Champions League Day 2 - Draws all the way for the British Sides

Day two of the Champions League saw the reigning C

A Football Report
Champions League Day 2 - Draws all the way for the British Sides

Day two of the Champions League saw the reigning Champions of Europe enter into the competition. They had the best player in the World ready to return from the bench but when all was said and done – they were lucky to come away with a point.

Villarreal came to Old Trafford with a reserve team. Most of their stars were sitting on the bench as the manager essentially gave up the tie, however Manchester United failed to take advantage of this as they bossed a game and not for the first time this season failed to reap the rewards.

It could've nay should've been worse for the home side. The best move of the match by the proverbial country mile came from the away side who worked it down the right with some neat interplay, the ball found its way into the inside right channel and the by-line, the squared ball found Guillermo Franco who tried a cheeky back heel only to see the ball rebound off the far upright when surely the only thing he could do was put the ball into the net.

Sir Alex Ferguson decided it was time to bring on Cristiano Ronaldo and the fans rose to applaud their hero who spent the whole summer trying desperately to claw his way out of Manchester. So the crowd still love him and he looked decent enough and set up a golden opportunity for youngster Jonny Evans, but the Irishman could only fire a header against the post with half the goal to aim at.

It was a lacklustre start to their defence just like it has been in the Premiership. They'll come good but they need to start going through the gears sooner rather than later.

In Kiev a late William Gallas goal rescued Arsenal from a defeat. Dynamo Kiev were the only side in last years Champions League group stage to go pointless but they won't suffer the same fate this time around.

At Celtic Park we finished up the hat-trick of draws as the home side saw a first half penalty saved from Barry Robson and they were unable to breakdown the AaB Allborg defence. A very disappointing night for the home side who could've down top following the draw at Old Trafford.

So all in all a poor night for the British clubs – the only team who'll be at least content will be Arsenal but otherwise a sluggish start for the Wednesday night Brits.