UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Centurion leads Olympiacos fight

Group F: Predrag Djordjević reached a personal milestone as Olympiacos CFP beat Irakis FC 2-1 on Monday. Real Madrid CF and Olympique Lyonnais both drew.

OGC Nice 1-1 Olympique Lyonnais

The French champions extended their unbeaten run to 23 matches in all competitions with Saturday's draw on the south coast. With an eleven-point advantage in Ligue 1, they have already clinched the title of 'autumn champions' for the leaders at the halfway stage. However, they failed to equal FC Nantes Atlantique's record of eight straight league wins, achieved in 2000/01.

For the eighth time this term, Lyon recovered from conceding the first goal. Mamadou Bagayoko broke the deadlock in the first half, but Sidney Govou equalised 15 minutes from time after home goalkeeper Damien Grégorini spilled Sylvain Wiltord's shot. Full-backs Lamine Diatta and Jérémy Berthod limped off with fibula and hamstring injuries respectively, while John Carew was substituted with a sore foot. Defender Eric Abidal is out for three months with a broken foot, while striker Fred has a bruised ankle.

Goalkeeper Grégory Coupet said: "We're very happy to remain unbeaten. This run has made us feel stronger even though injuries and tiredness have weakened the squad. We're determined to try and extend it."

Real Sociedad de Fútbol 2-2 Real Madrid CF

Under-pressure Madrid rescued a point in San Sebastian with a remarkable fightback. Trailing to a controversial 43rd-minute Xavi Prieto penalty and a 57th-minute Oscar De Paula tap-in, Madrid looked finished when Sergio Ramos was dismissed for a second caution after 73 minutes.

However, that setback prompted Madrid to increase the pressure on their hosts and following Gaizka Garitano's 81st-minute sending-off, Vanderlei Luxemburgo's side ran riot. Four minutes from time, Raúl Bravo scrambled in a loose ball and two minutes later Zinedine Zidane scored with a fierce shot from just inside the area.

Despite having to field a team missing leading scorer Ronaldo (ankle), captain Raúl González (knee) and Jonathan Woodgate (thigh), Luxemburgo said he was disappointed not to have taken all three points. "Iker Casillas didn't have a save to make before they scored, whereas we'd had five chances," he said.

Rosenborg BK

Rosenborg's preparations for their final UEFA Champions League assignment at Lyon have been hit by injury problems. Per Ciljan Skjelbred became the latest addition to a lengthy absentee list when he broke his leg in the 1-1 draw with Olympiacos. Ørjan Berg (ankle) and Miika Koppinen (knee) also have long-term injuries.

Jan Gunnar Solli (groin), Robbie Russell (knee) and Roar Strand (thigh) provide further cause for concern. Despite these worries, however, the Norwegian side can take comfort from the fact their domestic season is over and they can rest tired legs ahead of Matchday 6.

Coach Per-Mathias Høgmo said: "The Lyon game will, first and foremost, be a good chance to play against top European opposition. We can go into this tie without any sort of pressure." Rosenborg cannot reach the Round of 16, but have gained a UEFA Cup berth as consolation.

Olympiacos CFP 2-1 Iraklis FC

Olympiacos worked hard to tame Iraklis in Piraeus and reclaim top spot in Greece. Djordjević scored his 100th league goal for the club on eleven minutes, converting a penalty after Ioannis Okkas had been brought down. Iraklis equalised midway through the first half through Esteban Herrera, and the hosts did not restore their lead until the 79th minute when Okkas headed in the rebound after an Ieroklis Stoltidis effort was parried. The win took Olympiacos a point clear of AEK Athens FC.

Defender Michalis Kapsis was sidelined, while Michalis Konstantinou, Ioannis Taralidis and Stylianos Venetidis should all return early in 2006. With substitute goalkeepers Erwin Lemmens and Kleopas Giannou both injured, 18-year-old Leonidas Panagopoulos took his place on the bench.

Coach Trond Sollied said: "My players gave everything they had for the team and the fans and I am proud of them. We have the best attack and the best defence and we can improve. We have a great team and that will be shown on the pitch."

Selected for you