, with Fabiano pushing the ball in to Freddie Kanoute to finish calmly.

Portuguese winger Duda started on the bench but, having come on for Kanoute late on, set up the final goal during a rapid Sevilla counter attack from defending a corner. Duda carried the ball into the opposition half before releasing Dani Alves on the inside-right of the area, with the Brazilian thumping in from a tight angle.