Inter happy with paper talk

Inter's lions
"Great performance by the Nerazzurri who humiliate Arsenal" and "New lions of Highbury", were just two of the offerings from this morning's Italian papers. Inter's Group B win was the first by an Italian team at Highbury. "Héctor Cúper leads Inter into the history books," observed the Gazzetta dello Sport. "The English side were outclassed."

Juve relief
Juventus FC were less impressive and "had Alessandro Del Piero to thank for defeating Galatasaray", said the Gazzetta. That was the consensus in the Turkish papers too after Juve's 2-1 Group D success.

'False start'
The Dutch press picked over a "false start" by champions PSV Eindhoven who succumbed 2-1 at home against AS Monaco FC in Group C. The Algemeen Dagblad newspaper noted: "PSV have won only one of their last ten matches in this competition, and the hope they would be able to challenge this time around ended all too soon."

Ajax undone
If PSV took the brickbats, AFC Ajax at least received bouquets following their 1-0 defeat by AC Milan in Group H. "Ajax dared to take control at the home of the holders, but in the end they received only compliments," said the Volkskrant paper, which blamed Filippo Inzaghi for "breaking Ajax hearts".

More needed
Over the border in Belgium, the Het Nieuwsblad commented on "the difference between the Belgian league and the Champions League", after champions RSC Anderlecht fell 1-0 to Olympique Lyonnais in Group A. "Before the match, coach Hugo Broos wanted to know what level his boys were at - the conclusion was that they are not as good as he thought." Not that L'Equipe was particularly convinced by the French effort: "Lyon will have to show more if they are to reach the last 16."

Sleepy Brugge
Le Soir, meanwhile, lamented a missed opportunity by Club Brugge KV in the 1-1 home draw with RC Celta de Vigo in Group H. Its headline: "Brugge woke up too late". L'Equipe did, however, reserve praise for Monaco goalscorers Fernando Morientes and Edouard Cissé for their exploits in Eindhoven, while Le Monde gave credit to Olympique de Marseille despite a 4-2 reverse against Real Madrid CF in Group F. "Marseille held their own before the speed and quality of Madrid's attack took over."

Madrid roll on
Unsurprisingly, the Madrid-based dailies AS and Marca were more gushing about the all-whites. The former described Madrid's performance as a "recital"; Marca referred to the local heroes as a "rolling pin".

'Big as a castle'
In the other Group F game, FK Partizan claimed their first Champions League point in a 1-1 draw with FC Porto. "A point against the UEFA Cup winners is as huge as a castle," said the Belgrade daily Politika.

Diogo dazzles
Further east, Ukrainian champions FC Dynamo Kyiv got one over their Russian counterparts FC Lokomotiv Moskva with a 2-0 Group B win. "Two goals from Diogo Rincón made it a carnival night," wrote the Golos Ukrayini.

Best of British
Elsewhere, Manchester United FC were able to "profit from Greeks bearing gifts" in a 5-0 Group E victory against Panathinaikos FC. Meanwhile, match-winner Peter Lovenkrands stole the headlines after Rangers FC's 2-1 triumph against VfB Stuttgart in the same section.

Bayern pride
German pride was restored by FC Bayern München's victoy by the same scoreline against Celtic FC in Group A - although the Daily Record insisted "a point was the least Martin O'Neill's side deserved".

'Fragile and complacent'
The Spanish press criticised Olympiacos CFP for being "fragile and complacent" in their 1-0 Group D defeat at Real Sociedad de Fútbol, and also accused RC Deportivo La Coruña of "throwing the game away" in a 1-1 draw at AEK Athens FC.

Away day
Finally, Chelsea FC and S.S. Lazio won applause with victories against AC Sparta Praha and Besiktas JK in Group G. The Guardian headlined with "Gallas spares Chelsea blushes", while the Gazzetta called Lazio "a perfect victory machine". Praise indeed.