Group A saw the top two side both away from home with Chelsea at Bordeaux and AS Roma visiting CFR Cluj. Chelsea were fortunate to reach half time with a clean sheet and with only 3 players in the book. Matteo Brighi gave Roma a vital lead in Romania and when Francesco Totti increased it Roma’s position in the group was enhanced. However, a Yssouf Kone strike for the home side made for a nervous time for the Italians until Brighi snatched his second and Roma’s third.

Nicolas Anelka finally broke the deadlock in France with a neat finish but an Alou Diarra equaliser followed closely on by a second yellow for Frank Lampard left the Blues to cling on with ten men for what could prove an invaluable point in group that will be decided on match day 6.

In Group B, Inter entertained Greek side Panathinaikos whilst Bremen were desperate to pick up some vital points against Anorthosis Famagusta. With the group goalless at half-time, Nicos K Nicolaou scored one of the biggest goals of his career and when Bortolini Savio also made himself a local hero by finding the back of the net, the Cypriot outfit looked like they were heading amazingly into the last 16. But Bremen did not lie down and Diego pulled one back before Hugo Almeida completed the German comeback.

Josu Sarriegi’s unanswered strike at the San Siro opened up the group completely as Inter succumbed to a shock home defeat.

Barcelona, leaders in Group C made the short trip over the border to Lisbon. Group strugglers Basel travelled to Shakhtar hoping to improve their poor record. Thierry Henry celebrated his 100^th Champions League appearance by opening the scoring for Barcelona and with their lead doubled through Gerard Pique. Once Lionel Messi had added a third it looked plain sailing for Barce. However, Miguel Veloso grabbed what initially looked like a sole consolation until Da Silva Liedson scored almost immediately to bring the home side to within a goal and on the verge of a great comeback. The next goal was crucial and Marco Caneira scored it, unfortunately for him and Sporting, into his own net. With the dismissal of Pedro, all Sporting’s hopes disappeared and Bojan Krkic rubbed salt into the wound with a fifth to send Barce safely through to the last 16.

A Rodrigues Jadson goal gave Shakhtar a hugely significant boost in their season. When Da Silva Willian added to this early in the second half the relief spread through the team and Jadson went on to complete a memorable hat trick with Yevhen Seleznyov completing the rout. They will now vie with Sporting for the final last 16 place.

Home wins for Group D top pair Atletico Madrid and Liverpool would guarantee both passage to the past 16. Goals from Simao and Maxi Rodriguez and a Steven Gerrard header saw both enjoy leads at half time. Atletico saw their lead halved courtesy of Danny Koevermans following some poor defending but held on as did Liverpool to ensure places in the last 16 although bragging rights in the group will be decided next time out.