Milan clubs pose Real threat

By Patrick Hart

Real Madrid CF beware - your position as the best team in Europe is in serious doubt. That was the message from the Italian press after a week of excellent results for Serie A sides in the UEFA Champions League.

Milan's night of celebration
Not least for AC Milan, who began their second group stage campaign with a 1-0 victory against the European champions in Group C. "It's SuperMilan," reported the Gazzetta dello Sport, "on a night of celebration for what, on this evidence at least, is the best team in the world". Some claim. But then, continued the paper, "only a miracle stopped the Rossoneri repeating their famous 5-0 win [against Madrid] in 1989".

Madrid lose punch
The Spanish media, meanwhile, pointed to Milan goalscorer Andriy Shevchenko as the difference between the sides. "Madrid forgot to score," headlined AS, while Marca noted that "Madrid have now failed to score in their last six games".

Inter's show of strength
Where Milan went on Tuesday, neighbours Internazionale FC boldly followed on Wednesday. "Inter replied to the spectacular win by their rivals Milan with a show of strength," said the Gazzetta. The Nerazzurri's 4-1 triumph at Newcastle United FC in Group A had been the perfect riposte to their weekend derby defeat by Milan.

The sack of Rome
Juventus FC also impressed. Tuttosport heralded an "Iron Juve" after "the Bianconeri showed great character" to come from behind to draw 2-2 at RC Deportivo La Coruña in Group D. However, AS Roma "were outclassed", admitted the Corriere dello Sport, as "former Juventus striker Thierry Henry struck a fabulous hat-trick" in Arsenal FC's 3-1 Group B victory. "Henry leads sack of Rome," proclaimed the Guardian.

Barça handed victory
However, it is FC Barcelona who are the outstanding success story of the Champions League season so far. Louis van Gaal's men chalked up a ninth straight win in the competition - one short of Milan's European record - 2-1 at Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Group A. Substitutes Javier Saviola and Marc Overmars both scored, while another replacement, Juan Riquelme, missed a penalty. All three, remarked AS, "showed Van Gaal that he is wrong". Bild, though, highlighted Leverkusen's "silly errors" which had "handed the victory to Barça".

Dortmund pass test
This left BV Borussia Dortmund to take the German plaudits after they edged out FC Lokomotiv Moskva 2-1 in Group C. "Dortmund pass test of character in Moscow," said Die Welt. Manchester United FC also had an away day to remember in Group D, as they came from behind to beat FC Basle 3-1. "Shaky United recover for happy ending," reported the Daily Telegraph.

Missed opportunities
However, AFC Ajax's hopes of taking maximum points from Valencia CF in Group B were ended by a late Miguel Angulo goal. "The Spanish team had a dozen opportunities but missed them all. In the end, though, this was an incredible display by Valencia," concluded Marca.