England and Spain had a good night in the Champions League on Tuesday as each country saw two sides progress to the knockout stages.
Titleholders Manchester United went through on the back of a 0-0 draw with Villarreal, which also qualified, as Celtic’s dreadful away record continued with defeat against Danish side Aalborg.
Arsenal put their recent woes on and off the pitch behind them by going through after a 1-0 win at home to Ukrainian league leaders Dynamo Kiev, with Nicklas Bendtner scoring the only goal.
The 2004 Champions League winners FC Porto also progress courtesy of a 2-1 win against Fenerbahce in Istanbul.
Spanish giants Real Madrid ensured they reached the knockout stages by edging a 1-0 win against Belarus side BATE Borisov.
Also through are seven-time French champions Lyon – which beat Fiorentina 2-1 – and Bayern Munich, after they eased past Steaua Bucharest 3-0.
United and Villarreal fought out a pretty sterile draw – the fourth time both sides have ended up 0-0 in the Champions League.
But Sir Alex Ferguson was happy with the result even though his team had a one-man advantage for the last eight minutes after Joan Capdevilla was sent off.
”I thought we deserved better out of this match,” said the Scot, who has guided the team to two Champions League trophies in his time in charge.
”I was satisfied with the second-half performance and I felt that Villarreal were just happy to get the draw.”
The livewire Scot’s comments were backed up by Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Lopez. ”We wanted to qualify and the draw helps us do that so we have to be happy,” said Lopez.
”We played well and a big plus tonight was the defence.”
Ferguson’s bitter rival Arsene Wenger looked a relieved man after his Arsenal team had ensured their place in the knockout stages after last week’s shenanigans had seen William Gallas stripped of the captaincy for criticising his teammates and then a desperate 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
Wenger praised both the new skipper Cesc Fabregas and Gallas, who even had the ball in the net at one point but it was ruled out for being offside. Nicklas Bentdner ensured they took all three points with a late goal.
”Cesc was very good for me. He was focused for 90 minutes and worked hard defensively and offensively,” Wenger said. ”It wasn’t easy in midfield. Overall he had a very good game.
”William’s focus was great. He wanted to do well and you could see he was completely committed. I was very happy that the fans responded in a positive way to him.”
However, Wenger said he hoped that this victory would prove pivotal to the Gunners season.
”It is the first step for us. What the team needs is reassurance and at least we have that now,” he said.
Wenger may have been having a hard time of it of late but nothing compared to German Bernd Schuster at Real Madrid, so he too was happy to be sure of seeing the meringues in the next phase.
”It was really important to gain a place in the knockout phase today,” the German said.
”It could be difficult for us to play two important matches against Barcelona [in the Spanish league] and Zenit so closely in December.”
”And of course Juventus helped us a lot with their draw with Zenit.”
Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann also has his problems as German international striker Lukas Podolski wants a move.
He believes he is not getting the chances he deserves, but his international teammate Miroslav Klose was on form, scoring twice and creating another.
”We are very, very happy,” said ex-Germany coach Klinsmann who is in his first season with the German giants.
”On the one hand, we are happy that we are through with a game left to play. And we are also happy, because the team is just getting better and better with each game.
”We have had the feeling for the last six weeks the team is improving steadily and building momentum. To qualify is a good achievement in itself.” – Sapa-AFP