Champions League Wed Review

Inter and Barcelona scrapped to a 0-0 draw while Arsenal fought back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Standard Liege.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto'o were both kept under wraps by their former team-mates as Inter Milan held Champions League holders Barcelona to a goalless draw at the San Siro.

The quick return of the two strikers to their old clubs dominated talk in the build-up to the match, with Barca having this summer given Inter 46 million euros (over £41million) plus Eto'o in exchange for Ibrahimovic.

The Swede was much more involved than his Cameroon counterpart as treble winners Barca spent large parts of the game going forward, but neither player, nor anyone else for that matter, was able to find the breakthrough as defences came out on top.

The result means Dynamo Kiev top Group F after they scored three goals in the final 20 minutes to beat Champions League debutants Rubin Kazan 3-1.

The Russian champions stunned their hosts when they took the lead against the run of play through Alejandro Dominguez's free-kick.

Dynamo's frustration grew as they toiled deep into the second half in search of a reply, but once Ayiila Yussuf made the breakthrough, goals soon followed from Junior Gerson Magrao and Oleg Gusev to secure victory.

Arsenal also came from behind, fighting back from going 2-0 down inside five minutes to triumph at Standard Liege in their Group H opener.

Fans had barely taken their seats when Eliaquim Mangala smashed a low drive into the bottom corner to give Liege a shock lead in just two minutes and moments later William Gallas was adjudged to have tripped Milan Jovanovic, who stepped up to send rookie goalkeeper Vito Mannone the wrong way.

Arsene Wenger's men fought back superbly with a well-taken goal from Nicklas Bendtner on the stroke of half-time, before Belgium international Thomas Vermaelen bundled in an equaliser and Eduardo completed the revival 10 minutes from time.

View: Champions League Wednesday Gallery

Olympiacos, who named Zico as their new coach tonight in succession to Temuri Ketsbaia, also got off to a winning start thanks to Vassilis Torosidis' 79th-minute header which was enough to see off AZ Alkmaar.

Lyon triumphed by the same result over Fiorentina at the Stade Gerland but the Italians can only have themselves to blame for the defeat.

A red card for Alberto Gilardino in stoppage time of the first half allowed Lyon to impose themselves on the game after the break and Miralem Pjanic scored the winner in the 76th minute.

Elsewhere in Group E, Dirk Kuyt's 12th goal in 35 Champions League games gave Liverpool a slender 1-0 victory over Hungarian champions Debrecen.

Meanwhile, Sevilla comfortably saw off Unirea Urziceni 2-0.

With their opponents defending in numbers, Sevilla made hard work of the first half before Luis Fabiano opened the scoring in stoppage time.

Renato added a second for the hosts in the 70th minute and they were rarely troubled by a Unirea side who are playing in the competition for the first time.

The Spanish outfit top Group G following Rangers' 1-1 draw against Stuttgart.

Madjid Bougherra rescued a point for the Scottish champions in the 77th minute after Pavel Pogrebnyak had opened the scoring in the 18th minute.

Round-up of the games

Liverpool 1-0 Debreceni

Lyon 1-0 Fiorentina

Inter 0-0 Barcelona

Dynamo Kyiv 3-1 Rubin

Stuttgart 1-1 Rangers

Sevilla 2-0 Unirea

Olympiacos 1-0 AZ

Standard Liege 2-3 Arsenal

Giggs : I will not play on till 40

Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs wants to move into coaching once his playing days are over.

The 36-year-old winger is still very much part of Sir Alex Ferguson's plans but the Welshman knows his playing career is possibly coming to an end despite his willingness to carry on.

The Daily Mirror reported, "I know football is my life and I will look for another challenge in the game,

"What I do accept, though, is I'm not going to be playing at 40 and when my body tells me I can't sustain playing at this level any more I know it will be time to call it a day,"

Signaling his intent to continue being involved in the game, Giggs also revealed his biggest regret in an otherwise illustrious career spanning over two decades.

"I don't consciously think about finishing my playing career but at the same time it's important to make the necessary adjustments for when it eventually arrives.

"I have done my coaching courses and would like to stay in the game in some capacity.

"But if you are asking me if I have a direct plan of action when I retire, I couldn't say one way or another.

"I feel as good as I have been because I don't play as much. When I do play I feel a lot more refreshed.

"It's about getting the balance right so you can sustain your career.

"I've been lucky that since my career began I have had sustained periods of rest.

"Playing for Wales, we never qualified for a major championships, which I deeply regret, but it has helped me as I got older."

Giggs also touched on his change in mentality when it comes to winning and losing games.

"I do deal with it totally differently now," he said. "When I was younger it would take me an age to get over it.

"It hurts as much now but you get over it quicker. When you're a younger player you think it's the end of the world.

"As you get older the recovery period accelerates because you need to move on quicker. But it's down to character.

"Some players get over defeat quicker. I'm one of the elder statesmen now so I assist players if I feel it's needed.

"I used to sit at the back of the coach when I was younger and feel it was the end of the world. The likes of Bryan Robson and Steve Bruce would always pick me up so I try to do the same for other players.

"When you're playing for Manchester United winning is the be all and end all. It's the only thing that counts.

"Nothing else matters. There are great expectations and pressure to sustain success but it comes with the territory and you deal with it."

The evergreen winger was also determined to quash rumours that things are going downhill at United since the departure of stars like Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"The club won't stand still because players have left," he said. "We will continue to evolve under the manager and maintain our challenge for silverware.

"People are making a far bigger thing about it outside of the club than we are.

"Obviously Cristiano was a world class player and will be missed but how many times have players left United and we have been written off only to prove the critics wrong?

"I have seen many great players come and go over the years but the drive and determination to succeed remain the same.

"You can never underestimate the manager because as I have discovered over the years he always seems to come up with the answers."

Barcelona Will Beat Inter - Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The Swede has cranked up the war of words between the two clubs by saying that he already knows who will win when they meet next week.Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has insisted that the Catalan giants will beat Inter at the San Siro in next week's mouth-watering UEFA Champions League clash.

Ibrahimovic said that although he admires Inter, Barcelona are the stronger side.

"We have better players, we play a much more beautiful style of football, possessing the ball and we always play on the attack," stated the Swedish superstar.

"We practice a far more offensive game than Inter. That makes us better, and I have no doubt we will win. I know we will. We are stronger," he continued.

Despite these claims, Ibrahimovic also said that he is looking forward to returning to the San Siro for the first time with his new club.

"I cannot wait to return to my old stadium with a different shirt. It will be very exciting," he claimed, before admitting that he was relieved to score his first goal for the Blaugrana against Sporting Gijon last week.

"I can't deny that it has taken away some of the pressure, but I knew I would score some time," he added.

Fergie: Eduardo ban will send message

Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson claims Eduardo's two-match European ban for diving will have got the "message across".

The Gunners are to appeal against UEFA's decision, which the Premier League club feel has "obvious errors" and was a "deeply flawed" ruling.

European football's governing body opened disciplinary proceedings against the Croatia international for "deceiving the referee" when he went down in the penalty box during last week's Champions League qualifier against Celtic at the Emirates Stadium, despite there appearing to be no contact with goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

Referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez awarded the spot-kick, which Eduardo converted himself to set Arsenal on their way to a comprehensive 3-1 win and into the lucrative group stages.

However, Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith was quick to call for action against the Croatia international, set to face England in their World Cup qualifier at Wembley next week.

UEFA subsequently began an investigation, which Gunners boss Arsene Wenger lambasted as a "witch-hunt" and resulted in the decision to ban Eduardo for two matches.

Wales manager John Toshack has hit out at the suspension, maintaining "a very dangerous precedent has been created".

Ferguson, though, believes the whole saga may actually help clamp down on the controversy of simulation.

"Quite rightly something should be done. You hope that message gets across," said Ferguson, speaking to the media following a UEFA Elite Club Coaches Forum in Nyon, Switzerland.

Ferguson, though, believes Wenger is right to defend Eduardo, who has just come back from a year out with a broken leg.

"I wouldn't say it publicly but I wouldn't be pleased if it was my player who did that," the United manager added.

"When you make a public criticism of your players you are in danger of losing the morale of the dressing room.

"Your job is to protect the dressing room and keep it solid.

"You become insular and protective of your own players in your team. We're all selfish that way."

However, Ferguson feels education is the way forward to eliminate the concept of diving from the game.

"Not one coach is proud of the fact that they have players who simulate to get decisions," the Scot added.

"Coaches can't be proud if they have won the game that way. I certainly wouldn't be.

"We all agreed that education is the best way forward, from youth teams through to first team players.

"We all have a responsibility, particularly the players of today, on how it impacts on young people."

Should the ban be upheld, Eduardo would be forced to miss the opening two Champions League group matches, away at Standard Liege on September 16 and the home encounter with Olympiacos on September 29.

"Stars don't always win trophies"

UEFA president Michel Platini has warned Real Madrid against assuming their player signings will automatically result in success.

Madrid have spent 250million euros this summer on superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema as part of returning president Florentino Perez's plan to get the Spanish giants back to the top of the football tree.

However, as was the case when Perez was previously in charge of Madrid and his expensively-assembled 'Galacticos' endured a spell without any major trophies between their title triumphs in 2003 and 2007, Platini warned that bringing in so many world-class players does not necessarily guarantee silverware.

"Perez wants to win everything and that's what he has signed so many stars...but we will see what happens in May, when the final of the Champions League is played in Madrid," Platini was quoted as saying in Marca.

"The history of football tells us that the great players do not always win the tournaments."

Platini this summer reiterated his concern at the amount of money being spent in the transfer market, admitting after Ronaldo's world-record move to Madrid that he was "embarrassed" how any club could spent 90million euros on a player.

Marca also spoke to Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson about Madrid's summer spending.

Ferguson believes that with so much talent on show the Bernabeu is sure to be in for some entertaining nights, although he pointed out that it is still early days under new coach Manuel Pellegrini.

"Of course these great players are going to assure good football and they will provide great days for the fans. The only thing is that Pellegrini still has to mould a team," said Ferguson, who was also asked about his relationship with the Spanish giants, which has not always been great over the years.

Ferguson said: "I don't believe in everything that this Real Madrid represents, although I respect them."

Chelsea to appeal 'unprecedented' bans

Chelsea have criticised FIFA's transfer ban as "disproportionate and extraordinary" and pledged to launch the strongest possible appeal.

FIFA's dispute resolution chamber found the English club guilty of inducing winger Gael Kakuta, 18, to breach his contract with French club Lens and banned the Blues from registering any new players for the next two transfer windows.

But Chelsea are astonished by the ruling, both in terms of the ban and the financial punishment, and in a brief statement the English club said they would be launching "the strongest appeal possible".

A statement from the club read: "Chelsea will mount the strongest appeal possible following the decision of FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber over Gael Kakuta.

"The sanctions are without precedent to this level and totally disproportionate to the alleged offence and the financial penalty imposed.

"We cannot comment further until we receive the full written rationale for this extraordinarily arbitrary decision."

Lens requested compensation for Kakuta as well as calling for sanctions to be imposed on the FA Cup holders and FIFA's DRC agreed that Chelsea had indeed been guilty of inducing the youngster to break his contract and announced their verdict in a short statement.

"The French club had lodged a claim with FIFA seeking compensation for breach of contract from the player and requesting also sporting sanctions to be imposed on the player and the English club for breach of contract and inducement to breach of contract respectively," said FIFA.

"The DRC found that the player had indeed breached a contract signed with the French club. Equally, the DRC deemed it to be established that the English club induced the player to such breach.

"As a result the player was condemned to pay compensation in the amount of EUR 780,000, for which the club, Chelsea, is jointly and severally liable, and sporting sanctions were imposed on both the player and Chelsea in accordance with art. 17 par. 3 and 4 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.

"A restriction of four months on his eligibility to play in official matches is imposed on the player Gael Kakuta while the club Chelsea is banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the two next entire and consecutive registration periods following the notification of the present decision.

"Furthermore, Chelsea, has to pay RC Lens training compensation in the amount of EUR 130,000."

Kakuta, a skilful left-winger, is viewed as one of Chelsea's most promising young players. He ended his first season as top scorer in the youth side and was voted the academy's player of the year. However, last February his season was ended by a double fracture of his ankle.

Meanwhile the club's chief executive Peter Kenyon has hailed the new contracts signed by Ashley Cole, John Terry and Didier Drogba.

Kenyon says the new deals were a key part of Chelsea's summer activity and hinted that England midfielder Joe Cole would be next to sign a contract extension.

The Blues made only one big signing this summer, with Russian Yuri Zhirkov arriving from CSKA Moscow for £18million - and the new deals for their top stars could become even more important in the wake of FIFA's decision to ban the club from signing new players.

Kenyon insists that the new long-term contracts signed by Cole, Terry and Drogba are as important as signing three world-class players.

"We've concentrated very hard this summer in retaining the players we have. Inevitably in a transfer window it is all about who you bring in but we shouldn't overlook who we have got," said Kenyon.

"If you look at Drogba, Terry or Cole, they are world-class players that could walk into any other team in Europe and I am delighted that we have retained them."

And Kenyon believes Joe Cole will be next. He has been out of action since January following knee ligament damage and his current contract expires next June.

"Joe is just back in training and we are all delighted to see that. We want - and he wants - to remain at Chelsea."

Chelsea hammered by FIFA ban

Chelsea have been hit with a stunning transfer ban by FIFA which will prevent the club signing any new players until January 2011.

The London club have been found guilty of inducing French teenager Gael Kakuta to breach his contract with previous side Lens.

FIFA's dispute resolution chamber (DRC) today announced Chelsea will be banned from registering any new players for the next two transfer windows - effectively January 2011 will be the next time they can make a new signing unless they win an appeal.

A FIFA spokesman told Press Association Sport: "This decision confirms our aim to ensure contractual stability. It is an important ruling for football in general."

Chelsea have been ordered to pay £115,000 (130,000euros) training compensation to Lens, and are also liable for the £680,000 (780,000euros) compensation sum ordered against Kakuta himself, who is banned from playing any games for four months.

Kakuta, 18, joined Chelsea from Lens two years ago after which the French club lodged a complaint with FIFA asking for compensation and for sporting sanctions against the London side.

FIFA said in a statement: "The French club had lodged a claim with FIFA seeking compensation for breach of contract from the player and requesting also sporting sanctions to be imposed on the player and the English club for breach of contract and inducement to breach of contract respectively.

"The DRC found that the player had indeed breached a contract signed with the French club. Equally, the DRC deemed it to be established that the English club induced the player to such breach.

"A restriction of four months on his eligibility to play in official matches is imposed on the player Gael Kakuta while the club FC Chelsea is banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the two next entire and consecutive registration periods following the notification of the present decision."

Chelsea have the right to appeal against the decision and take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

Given the severity of the punishment, it is almost certain the club will take that course of action.

Kakuta, a skilful left-winger, is viewed as Chelsea's most promising young player. He ended his first season as top scorer in the youth side and was voted the Academy's player of the year.

His second season was brought to an abrupt end in February by a double fracture of his ankle.

Chelsea have at least signed a number of their key existing players up on to long-term contracts, with Ashley Cole, John Terry and Didier Drogba all agreeing new deals recently.

Chief executive Peter Kenyon says the new deals were a key part of Chelsea's summer activity and hinted that England midfielder Joe Cole would be next to sign a contract extension.

"We've concentrated very hard this summer in retaining the players we have. Inevitably in a transfer window it is all about who you bring in but we shouldn't overlook who we have got," said Kenyon.

"If you look at Drogba, Terry or Cole, they are world-class players that could walk into any other team in Europe and I am delighted that we have retained them."

Kenyon is confident Joe Cole will be next. He has been out of action since January following knee ligament damage and his current contract expires next June.

"Joe is just back in training and we are all delighted to see that. We want - and he wants - to remain at Chelsea," Kenyon added.

Chelsea are not the first club to have been punished in such a way.

Roma were also given a ban for two transfer windows following defender Philippe Mexes' move from Auxerre in 2004.

Roma appealed to the CAS and had the ban cut to one transfer window.

If the same situation was repeated it would mean Chelsea being unable to sign players until next summer.

Barcelona suffer Bojan setback

Bojan Krkić is a major doubt for FC Barcelona's UEFA Champions League Group F opener away to FC Internazionale Milano after tearing his left thigh in Monday's 3-0 Liga victory over Real Sporting de Gijón.

Liga opener
The 19-year-old headed in Barça's first league goal of the season after 18 minutes at Camp Nou but was substituted ten minutes from time after picking up a knock. The early prognosis suggests the forward will be sidelined for between 15 and 20 days, meaning a race against time if Bojan is to line up at Inter on 16 September. "We want to get [Bojan] back fit as soon as is possible because we need him," coach Pep Guardiola said. "I feel he has made a step up this season. He's a very intuitive player and I have a lot of confidence in him." Defender Maxwell, meanwhile, was taken off after eleven minutes of the second half because of a left thigh strain, but early indications suggest the injury is not serious.

Two match ban for Eduardo

Eduardo has been banned for two matches by UEFA for diving to win a penalty against Celtic in a Champions League qualifier.

UEFA announced on Tuesday that their control and disciplinary body had suspended the Croatian international "for deceiving the referee".

Eduardo will miss Arsenal's Champions League group matches away at Standard Liege on September 16 and the home match with Olympiacos on September 29.

The Gunners have three days to lodge an appeal.

UEFA said in a statement: "The UEFA control and disciplinary body today examined the case of the Arsenal player Eduardo 'for deceiving the referee' during the UEFA Champions League play-off second leg match on August 26 against Celtic, and has suspended the player for two UEFA club competition matches."

Eduardo went down midway through the first half of the Champions League qualifier despite there appearing to be no contact with Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

Referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez awarded a penalty, converted by Eduardo who was subsequently condemned by Celtic.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger last week branded UEFA's decision to charge Eduardo with diving a "complete disgrace" and accused them of staging a "witch-hunt" against the striker.

Wenger said: "I find it a complete disgrace and unacceptable. We won't accept the way we have been treated in this case for two reasons.

"I believe that you can debate whether it was a penalty or not. For me it's a witch-hunt that we see and not an objective judgement of a case.

"This charge implies there was intent and a desire to cheat the referee. Having watched the pictures again there was nothing conclusive.

"It singles out a player in Europe to be a cheat and that is not acceptable. UEFA has taken action that is not defendable."

Arsenal this evening released a statement on their website condemning the "arbitrary" nature of UEFA's decision.

It read: "The club is disappointed with UEFA's decision to suspend Eduardo for two Champions League matches starting with Standard Liege on September 16.

"We have been informed that we will receive a "reasoned decision" from UEFA by Thursday of this week.

"Once we receive UEFA's rationale, we will make a decision on the next steps.

"We have been deeply frustrated by the perfunctory and apparently arbitrary process that UEFA has followed in this instance.

"We believe it is imperative that UEFA's explanation for its decision provides clear and comprehensive standards that will be consistently enforced.

"It is also critical that UEFA provides specific details of the processes it plans to adopt in reviewing all games under its jurisdiction."

Robben hopeful of Real reunion

Arjen Robben is looking forward to the possibility of meeting former club Real Madrid in this year's Champions League.

Robben quit Real Madrid for Bayern Munich last week after finding his first team opportunities at the Bernabeu limited.

And the winger wasted no time in sending a message back to the Madrid club as he scored two goals in his debut for the Bavarian giants.

Following his star performance the former Chelsea man spoke to Marca about the possibility of playing against the Merengues in the Champions League.

"It would be great to meet them in the Champions, if I scored two goals against Real Madrid it would be fantastic" he said.

Still, Robben insists there is no bad blood between him and the Spanish capital club: "No, I do not bear any grudge. That has nothing to do with it, it would be very beautiful to meet my former team-mates.

"I spent great moments with them. Playing against them in the Champions League and beating them would be strange."

Terry agrees to extend Chelsea stay

Chelsea FC have been handed a major boost with news that captain John Terry has signed a contract extension that ties him to the west London outfit until 2014.

Commitment
The England skipper was already under contract until 2012 but had been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in the summer, with Manchester City FC reportedly keen to acquire his services. The 28-year-old centre-back, however, has now reaffirmed his commitment to Carlo Ancelotti's side by agreeing a new five-year deal.

Fine start
Capped 54 times by his country, Terry graduated from the Blues' youth academy and has already represented the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League finalists 276 times in the Premier League, scoring 17 goals. His announcement will raise spirits further at Chelsea, who have made a fine start under Ancelotti, winning their first four Premier League fixtures. They begin their latest tilt for European glory against FC Porto on 15 September.

Ferguson preparing for torrid time

Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that Man United face a grueling test in the Champions League after suffering a tough draw in the group stage.

The Red Devils have been drawn in Group B, and will have to travel far and wide to Besiktas in Turkey and CSKA Moscow as well as German champions Wolfsburg.

The finalists of last term seem to have suffered the most difficult draw of all the Premier League clubs involved, who all were fortunate enough to avoid Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter and AC Milan.

Ferguson is not a fan of long away trips in Europe, and he told the club's official website: "These are difficult ties especially the trips to Russia and Turkey.

"CSKA have developed strongly in the last few years and games in Turkey are always difficult.

"We also know the quality that we're up against with Wolfsburg, with what they achieved in the Bundesliga last season."

Ferguson's mood will not have been lightened by the knowledge that United face two major Premier League clashes after their long trips - they are at home to Manchester City after travelling to Turkey and away at Liverpool four days after their Moscow journey.

David Gill admitted the draw could have been kinder to United.

He told Sky Sports News: "I think pot four was the interesting one, I think most clubs would have preferred not to get the German champions out of that, but we got it.

"But overall we have to be happy with it and look forward to starting in three weeks. Besiktas away, long trip first one, but we will see where we go from there."

United would have preferred to have avoided a trip to Istanbul first up, while a lengthy trek to Russia lies ahead when they face CSKA.

Gill, though, is adamant the Red Devils will have no problem coping with travelling to far-flung destinations and admits the club are looking forward to heading back to Moscow - the scene of their 2008 triumph.

"I think you can get psyched out by that sort of thing," he said.

"We are in the competition and we will get on with it and I'm sure it won't affect on the games either side in the Premier League.

"We will look forward to going back to Moscow, after those great scenes in 2008, so we have got to be excited about."

The first round of matches will be played on September 15 and 16.