Champions League
December 8, 2010
Both German teams managed to pull off wins in Tuesday's Champions League matches, as Werder Bremen blanked Inter Milan and Schalke beat Benfica.
With their 2-1 win, Schalke clinched the top spot in Group B, despite currently sitting down in 15th place in the Bundesliga.
Jose Manuel opened the scoring for visiting Schalke at 19 minutes. Schalke's second goal came closer to the end, as Benedikt Hoewedes doubled the lead in the 81st minute. The Portuguese side knocked one in three minutes from the end, but by then the match was decided.
"We only took our foot off the gas at the end of the game," said Schalke coach Felix Magath. "We knew we were through by then."
Satisfying, yet meaningless win
Bremen's 3-0 win over the defending champions Inter Milan, while significant, was ultimately meaningless.
With Tottenham Hotspur drawing 3-3 at Twente to win Group A, Inter progresses to the knockout stage as runners-up, leaving Bremen to enjoy their first, and only, win on their way out of the competition.
Despite being knocked out, Bremen still played a solid game. Sebastian Proedl scored the opening goal of the game at 38 minutes, and Marko Arnautovic took the match to 2-0 shortly after the break with a superb volley. Claudio Pizarro kicked in one last goal just two minutes from the end.
"We can be very pleased," said Bremen director of sport Klaus Allofs. "In the second half, the team went up a gear. Regardless of how tough the group was, it is annoying that we are no longer in the tournament."
Further results
In Tuesday's other matches, Olympique Lyon tied 2-2 with Hapoel Tel Aviv in Group B, while Manchester United drew with Valencia 1-1 and Bursapor tied 1-1 with the Rangers in Group C. In Group D, Barcelona blanked Rubin Kazan 2-0, while Copenhagen defeated Panathinaikos 3-1.
The Champions League continues Wednesday with games in Groups E, F, G and H. Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Olympique Marseille, Real Madrid and AC Milan are already assured of their place in the last 16.
Author: Martin Kuebler (AFP, dpa)
Editor: Andy Valvur