Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi deservedly won the Champions League for Barcelona with a 2-0 win over Manchester United in Rome. Although United started well, it was Barca who dominated from their 10th minute opener before Messi put the game beyond doubt (70).


[Soccernet]

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has assured coach Jurgen Klinsmann of his job, even if they follow the loss against Wolfsburg last weekend with defeat by Barcelona on Wednesday night.

Wolfsburg, managed by the former Bayern coach Felix Magath, trounced the defending champions 5-1 on Saturday to leave them in fourth position in the Bundesliga with eight games remaining.

That defeat turned up the pressure on Klinsmann, whose side have yet to make it to the top of the table all season and who has had a rough ride for his entire nine months in charge so far.

However, the Champions League has hitherto been his saving grace with Bayern commanding the best record of all the clubs in the competition so far with an unbeaten record.

But even if that were to end at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night, Klinsmann can sleep easily, according to Rummenigge.

"Nobody at FC Bayern is even contemplating such a scenario," he said. "To say that if we get hammered there then the coach is gone is not the way we do things."

Even if Bayern fail to win the Bundesliga this season, Rummenigge promises that Klinsmann will still be in charge next season.

"He has a contract so of course," he told the Bild newspaper. "I don't like giving intermediary assessments. We don't have any other plan."

Rummenigge hopes that Bayern are still in the running for a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League after the first leg, but is not too concerned about the prospect of a heavy defeat at the Nou Camp.

He is counting on the atmosphere of the Allianz Arena and home advantage in the second leg to see Bayern through, whatever happens.

He said: "In Bern, there was a team on the field in 1954 which had just conceded eight goals and they still won the World Cup.

"We hope to get a result which can enable us to create a sensation in the second leg."

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich defender Daniel van Buyten will miss his team's Champions League quarter-final because of personal reasons, the club said on Tuesday.

"The team left on Tuesday midday without Van Buyten for the match against Barcelona," the club said on their website.

Van Buyten is the second central defender to be ruled out, after Brazilian Lucio picked up a muscle injury in Bayern's 5-1 defeat against Wolfsburg on Saturday and will be out for several days.

Coach Juergen Klinsmann is expected to rely on Martin Demichelis and 19-year-old Brazilian Breno, but also brought in Holger Badstuber from the reserve team.

Van Buyten, who had travelled back to Belgium to deal with family affairs days ago, briefly returned to Munich but left again shortly before the team was set to fly out.

[Soccernet]

Bayern carried on where they left off two weeks ago, inflicting a record 12-1 aggregate defeat on Sporting Lisbon to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Leading 5-0 from the first leg, a double from Lukas Podolski and Anderson Polga's own goal put them 3-0 up on the night within 40 minutes before Joao Moutinho pulled one back in stunning fashion.

It was the briefest respite for Sporting, though, Bastian Schweinsteiger hitting an immediate reply, before Mark van Bommel, Miroslav Klose (pen) and Thomas Muller netted in the second half.

The result was a record aggregate winning margin for a post-group stage Champions League game, surpassing Lyon's 10-2 demolition of Werder Bremen in 2005.

The scoring began in the eighth minute, Podolski combining well with Ze Roberto on the edge of the box after Bayern took advantage of a poor defensive clearance before hammering home from the edge of the box.

Bayern were rampant and Klose came within inches of making it 2-0 after 19 minutes.

Some slick Bayern interplay on the edge of the box ended with Van Bommel firing goalwards, though his strike was beaten away by Rui Patricio.

Klose pounced on the rebound but his effort grazed the post.

After 29 minutes, Schweinsteiger curled in a free-kick in and Philip Lahm, unmarked, stretched but could only deflect the ball wide.

A minute later another Schweinsteiger cross found Klose, who made a mess of his effort from close range.

The second finally came after 34 minutes, albeit in slightly farcical circumstances.

A long punt from the Bayern keeper Jorg Butt sailed through to the edge of the Sporting area.

It should have been simple for the visiting defence, but a horrible mix-up between Polga and and Patricio allowed Podolski to flick the ball over his head and into the empty net.

Polga's night got even worse 39 later when he scored an own goal, volleying Schweinsteiger's cross into his own net with what looked like assurity.

There was a brief hiatus in Sporting's embarrassment when Moutinho's classy strike arrowed into the far left corner three minutes before the break to reduce the arrears.

But barely a minute later, Christian Lell pulled the ball back for Schweinsteiger to sweep home, making it 9-1 on aggregate.

Bayern coach Jurgen Klinsmann made two changes at half-time, bringing on Jose Sosa and Breno for Ze Roberto and Lucio.

Perhaps inevitably with such a mammoth cushion, their intensity dipped and they failed to create the same amount of scoring opportunities after the break.

A fifth did arrive, though, in the 74th minute, substitute Muller's cross headed across goal by Klose for Van Bommel to control and fire home.

And Klose continued to pile on the woe for Sporting in the 82nd minute, picking himself up from a foul by Pedro Silva to convert the subsequent penalty.

Teenager Muller, making his Champions League debut, rounded things off in the final minute, poking home from Sosa's corner.

Werder Bremen came from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw with Cypriot newcomers Anorthosis Famagusta in Champions League Group B on Wednesday but it was not enough to prevent the Germans slipping out.

Werder's comeback at the end of a frantic second half only succeeded in denting the home side's hopes of clinching qualification for the last 16 at the first attempt, although they do still have a chance.

As it is, Inter Milan qualified with a game to spare despite losing 1-0 at home to Panathinaikos.

The second berth will be decided when Anorthosis travel to face Panathinaikos on the final evening of matches next month.

For the moment, Panathinaikos are second with seven points, while Anorthosis are third on six and Werder are bottom with four.

It was a cruel finish for Anorthosis, after they had taken control with the first moment of quality in a poor match.

It came in the 62nd minute when Nikos Nikolaou struck first time on the half-volley, low past Werder's stand-in keeper Christian Vander, as the ball drifted over from a corner.

Brazilian forward Savio added a second in the 68th minute, turning in from close range after a crossfield ball from the right.

Werder rarely threatened but they were given a lifeline when Diego lashed in from a penalty in the 72nd minute.

The Germans came pouring forward and got an equaliser they perhaps deserved when Hugo Almeida struck with a low volley.

Almeida was then handed a chance to revive Werder's season when he was put through on goal but the Portuguese shot straight at the keeper.

FLORENCE, Italy, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Tim Borowski scored a late goal to earn Bayern Munich a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina on Wednesday and put the Germans on the brink of the Champions League last 16.

The unmarked midfielder controlled a deflected Franck Ribery ball from the left and slotted in 12 minutes from time to give the visitors a barely deserved share of the spoils.

Romania striker Adrian Mutu had volleyed the home side in front in the 11th minute after Alberto Gilardino glanced on Luciano Zauri's cross from deep.

Bayern have eight points from four games and share the lead of Group F with Olympique Lyon, who beat Steaua Bucharest 2-0, while Fiorentina are five points behind in third with slender hope of going though.

"It was important to salvage a point at the end of the match," Borowski told Sky television.

"Now we're sure of keeping Fiorentina behind us."

The Italians, who lost 3-0 in Bavaria two weeks ago, enjoyed a good spell of pressure after going in front and Bayern keeper Michael Rensing produced two diving saves to repel Gilardino headers.

The visitors, without injured former Fiorentina striker Luca Toni, had more possession in the latter part of the first half, but failed to do much with it. Bastian Schweinsteiger blasted their best chance wide shortly before the break.

The Serie A side made a bright start to the second half, when Italy forward Gilardino overhit an attempted lob and had a powerful strike blocked by Rensing while Mutu headed over the bar from close range.

Borowski made them pay for their wastefulness and Miroslav Klose almost snatched it for the German champions shortly after the equaliser.

"We played well. We put a great team in trouble," Mutu said. "We were a bit naive. We should have wrapped up the game. We're paying for our inexperience in the Champions League."

Panathinaikos produced an away display to remember as they struck three times after half-time to clinch a Champions League Group B victory against Werder Bremen.

Henk ten Cate's side were irresistible after the break to breathe new life into their own campaign after they had managed just a single point before Tuesday night's match.
Vangelis Mantzios, who scored twice when the two teams drew 2-2 a fortnight ago, got the ball rolling with a goal after 58 minutes.

Pana captain Giorgos Karagounis then put the visitors two goals ahead after 70 minutes with a thunderous first-time strike from the edge of the area and Bremen's humiliation was complete seven minutes from time when Alexis Tziolis netted.

Pana now find themselves just a point behind second-place Anorthosis Famagusta, while Bremen, who are without a win in four games, are languishing at the foot of the table with three points.

The away side started the better with Karagounis at the heart of their best forward moves.

The free-kick expert quickly found his range from a dead-ball situation, forcing Tim Wiese into action with a save after three minutes.

At the other end Diego also gave warning of his threat with a quick turn a shot from the edge of the area that slid past the right-hand post.

From there the visitors settled the better with Karagounis pulling the strings from midfield.

The Greece midfielder almost gave his side the lead with an audacious 35-yard free-kick that hit the underside of the crossbar after catching Wiese too far off his line.

The Bremen goalkeeper was forced into a hasty retreat to try and get a hand to the lofted shot, but unable to do so he was relieved when the ball bounced down of the crossbar. The danger was not, however, completely over as the rebound fell to Mantzios, but his weak header allowed Wiese time to get to his feet and collect.

Bremen's best chance of the opening period also came from a free-kick when Claudio Pizarro's deflected header, from Diego's arrowed shot, produced a fine diving save from Mario Galinovic.

Pana had deserved to go into half-time on level terms and they upped their game further after the break with Karagounis shooting narrowly wide.

The away side got the goal they deserved after 58 minutes following a neat piece of skill from Mantzios.

The 25-year-old striker received a pass from Tziolis at the top of the area before some deft footwork enabled him to completely lose his marker and slide the ball in at the right-hand post.

Bremen showed little sign after going behind that they could find an equaliser and their hopes completely evaporated when Karagounis smashed in a stunning first-time shot from the edge of the area.

The veteran midfielder made space for himself from a throw before unleashing an unstoppable strike that flew across Wiese and into the far post.

Bremen now looked a deflated outfit and they suffered further misery with seven minutes remaining when Tziolis's shot from just inside the area was helped in with the aid of a defender.

Pana could have even had a fourth when Gilberto Silva rounded Wiese, but he took too long to shoot allowing Per Mertesacker time to clear.

Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann believes Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Lyon was a case of a point gained rather than two lost.

Bayern remained on top of Group F in the Champions League after the second round of matches after equalising Lyon's early goal in the Allianz Arena.

A strike from Ze Roberto in the 52nd minute cancelled out a Martin Demichelis own goal to leave the Bavarians on top of the pile with four points and unbeaten ahead of their double-header with second-placed Fiorentina.

"Of course we would have preferred to win the game, but it was not to be," said Klinsmann, who has come under pressure after a sluggish start from his team in the Bundesliga, where they lie ninth after winning only two of their opening six games.

"Nevertheless, I am happy with the team, both technically and for their engagement," Klinsmann added.

"Now we move on to the Bundesliga where we will try and correct things on Saturday."

Lyon coach Claude Puel praised his side for picking up their second successive draw in Europe and claimed there could even have been more in the game for his side.

"To get a draw was a good result tonight," he said.

"We had chances, but were not able to get the win, but we have made Bayern suffer, we were courageous and played with great intensity.

"I have always said that this group is going to be very, very tight and now we go to Bucharest and we can get a good result there."

While the French champions travel to the Romanian capital on October 21, the 2008 Bundesliga winners head for Florence and the former club of their striker Luca Toni.

MILAN, October 1 (Champions League) - Claudio Pizarro came back to haunt his former boss as he helped his team to a share of the points in a thrilling Champions League Group B clash at the San Siro.

Maicon fired Internazionale into an early lead in the 13th minute as the Nerazzurri attack threatened to overrun Werder Bremen.

But the Germans slowly began to get a foothold in the game and the hosts were made to rue their sackful of missed opportunities when Pizarro, who Inter boss Jose Mourinho managed at Chelsea, netted a deserved equaliser just after the hour mark and almost bagged a winner right at the death.

Inter, eager to erase memories of the weekend's derby defeat to AC Milan, began the brighter and almost got off to the perfect start as with barely 25 seconds on the clock Zlatan Ibrahimovic played a great cross into the box which Adriano controlled well on his chest, but the Brazilian's bicycle kick flew narrowly over the bar.

Minutes later it was Adriano's turn to provide his strike partner as he put a brilliant 40-yard crossfield ball into Ibrahimovic, but the angle was just too tight for the Sweden forward.

However, Inter, in fine attacking form did not have to wait long for their opener as, with the ever dangerous Adriano pushing forward, Frank Baumann's attempted clearance rebounded off his team-mate and into the path of Maicon who raced into the box before lifting the ball over the onrushing Tim Wiese.

Bremen searched for an equaliser two minutes later with their first chance of the match as Diego managed to squeeze a shot between two Inter players but his 20-yard effort was too weak and Julio Cesar made an easy save.

The visitors were beginning to get into the game and were practically camped in the Inter half but their lack of creativity meant they could not find a way past the Nerazzurri defence.

Inter looked more likely to score and enjoyed a series of half chances before Dejan Stankovic missed a glorious opportunity to double his side's advantage in the 37th minute, leaving him beating the ground in frustration.

One on one with the goalkeeper, the Serbia midfielder should have controlled Mario Balotelli's long ball better, but it ran away from him and by the time he reached it the angle was too tight.

The hosts were almost made to rue that opportunity seconds later as Pizarro came agonisingly close to levelling the scores.

Sebastian Prodl put in a great cross from the right byline which fizzed past the Inter defence and Pizarro seemed certain to score but the Peruvian hit the post from very close range.

The second half started as calmly as the first had been frantic with neither team creating any real opportunities.

However, Bremen had scored 10 goals in their previous two games and it was no surprise when they eventually found the back of the net, as a great ball from Prodl found Pizarro waiting at the back post and the on-loan Chelsea striker scored for the fourth game in succession.

Ibrahimovic almost netted a deserved goal seven minutes later as he dribbled into the area and tried to force his way through the Bremen defence but there were simply too many white shirts and Wiese was able to collect the ball.

The Swede should have helped the Nerazzurri secure all three points five minutes from time with a great ball which Julio Cruz was inches away from getting a toe to and an almost certain goal.

The San Siro faithful were left shaking their heads in disbelief again just seconds later as a super strike from Maicon curled towards goal but hit the outside of the post.

And they almost finished the game empty handed as, in injury-time, Cesar spilled Naldo's free-kick into the path of Pizarro but the Peruvian volleyed into the side netting.

MUNICH, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Bayern Munich put a nervous first-half display behind them to claim a 1-1 draw at home to Olympique Lyon in Champions League Group F on Tuesday.

Bayern, facing trouble on the domestic front after two successive Bundesliga defeats, gifted Lyon the lead when Martin Demichelis headed a Juninho free kick back past his own goalkeeper in the 25th minute.

The German champions had Franck Ribery back from his ankle injury and the Frenchman caused plenty of problems.

After several near misses they got the equaliser they deserved when Ze Roberto arrived late in the penalty area to head home a Miroslav Klose cross shortly after the break.

Bayern remain top of the group with four points from two games, followed by Lyon and Fiorentina on two and Steaua Bucharest on one.

"We had enough chances to win the game," Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann told reporters. "We would have loved three points instead of one but I think we're still well placed in Europe."

The return of Ribery for his first start of the campaign gave Bayern just the sort of unpredictable threat they have lacked in Klinsmann's first season as a club coach.

Ribery looked a constant danger as he buzzed around the Lyon penalty area but, sadly for Bayern, the forwards could not provide the finishing touch, with Luca Toni twice missing when through on goal after Lyon had taken the lead.

Ze Roberto finally provided the cool head they needed for a nicely worked equaliser but despite regular chances none of the forwards could match his poise.

Lyon were doing well just to hold on yet they very nearly snatched a winner, with Karim Benzema failing to get a shot on target after Philipp Lahm's mistake had given him a great chance five minutes before the end.