Chelsea advance despite loss; Barcelona stay alive
| Drogba leaves the pitch with a physio (Action Images) |
Written by: Stephen Sharp
BREMEN/SOFIA, Nov 22 (SW) - Chelsea moved on to the Champions League Round of 16 despite a loss away to Werder Bremen, while Barcelona kept alive their chances in Group A with a win at Levski.
Werder Bremen - Chelsea 1-0
John Obi Mikel missed an early chance when he headed over the top in the ninth minute, but Bremen quickly wasted one right back as Diego had a shot saved by Carlo Cudicini.
However, the Germans went in front in the 26th minute as Per Mertesacker snuck in behind the Chelsea defense to send a header past Cudicini.
The second half started in a bleak manner as Chelsea striker Didier Drogba was forced to limp off the pitch with an apparent ankle injury and his replacement Andriy Shevchenko nearly equalized on a free kick, only to see it saved by Tim Wiese.
Bremen held on up until the very end when Chelsea put an almighty scare into them, but a laser shot by Essien drifted just barely high of the target.
Levski - Barcelona 0-2
Barcelona, meanwhile, still have work to do to qualify after they defeated Bulgarian side Levski away in Sofia.
The striker-depleted side went in front on five minutes as Ludovic Giuly turned in a shot after the Levski defense failed to properly deal with a cross from the right by Gianluca Zambrotta.
Barcelona always looked comfortable despite desperately needing a win, and they eventually extended their advantage in the 65th minute when Andrés Iniesta scored on a rebound after Deco's shot was parried by Georgi Petkov.
Barcelona now must win at home against Werder Bremen on Matchday 6 in order to gain a berth in the Round of 16. Meanwhile, Bremen need just a point in that match to move on.
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BREMEN/SOFIA, Nov 22 (SW) - Chelsea moved on to the Champions League Round of 16 despite a loss away to Werder Bremen, while Barcelona kept alive their chances in Group A with a win at Levski.
Werder Bremen - Chelsea 1-0
John Obi Mikel missed an early chance when he headed over the top in the ninth minute, but Bremen quickly wasted one right back as Diego had a shot saved by Carlo Cudicini.
However, the Germans went in front in the 26th minute as Per Mertesacker snuck in behind the Chelsea defense to send a header past Cudicini.
The second half started in a bleak manner as Chelsea striker Didier Drogba was forced to limp off the pitch with an apparent ankle injury and his replacement Andriy Shevchenko nearly equalized on a free kick, only to see it saved by Tim Wiese.
Bremen held on up until the very end when Chelsea put an almighty scare into them, but a laser shot by Essien drifted just barely high of the target.
Levski - Barcelona 0-2
Barcelona, meanwhile, still have work to do to qualify after they defeated Bulgarian side Levski away in Sofia.
The striker-depleted side went in front on five minutes as Ludovic Giuly turned in a shot after the Levski defense failed to properly deal with a cross from the right by Gianluca Zambrotta.
Barcelona always looked comfortable despite desperately needing a win, and they eventually extended their advantage in the 65th minute when Andrés Iniesta scored on a rebound after Deco's shot was parried by Georgi Petkov.
Barcelona now must win at home against Werder Bremen on Matchday 6 in order to gain a berth in the Round of 16. Meanwhile, Bremen need just a point in that match to move on.
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