Weekend review source : AVA |
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The much-anticipated Milan derby did not disappoint as nine-man FC Internazionale Milano put their resurgent city rivals back in their place, while Wayne Rooney engineered a change at the top in England, as uefa.com recaps in this look back at the weekend action.
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Ronaldinho penalty
Gennaro Gattuso's sending-off helped Inter defeat AC Milan 4-0 earlier in the season, yet the Rossoneri were unable to make similar use of a numerical advantage on Sunday. Wesley Sneijder's 27th-minute dismissal offered them a chance to overturn Diego Milito's early opener, however they were further rocked by a Goran Pandev free-kick 20 minutes after the restart and Ronaldinho failed to convert from the spot in added time after Lucio was red-carded for handball. Unable to score in this fixture for the first time since 1989, Milan now lie nine points behind the Serie A champions, though they possess a game in hand – and are undeniably in better shape than Juventus, who slipped to sixth after succumbing 2-1 at home to AS Roma.
Rooney haul
There was only one top-flight match in England over the weekend but it proved significant as Manchester United FC became the third team to top the Premier League standings in the space of a week, Rooney grabbing all the goals as Hull City AFC were despatched 4-0. Previous leaders Arsenal FC were kept occupied by FA Cup duties, but exited that competition with a 3-1 defeat at Stoke City FC, leaving holders Chelsea FC firm favourites following their 2-0 fourth-round triumph over Preston North End FC. Having toppled United last time out, third-tier Leeds United AFC also remain involved after Jermaine Beckford's late penalty earned them a replay at Tottenham Hotspur FC.
Lyon eliminated
Cup concerns dominated thoughts in France too, with Ligue 1 leaders FC Girondins de Bordeaux easing past AC Ajaccio to set up a last-16 meeting with AS Monaco FC, who came back to oust Olympique Lyonnais. Second-division holders EA Guingamp are through also, whereas high-flyers LOSC Lille Métropole and Montpellier Hérault SC are both out, the former upset by fourth-tier SR Colmar. The top two in the Spanish Liga both lived up to their billing, on the other hand, FC Barcelona sweeping aside Valladolid CF 3-0 and, five points back, Real Madrid CF downing Málaga CF 2-0 courtesy of two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, who was later sent off.
Leisurely Leverkusen
FC Bayern München enjoyed a glimpse of the Bundesliga summit on Saturday after their entertaining 3-2 win at Werder Bremen, but a composed Bayer 04 Leverkusen promptly reclaimed pole by prevailing 3-0 at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. FC Twente proved less assured in the Eredivisie, in contrast, drawing 0-0 at FC Groningen to slip two points behind PSV Eindhoven, 3-0 victors over NEC Nijmegen. Finally, the top two both won in Turkey, PAOK FC beat Olympiacos FC to join them eight points off the pace in Greece, and Celtic FC closed within seven points of Rangers FC in Scotland.
UEFA
Gennaro Gattuso's sending-off helped Inter defeat AC Milan 4-0 earlier in the season, yet the Rossoneri were unable to make similar use of a numerical advantage on Sunday. Wesley Sneijder's 27th-minute dismissal offered them a chance to overturn Diego Milito's early opener, however they were further rocked by a Goran Pandev free-kick 20 minutes after the restart and Ronaldinho failed to convert from the spot in added time after Lucio was red-carded for handball. Unable to score in this fixture for the first time since 1989, Milan now lie nine points behind the Serie A champions, though they possess a game in hand – and are undeniably in better shape than Juventus, who slipped to sixth after succumbing 2-1 at home to AS Roma.
Rooney haul
There was only one top-flight match in England over the weekend but it proved significant as Manchester United FC became the third team to top the Premier League standings in the space of a week, Rooney grabbing all the goals as Hull City AFC were despatched 4-0. Previous leaders Arsenal FC were kept occupied by FA Cup duties, but exited that competition with a 3-1 defeat at Stoke City FC, leaving holders Chelsea FC firm favourites following their 2-0 fourth-round triumph over Preston North End FC. Having toppled United last time out, third-tier Leeds United AFC also remain involved after Jermaine Beckford's late penalty earned them a replay at Tottenham Hotspur FC.
Lyon eliminated
Cup concerns dominated thoughts in France too, with Ligue 1 leaders FC Girondins de Bordeaux easing past AC Ajaccio to set up a last-16 meeting with AS Monaco FC, who came back to oust Olympique Lyonnais. Second-division holders EA Guingamp are through also, whereas high-flyers LOSC Lille Métropole and Montpellier Hérault SC are both out, the former upset by fourth-tier SR Colmar. The top two in the Spanish Liga both lived up to their billing, on the other hand, FC Barcelona sweeping aside Valladolid CF 3-0 and, five points back, Real Madrid CF downing Málaga CF 2-0 courtesy of two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, who was later sent off.
Leisurely Leverkusen
FC Bayern München enjoyed a glimpse of the Bundesliga summit on Saturday after their entertaining 3-2 win at Werder Bremen, but a composed Bayer 04 Leverkusen promptly reclaimed pole by prevailing 3-0 at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. FC Twente proved less assured in the Eredivisie, in contrast, drawing 0-0 at FC Groningen to slip two points behind PSV Eindhoven, 3-0 victors over NEC Nijmegen. Finally, the top two both won in Turkey, PAOK FC beat Olympiacos FC to join them eight points off the pace in Greece, and Celtic FC closed within seven points of Rangers FC in Scotland.
UEFA
Story code : 15533
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