Our fifth week of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) Fantasy Game came to a close, with an English side finally clinching a place in the knock-out stages. Hats off to Arsene Wenger, then, with Arsenal’s win over Dortmund just one of eight fixtures we’re running the rule over…
FC APOEL
The attacking stats (37% of possession and just one shot all game) do the Cypriot champions no favours but, right now, do they care? Not in the slightest. In arguably the most competitive group of all, FC APOEL have exceeded all expectations by becoming the first team from Cyprus to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages with a 0-0 draw away at Zenit St. Petersburg.
Unbeaten in all three games on the road, victories in both home games so far, APOEL’s resolute display and adept work off the ball was exemplified by the likes of Nuno Morais last night, with 10 recovered balls and a clean sheet handing the defender an 8 point Fantasy haul. People often mock the boring and predictable nature of the Champions League group stages but APOEL have ripped up the form book and proved the doubters wrong, clinching a place in the last sixteen with a game still to spare.
Robin Van Persie
It’s more a case of “how many” whenever the Dutchman takes to the pitch these days. Dortmund arrived at the Emirates in strong form last night but Arsenal continued their recent resurgence by sweeping aside the Bundesliga champions. Alex Song deserves a mention, dancing through the away defence to set up the hosts’ opener but Van Persie, once again, stole the show with both his side’s goals in the 2-1 win. The Gunners skipper played the full ninety minutes last night but will have until Saturday dinnertime to recover, with a 5.30pm kick off against Fulham next on the agenda.
Didier Drogba
The big Ivorian was once again chosen to lead the line ahead of Fernando Torres. Having started against Liverpool last weekend, Drogba vindicated his selection last night by firing the Blues ahead at Leverkusen. Andre Villas-Boas’ side once again came unstuck, though, and are anything but certain to progress to the knockout stages. A goalless draw or win at home to Valencia in the final group match is now required but given their defensive woes, nothing seems certain right now for the out of sorts Blues.
Roberto Soldado
Pretty much the whole Valencia team got in on the action last night as the Spanish side sliced through Genk like a hot machete through butter. Roberto Soldado provided the cutting edge, grabbing a hat trick inside the first thirty-six 36 minutes to return a 13 point Fantasy haul half-time whistle. Team mates Pablo Hernandez (11), Costa (12) and Jonas (12) all picked up substantial hauls and have helped their side’s chances of qualification no end. By our calculations, with the Valencia goal difference now suitably amped up, they can qualify for the next round with a score draw away at Stamford Bridge next Matchday.
Lionel Messi
A night of heavy sparring between the European heavyweights of AC Milan and Barcelona ended in a narrow victory for the visitors in a five-goal San Siro thriller.
The indomitable Clarence Seedorf teed up Zlatan Ibrahimovic to open the scoring against his old club- one he had talked about a fair bit in his recently released book. Kevin-Prince Boateng made that seem a distant memory with this cracker of a goal for the home side.
A Mark Van Bommel own-goal made Barca’s task a little easier before a re-taken (with yellow card in-between for a stuttered run up) Lionel Messi penalty made it two. The Argentine was then given license to provide when he threaded a pitch perfect pass through a tunnel of Milan defenders to find Xavi, giving the reigning champions the last goal needed for victory. Thirteen points in five games and Barcelona are home and hosed at top of the group.
Hulk
The Brazilian striker’s fourth goal of the campaign helped Porto to a 2-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk that subsequently knocked their hosts out of the Champions League. FC Porto are back in the picture ahead of their final home fixture at Estádio do Dragão – Zenit St Petersburg will visit needing just a draw while the Portuguese side have to win in order to qualify. Fireworks will be expected in about two weeks from now – be it on the pitch or in the skies of Portugal. With Hulk having failed to score in only one of his games so far, the smart money’s on him producing yet again.
Ioannis Fetfatzidis
Arsenal’s victory over Dortmund meant Marseille needed just a point at home to Olympiakos. Having conceded a single goal in the Champions League prior to yesterday, the scene was set for Group F to be done and dusted with one Matchday to go. The Greek visitors had other ideas, though, and with ten minutes remaining, royally upset the party when substitute Ioannis Fetfatzidis drilled home from fifteen yards out. Marseille are still in pole position for second spot, though- victory in Dortmund in the final group stage match would ensure qualification.
Marek Bakos
With Barcelona and Milan already through in Group H, BATE could have secured the third place Europa League spot with victory over Viktoria Plzen. Marek Bakos had other ideas, though, scoring his, and Plzen’s, second goal of the campaign in a 1-0 away win. If BATE fail to win in Barcelona next time round -there’s a very strong possibility this will be the case- Plzen will seal that third place.
