Champions League 2012-13: The sixth matchday, Part I

The last matches of the Champions League had to make the final corrections on the team standings. There were only three tickets available for the next round of Champions League, while Europa League fight was still open in two groups. 

Read about matchday 1, matchday 2, matchday 3, matchday 4 and matchday 5

Group A

Dinamo-Dynamo 1-1 (Krstanovic-Yarmolenko)

The snowy weather was determined to cancel the match between two Dynamos, but the referee decided to get away with a 15-minute suspension. The Maximir stadium was covered in white, to witness the last match of the Croation champions in the Champions League 2012-13. An incredible goal by
Yarmolenko was very close to spoil the Croatian holiday, but on the 93^rd minute of the match the substitute Krstanovic earned a penalty and converted it. The Croatians had finally started to score in this Champions League, but the referee didn’t give them time to do so again. The Ukrainians will restart the European season in another League.

PSG-Porto 2-1 (Thiago Silva, Lavezzi-Jackson Martinez)

The central match of Tuesday had to determine
the winner of the group. The home side, lead by a temporary captain Thiago Silva, looked better, although Porto was not showing bad football. Thiago Silva’s header from a set piece and Lavezzi’s tricky goal earned the necessary three points for Carlo Ancelotti’s team. It was a pity for brave Helton to concede an unlucky goal after such a great performance in the Champions League group stage.  

Standings:

PSG 15

Porto 13

Dynamo 5

Dinamo 1

Group B

Olympiacos-Arsenal 2-1 (Maniatis, Mitroglou-Rosicky)

Arsenal ended the group stage with a traditionally unsuccessful trip to Greece, where Arsene Wenger’s team lost to Olympiacos. The Greeks, already in the Europa League, just wanted to make their troubled countrymen happier, whereas Arsenal could claim the victory in the group. The visitors were leading after the first half; the scoreboard showed an unusual name for current Arsenal – Tomas Rosicky. The home side, however, could turn the things upside down, scoring two in the second half and clinching the victory.

Schalke 04-Montpellier 1-1 (Hoewedes-Herrera)

The only team to give points to the French champions in this group stage was the eventual winner of the group. Without Huntelaar and friends, Schalke was very close to lose, but Montpellier missed all of its golden chances but one.

Standings:

Schalke 04 12

Arsenal 10

Olympiacos 9

Montpellier 2

Group C

Malaga-Anderlecht 2-2 (Duda (2)-Jovanovic, Mbokani)

After three great wins Malaga tied three to conquer the first place of its group. In this match, however, Pellegrini’s team could lose, if not their reserve goalkeeper Kameni’s inspiring performance. The Cameroonian made some unbelievable saves to secure a draw for his team. An elegant chip by Jovanovic and an 89^th minute goal by Mbokani was all Anderlecht could show in their last match of the European season. They earned 5 points in a group, where they were initially predicted to end up with much fewer.   

Milan-Zenit 0-1 (Danny)

Zenit never found its optimal game this season, but the mood went up after Danny was welcomed back from an injury and given the captaincy. The Portuguese made the last two matches of the Champions League group stage, where the Gazprom-sponsored Russian champions earned necessary points to qualify to the Europa League. Allegri’s Milan was typically boring.

Standings:

Malaga 12

Milan 8

Zenit 7

Anderlecht 5

Group D

Real-Ajax 4-1 (Ronaldo, Callejon (2), Kaka-Boerrigter)

The first minutes of the much showed Real’s motivation to beat the poor Ajax and eliminate them from European tournaments. Mourinho’s team devastated the Dutch champions, although they had no chances to win the group any more. Luka Modric set up the first two goals with his brilliant crosses. The third goal was scored by captain Kaka. Ajax, thanks to historical results of the English champions in Champions League, earned tickets to the Europa League, having conceded 16 goals in 6 matches.      

Borussia-Manchester City 1-0 (Schieber)

Juergen Klopp’s team showed its bench to noisy visitors from Manchester, and proved them why they were worthier to win this “group of death”. The only goal of the match was scored by young Julian Schieber, assisted by recovering Jakub Blaszczykowski. Roberto Mancini and his Manchester City keep on stealing the worst headlines of British newspapers. If last year they earned 10 points and were unluckily eliminated, this year the English champions couldn’t even enter the Europa League, registering three draws and three defeats.

Standings:

Borussia 14

Real 11

Ajax 4

Manchester City 3