UCL Round UP: AC Milan Through Juve Out

Hans-Jorg Butt

The story of last nights Champions League final group stage games was in Turin as Juventus crashed out to Bayern Munich.

The Bundesliga giants had to win to book their place in the last 16 and it looked ominous for Louis Van Gaal’s team when David Trezeguet scored his first Champions League goal in over two years 11 minutes in.

But when goalkeeper Hans-Jorg Butt kept up his miraculous scoring record against the Italians with a first-half spot-kick, the travelling Germans went for the jugular.

And it was their front two that inflicted the decisive blows in the second-half as first, Ivica Olic gave the visitors the lead, then strike-partner Mario Gomez added a third before Anatoliy Tymoshchuk sealed the priceless result in stoppage time.

Bayern now march into the next phase of Europe’s elite competition as runners-up of Group A, while the Old Lady must now settle for a place in the Europa League after finishing third.

AC Milan sneaked in the next round despite failing to beat FC Zurich as Real Madrid did them a favour in Marseille, while Manchester United‘s win in Wolfsburg allowed CSKA Moscow to progress at the Bundesliga club’s expense as they won in Besiktas.

Atletico Madrid secured third spot in the group despite slumping to a 3-0 defeat in the Vicente Calderon against Porto.

Chelsea started the evening safe in the knowledge they had already claimed top spot in Group D and a relaxed atmosphere in the stands seemed to filter down to the pitch as they scraped a draw with Apoel Nicosia.

Real Madrid progressed as Group C winners as they claimed an impressive 3-1 win on their travels to Marseille.

French champions Bordeaux were afforded the luxury of travelling to Maccabi Haifa already assured of top spot and their excellent campaign continued with a win.

Abdou Traore was the architect of their winner in Israel as his cross was converted by Bordeaux striker Jussi.

Posted on December 9, 2009 | Filed Under Football