UEFA Champions League 2013: Dortmund and Milan grab big wins

Chelsea were absolutely dreadful on the night, failing to register a single shot on goal during a 1-0 Basel win, and yet the night was productive for the Blues thanks to a draw between Steaua Bucharest and Schalke. The draw clinched a spot in the Round of 16 for Chelsea, who received the good fortune despite their terrible showing in Switzerland.

Basel were all over Chelsea from the start, peppering Cech throughout the match. Cech was called upon time and again early, especially on crosses. The Blues didn’t mark well on balls into the box and Basel got several chances as a result, only to see Cech turn them away.

Borussia Dortmund are in good shape in the UEFA Champions League after their victory on Tuesday, but the picture in Group F is still a foggy one. Der BVB have gotten the better of Napoli both on the night and on aggregate, defeating their visitors 3-1 to beat them by one goal on aggregate in the group.

Dortmund were well on top early in the second half and eventually saw their advantage pay off around the hour mark, though not before Gonzalo Higuain was denied from 12 yards by Roman Weidenfeller. On a counter shortly after that chance, Reus set up Jakub Blaszczykowski for a close-range finish with a square ball that eluded the Napoli defense.

Marseille had not had a sniff of goal when Arsenal next looked to double their advantage, gaining a fortuitous penalty when Ramsey went over NIcolas Nkoulou’s leg just outside the area. Justice was done, however, as Mesut Ozil stepped up and put in a feeble spot-kick, with Mandanda easily making the save and keeping the score at one-nil.

As the second half wore on, Marseille finally threw on Thauvin and Valbuena, but they soon found themselves out of the game anyway -- Jack Wilshere was once again the scorer, Ramsey and Ozil showing some good interplay before the latter played an outside-of-the-boot pass to tee up the England midfielder for his second goal of the night.

His side suffered an early blow to their group stage hopes by losing at home to Basel, but since then the Blues have taken control of the group.

Zenit St. Petersburg will need some help over the next two matchdays to advance to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, but they’re in with a small chance to get by FC Porto. Thibaut Courtois tried to help them for a win that would have seen their chances of advancing increase significantly when he committed a terrible howler, but the hosts couldn’t take full advantage and ended up drawing, 1-1.

The first half only had a couple of decent chances, and neither was terribly impressive. Hulk forced Courtois to palm away a stinging left-footed drive from 20 yards in the 14th minute, but it was always right at the keeper, as vicious as it might have been. Just before the break, Christian Rodriguez forced Juri Lodigin into a save with Atleti’s only shot on target of the first half.

Marseille meanwhile keep Andre-Pierre Gignac in the side after his recent impressive display, while Jordan Ayew and Saber Khalifa are in support. There is no place for Mathieu Valbuena or the in-form Florian Thauvin, both of whom are on the bench, but youngsters Gianni Imbula and Mario Lemina start in midfield.

If the Gunners do manage to beat Marseille, they just need Napoli to take points from Borussia Dortmund to progress. Given that Marseille are currently rock bottom of the group after losing all four of their matches, Arsenal really should be able to hold up their end of the bargain.

Arsenal injuries and suspensions

Borussia Dortmund’s match at home to Napoli on Tuesday night is almost definitely the pick of the Champions League matchday. The Italians are currently sitting second in Group F, level on points with leaders Arsenal. Dortmund, on the other hand, are a mere three points behind.

That means that Napoli can secure their place in the knockout stages with a victory, though Dortmund would draw level on points with the partenopei if they win. You couldn’t have created a more exciting scenario. Or terrifying, depending on whether you’re emotionally involved.