Do More With Reuters
Partner Services

WRAPUP 2-Soccer-Bayern revive hopes as Juventus lose

Thu Nov 26, 2009 4:53am IST
 
Email | Print | | Single Page
[-] Text [+]

* Bayern must beat Juventus away to qualify

* Pedestrian win for Real Madrid

By Brian Homewood

LONDON, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Bayern Munich, in danger of an early Champions League exit, revived their chances of reaching the last 16 when they beat Maccabi Haifa 1-0 and rivals Juventus lost at Girondins Bordeaux on Wednesday.

AC Milan missed a chance to qualify with a game to spare when they were held 1-1 by Olympique Marseille while Real Madrid put one foot in the second round by beating FC Zurich 1-0 with a pedestrian performance on Cristiano Ronaldo's return from injury.

Manchester United, already through to the second round, lost a 23-match unbeaten home record in the tournament as they were beaten 1-0 by Turkey's Besiktas at Old Trafford -- one of only 12 goals in eight games on an uninspiring night of football.

With no additions to the list of teams already qualified -- Girondins Bordeaux, Olympique Lyon, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Porto, Fiorentina and Sevilla -- eight more places will be at stake in the final round of matches next month.

Bayern's fate was largely out of their hands as they kicked off knowing that a win for Juventus against already qualified Bordeaux would send the Italians through.

Facing a team who had not scored a point or goal, Bayern did their part when Croatia's Ivica Olic tapped in the winner from a rebound in the 62nd minute for their only goal in three home group games.   Continued...

A Greek flag at the Bank of Greece is seen near a statue of ancient philosopher Socrates in Athens February 5, 2010.  REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis/Files
Greek crisis sets euro zone enlargement back

The Greek debt crisis has dealt a setback to prospects of enlarging the euro zone by highlighting the difficulties of managing the single currency area.  Full Article