Champions League: Barcelona content with costly victory

We were playing against the best, says Benfica coach

LISBON: Barcelona continued their imperious form this season as they retained top spot in the Champions League Group G with a 2-0 victory away to Benfica on Tuesday.

Alexis Sanchez struck after six minutes and Cesc Fabregas added a second following the break to leave Barca with a 100 per cent record from their opening two games.

“It was a costly victory for us but we are happy with the result against Benfica who are a strong side,” said manager Tito Vilanova. “It was a nasty injury for Carlos Puyol and he has already had one this season so this isn’t very normal.”

Ferguson pleased with 2-1 win

In another match, Robin van Persie put the bite on Romanian minnows CFR Cluj in Transylvania as the Manchester United striker’s double clinched a 2-1 win in Champions League Group H.

“They kept us under pressure because we didn’t finish them off,” said manager Alex Ferguson. “We defended well apart from the goal. I’ve got to be pleased because Cluj have a good home record.”

Chelsea fortunate: Di Matteo

Meanwhile, Chelsea coach Roberto Di Matteo admitted his side had been slightly fortunate to come away with a 4-0 win over Danish minnows FC Nordsjaelland in their second Champions League outing.

“We expected a difficult game and that’s exactly how it turned out to be,” said Di Matteo, who led Chelsea to a penalty shoot-out victory over Bayern Munich in last season’s final. “You look at the Champions League results and there are no pushovers. Bayern lost, United had to come back. The Champions League is difficult.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2012.