Champions League - Matchday 1 Roundup

Champions League play has opened for the 2008-2009 season and it didnt take long for a shock result to hit the books as AS Roma lost at home to Romanian side CFR Cluj.  Elsewhere, Chelsea rolled at home over Bourdeaux and Barcelona took out Sporting Lisbon.

Group A -
Chelsea got off to the fast start as they crushed an outclassed Bourdeaux side at Stamford Bridge 4-0 behind goals from Frank Lampard, Nicolas Anelka, Malouda and Joe Cole.  It was the other match in the group that raised eyebrows as Romanian minnows CFR Cluj went into Rome and shocked AS Roma 2-1 behind a pair of goals frolm Argentinian Emmanuel Culio.  The result leaves AS Roma fighting uphill now in the group.  CFR Cluj will get a chance to pull a second upset when they host Chelsea in matchday 2.

Group B -
Inter Milan took care of business as they defeated Greek side Panathinaikos 2-0 at home behind goals in each half.  The other match provided another surprising result as Werder Bremen were unable to break Anorthosis Famagusta from Cyprus as they settled for a 0-0 draw.   The result leaves Werder Bremen in a bad way as they next have to travel to Milan.

Group C -
Shaktar Donetsk went on the road and defeated FC Basel as a pair of first half goals stood up.  Meanwhile, Barcelona got off to a good start as they beat Sporting Lisbon 3-1.

Group D -
Atletico Madrid went on the road to PSV Eindhoven and put on a wonderful display dispatching the home side 3-0 as Sergio Leonel Aquero scored a pair.   In the other group match, Liverpool fell behind Marseille in France, but Steven Gerrard netted 2 goals as Liverpool rallied for a 2-1 win.