UEFA Champions League - Gameweek # 4 - Tuesday - Review

Tuesday was not one of those exhilarating nights of the Champions League. It wasn’t a night that people will remember for years to come. But to get to nights like that

games like the ones on Tuesday night are essential. Juventus were held by Real Madrid in Turin. Manchester City were dominant in their performance while their

neighbours Manchester United got held to a goalless draw. Here is the review of all the action

JUVENTUS 2—- 2 REAL MADRID

The age old cliche , a game of two halves would be the ideal way to describe the match in Turin. Juventus were absolutely brilliant in their first half performance.

They kept knocking at the door while dominating the midfield. Carlos Tevez started in a wider role and looked very menacing. Madrid for their part did well to hang on

for majority of the half. Iker Cassilas proved his class with a couple of amazing reflex saves. However Madrid continued their recent trends of giving away penalties.

Paul Pogba was brought down by his compatriot Raphael Varane. Aturo Vidal dispatched the penalty ruthlessly.

Whatever Carlo Ancelotti said in the changing rooms worked miracles. Madrid came back razor sharp after the half and the £166 Million duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale both struck to put Madrid 1-2 up. That silenced the home support only very briefly as Llorente headed past Cassilas to draw Juventus level. And as the game wore on, the Italian tendency of both managers came to the fore and they settled for the draw. Juventus dropped to bottom of the group as FC Coppenhagen shocked Galatasaraay in Denmark. However the Italian Champions will be happy because a win for the latter would have meant a much worse position

Man Of The Match - Paul Pogba. Why oh why did Sir Alex Ferguson ever let him go. In a midfield contigent of Pirlo, Alonso, Marchisio, Modric, Vidal and Khedira , it was the young Frenchman who caught the eye. Though he wore off a bit in the second half.

MANCHESTER CITY 5—- 2 CSKA MOSCOW

It was a satisfying performance in many levels for Manchester City. This match started in bitter circumstances as CSKA had accused Man City of over-reacting to monkey chants aimed at Yaya Toure in the reverse fixture. The apalling stance of the Russians only made this victory sweeter for Manchester City. They put three past their opponents in the first half. Aguero was sharp with his touch and finish. First he slotted in a penalty and then finished low into the bottom corner to put City 2-0 up before Negredo tapped in a third. But Doumbia’s lovely goal after he skipped past the goalkeeper gave CSKA brief hope.

Alvaro Negredo soon restored the 3 goal cushion by grabbing his second just after the break. However a penalty given away by Clichy saw Doumbia score again. Negredo completed his hat trick in stoppage time and thus ensured that Man City have all but progressed to the round of 16 for the first time in the UEFA Champions League.

Man Of The Match - Alvaro Negredo. The Spaniard looks to be edging Edin Dzeko out of the race to be Sergio Aguero’s strike partner.

REAL SOCIEDAD 0—- 0 MANCHESTER UNITED

This result will probably be remembered for Van Persie’s penalty miss, Fellaini’s red card and Ashley Young’s dive but it was yet another minor step for David Moyes into getting settled combinations. The manager’s case was helped by a goalless draw for Shaktar against Leverkusen, leaving the group exactly the same way as it started but Manchester United had only themselves to blame for not scoring. Chance after chance was wasted. Javier Hernandez missed a glorious chance after which the substitute Ashley Young squared the ball for Van Persie who hit the post.

Then Young took a tumble in the box and the referee was conned and pointed to the spot. Justice was done as Van Persie’s penalty rattled the post. And then United probed and probed till Fellaini picked up his second booking of the night . Sociedad offered little threat to David De Gea’s goal and the two sides amicably settled for a point each. It was not the prettiest but Moyes will take it considering the valuable rest that his key players (Rooney , Van Persie, Carrick, Evans all who are likely to start on Sunday) gained enough rest ahead of the Arsenal game.

Man Of The Match - Shinji Kagawa. The Japanese is finally getting into his elements. He was bright in the first half and was mercurial when moved into the central role after Rooney’s withdrawal. He really needs to get his shooting right and then he’d be a real menace.