UEFA Champions League, Tuesday Review: Shock Results Avoided In Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich Wins

The big names in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League action survived the tournament’s second match day relatively unscathed. While Milan dropped points in Amsterdam, all of Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich stayed perfect, while Roma got their first points of the competition.

In Group E, Bayern Munich fell behind at Swiss champions Basel thanks to an early goal from Alexandre Frei. The hosts would carry that lead into the early second half. Then, Bastian Schweinsteiger equalized from the spot, and when the German international completed his brace in the 89th minute with a left-footed volley from five yards out, the German champions had stolen three points to stay at the top of Group E.

Italian runners-up Roma were able to build upon their weekend win against Internazionale, getting goals from Philippe Mexes and Marco Boriello in route to a 2-1 win over visiting CFR Cluj. The Romanian champions are now even on points with Roma in Group E.

Chelsea and Spartak Moscow are perfect in Group F, each club recording easy home wins. The England champions were up two within half an hour, getting goals from John Terry and Nicolas Anelka in route to a 2-0 win. Spartak’s 3-0 win over Zilina saw Brazilian attacker Ari record his second brace in three matches.

Real Madrid sits alone at the top of Group G after a 1-0 win at Auxerre, with substitute Ángel Di Maria getting the match’s only goal in the 81st minute. Los Blancos now sit two points ahead of Milan, who were drawn 1-1 in Amsterdam by Ajax.

In Group G, Arsenal’s 1-3 victory over Partizan saw late goals from Marouane Chamakh and Sebastien Squillaci settle a match that was drawn after 70 minutes. They go to six points, even with Shakhtar atop the group after the Ukraine champions, with help from Braga goalkeeper Felipe, posted a 0-3 win at Sporting Braga. Braga has now allowed nine goals in the tournament without scoring.