Ten things we learned this week

By Jon Fisher

The UEFA Champions League group stage concluded on Wednesday with the loose ends tied up ahead of February's second round. With Friday's draw for the knockout stages in sight, here are ten things we have learned this week.

1. Better late than never

AC Sparta Praha proved that the old adage of playing to the final whistle has never been more apt. On the verge of crashing out of the Champions League after being held 0-0 at home by S.S. Lazio, Karel Poborský's 93rd-minute free-kick was glanced home by Marek Kincl to win the match at the Letná stadium to put Sparta in the last 16.

2. Weakened Milan raise eyebrows

With the European/South American Cup on Saturday, seven key AC Milan players had already flown to Japan to prepare for the game before RC Celta de Vigo visited the San Siro. Celta came from behind to win 2-1 and take second spot in their group, relegating Club Brugge KV to the UEFA Cup and dumping AFC Ajax out of Europe.

3. A man for all seasons

Ryan Giggs' goal against VfB Stuttgart on Tuesday not only helped Manchester United FC to finish on top of Group E, but also gave the Welsh international a little piece of history. The 58th-minute effort meant Giggs has scored in every one of the nine Champions League campaigns he has played in.

4. Ruud lays down the Law

Ruud Van Nistelrooij continued his merciless record in the same game, equalling Denis Law's record of 28 goals in European games for United. The Dutch international needed just 30 games to draw alongside the United legend, who needed 33 matches to achieve his final mark.

5. Beware the Old Lady

Juventus FC's 7-0 win against Olympiacos CFP set another record. Last season's beaten finalists have set a new mark for a winning margin in the competition and silenced their critics after a run of three successive defeats for the first time in 12 years.

6. Celtic's away form proves costly

Celtic FC were denied a place in the second round of the competition after a 3-2 defeat at Olympique Lyonnais - albeit courtesy of a disputed late penalty - to highlight their deficiencies away from home. A sixth defeat in six Champions League group stage away games told its own story.

7. When is a defeat not a defeat

FC Lokomotiv Moskva live on despite a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal FC. With Internazionale FC a goal up away at FC Dynamo Kyiv, the Russians were bound for elimination until a late Diogo Rincon strike took the wind out of Inter's sails and gave Lokomotiv second spot in their group.

8. When is a win not a win

PSV Eindhoven fans looked to be on course for a memorable night as they led 2-0 at home to RC Deportivo La Coruña - needing another goal to make it to the knockout phase. But it all went wrong for the Dutchmen, Depor striking twice to equalise before a late winner for PSV proved too little too late.

9. 20-Up for Trezeguet

Juventus striker David Trezeguet helped himself to his 20th and 21st goals in the Champions League on Wednesday during Juve's rout of Olympiakos. He also rattled up the 3,000th Champions League goal during the clash.

10. Monaco and Juve are the hotshots

AS Monaco FC and Juventus are the goal kings of the group stage, with 15 from their six matches. The French side's 8-3 win over Deportivo and Juve's 7-0 thumping of Olympiakos did much to help their cause.