Skip to main content
Football

Arsenal slip up at start of Champions League campaign

Arsenal's tilt for the 2016 Uefa Champions League title got underway in abysmal fashion on Wednesday night. The Londoners - who are in their 18th consecutive season in the competition - lost at Dinamo Zagreb.

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud was sent off for two bookable offences.
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud was sent off for two bookable offences. Action Images/Reuters/Matthew Childs/Livepic
Advertising

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud was sent off as his side went down 2-1 in Croatia.

The 28-year-old France international was dismissed late in the first half after his second yellow card.

His first caution for dissent came midway throught the first half. He was sent for an early shower following a late and high tackle.

At that point the hosts were leading thanks to an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain own goal.

Junior Fernandes headed in Dinamo's second 13 minutes into the second half.

Although Theo Walcott halved the deficit with 11 minutes remaining, the north Londonders could not force an equaliser.

"It is not the way we wanted to begin the competition," Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger said after the game in an interview with BT Sport.

"We have enough games to come back. We focus to win our next home game and I'm sure we can beat Zagreb at home."

Bayern Munich control Group F following a 3-0 in Greece at Olympiakos. It was 0-0 at the pause. But Thomas Mueller gave the Bavarians the lead after 52 minutes.

His mishit cross from the right looped over goalkeeper Roberto Gago and into the top corner.

"I don't know if I had a pact with the Greek goddess of luck, but it was certainly lucky that it slipped in the net," Mueller told ZDF afer the game.

Mario Goetze scored Bayern's second before Mueller added the gloss with the third from the penalty spot in stoppage time.

Bayern were beaten by Barcelona in the semi-final on their way to the title.

The Spaniards started their bid to become the first team to retain the Champions League trophy with a 1-1 draw at Roma in Group E.

Luis Suarez headed in Barcelona's opener mid-way through the first-half.

But just before the pause, full-back Alessandro Florenzi spotted the Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen off his line and lobbed him from more than 40 yards out and wide on the right.

"We played well, I think we deserved to win," said Barca coach Luis Enrique. "It's Florenzi's exceptional goal that got Roma back into the match."

In Group G Chelsea shrugged off a missed penalty to sweep past the Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv 4-0.

Six minutes into the encounter, the hosts were awarded a spot-kick. But Eden Hazard blazed the penalty high over the bar.

Despite the setback, strikes followed from the Brazilians Willian and Oscar - the latter slotting in Chelsea's second penalty of the half.

Further goals followed after the pause from Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas.

"The missed penalty was a big test for us," said Mourinho. "Because when everything is going against you and you start a game that you have to win ... and after five minutes you miss a penalty, it's a big test of the players' character. So it was good that we had an extra negative episode and the reaction was very good so I am happy."

In Group H Lyon, back in the Champions League after a three year absence, failed to kill off Ghent who were reduced to 10 men after 41 minutes following a straight red card for Brecht Dejaegere.

Christophe Jallet got the opening goal for Lyon after 58 minutes. But the French outfit conceded an equaliser. Lyon had the chance to clinch victory when they were awarded a penalty in the closing stages. But goalkeeper Matz Sels saved Alexandre Lacazette's attempt.

Lyon host Valencia on 29 September while group leaders Zenit St Petersburg entertain Ghent.

Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning

Keep up to date with international news by downloading the RFI app

Share :
Page not found

The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.