Stuttgart off to flier to reach knockout stage

Published on Wednesday 9 December 2009 23:11

STUTTGART advanced to the knockout stage of the Champions League with a 3-1 win over Unirea last night, giving new head coach Christian Gross am impressive debut.

Ciprian Marica, Christian Traesch and Pavel Pogrebnyak scored inside the first 11 minutes to stun the Romanian team, who went into the match with a two-point lead over the Germans in Group G.

Antonio Semedo pulled one back for Unirea in the 46th minute, but it was not enough for Dan Petrescu's team, who will now go to the Europa League. Sevilla won the group, while the Rangers were eliminated.

Alberto Gilardino scored in injury time to give Fiorentina a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield and first place in Champions League Group E.

Going into their final group match, Liverpool had already been knocked out, but went ahead in the 43rd minute through Yossi Benayoun. Denmark winger Martin Jorgensen equalised 20 minutes later and Gilardino secured Fiorentina's fifth straight tournament win.

The Italians won Group E ahead of Lyon, with Liverpool finishing third and facing the ignominy of being in the draw for the next round of the second-tier Europa League on 18 December rather than the Champions League. It is the first time since 2003-04 that Liverpool have not appeared in the knockout rounds.

Lyon scored two goals in each half to rout Debrecen 4-0 in last night's other match.

Bafetimbi Gomis scored first in the 25th minute before Brazilian midfielder Michel Bastos doubled the lead just before half time. Bosnia playmaker Miralem Pjanic and Aly Cissokho sealed the win. Debrecen joined Maccabi Haifa as the only clubs this season without a Champions League point .

A young Arsenal team put on a brave display but lost 1-0 away to Olympiacos 1-0 in their final Group H clash in Athens.

With safe passage to the last 16 already secured, Arsene Wenger chose to rest most of his first- team regulars – with 18-year-old left-back Tom Cruise handed a debut and reserve captain Kyle Bartley playing alongside Mikael Silvestre, 32, in central defence.

It was, though, the display of Aaron Ramsey, still only 18 but already a full Wales international, which caught the eye, the teenager relishing in the role of midfield playmaker filled so well by rested captain Cesc Fabregas.

Leonardo scored in the 47th minute to secure the victory for Olympiakos, who qualify in second place. Standard Liege drew 1-1 with AZ Alkmaar to come third with five points.

Lionel Messi scored with a free kick in the closing minutes to give Barcelona a 2-1 win over Dynamo Kiev as the defending champions advanced to the knockout stage.

Barcelona only needed to avoid a large defeat to advance, but Artem Milevskiy gave the visitors a scare with an early goal for Dynamo. Xavi equalised in the 33rd minute after sustained pressure. The second half saw few clear chances for either side, before Messi curled in a free kick.