They'll sort it out like neighbors

Cypriot Anorthosis plans to get a ticket to the playoffs in Athens

3. Bordeaux

In the Champions League groups, which are listed under the letters “A” to “D,” everything is not as clear as in other quartets. Complete clarity reigns only in company C, where Basel, under pressure from Shakhtar, signed a complete surrender. Most other teams, including Cypriot Anorthosis, still have hopes of extending their life in European competition.

Group "A". Even the London Chelsea postponed solving their tournament problems until the last round, although they could well have secured participation in the playoffs already in an away match in France. Leading during the meeting with Bordeaux, Luiz Felipe Scolari's team was unable to maintain the advantage, and after Diara equalized the score, the Blues could have lost altogether. So now Chelsea will have to fight CFR with full dedication. Even though the Romanians have lost all chances even for third place, they are unlikely to give up the opportunity to slam the door and at the same time dismiss Scolari. The Brazilian coach promised to submit a letter of resignation if the “aristocrats” did not make it to the playoffs. Moreover, the CFR players looked quite good against Roma. However, having failed to realize a number of advantageous chances, they fell for the hosts' counterattacks several times.

Group "B". Until the last round, the Cypriot “Anorthosis” remains in business. However, it is unlikely that the team's head coach Timur Ketsbaya is satisfied with the draw in the match against Werder Bremen, in which his players led with a score of 2:0. However, at the end of the meeting, the Anorthosis players noticeably lost ground and could even have conceded the third goal. “The players gave a lot of effort. And not only today, but in all matches,” Ketsbaya explained the condition of his players. “Now, if we want to achieve a serious result, we need to go to Athens for victory.”

In Athens, neighbors are expected to be in a good mood, which was ensured by Panathinaikos' unexpected away victory over Inter. The Greek team fought off persistent attacks from the hosts throughout the match, relying only on their strong defense and set pieces. The bet worked - Pao scored the only goal after a corner kick. And perhaps this goal will secure the Athens club a place in the playoffs. Inter is in no danger - one of its competitors will still lose points in a head-to-head confrontation.

Shakhtar used the penultimate round in Group C to prove their advantage over Basel. But even a major victory does not leave the Pitmen a chance to reach the playoffs, even if they win against the disintegrating Barcelona, and Sporting also manages to lose to the Swiss; if the points are equal, the Lions will have an advantage due to two victories in personal meetings.

In Group D, Marseille has an advantage in head-to-head matches over PSV: the Dutch, having won 2:0 at home, lost away with a big score. But these clubs will fight only for a place in the UEFA Cup - they missed the last chance to achieve more, and they did not really try to use it. So in the last round, PSV, hosting Liverpool, will have to monitor how things develop in Marseille. But in Eindhoven they do not despair - on Wednesday the two leaders of the group proved that they are not going to play giveaways.

Match results. Group "A". Bordeaux - Chelsea - 1:1 ( Alou Diarra 83 - Anelka 60) , CFR - Roma - 1:3 (I. Kone 30 - Brigi 11, 64, Totti 23) . Group "B". Inter - Panathinaikos - 0:1 (Sarriehi 69) , Anorthosis - Werder Bremen - 2:2 (Nicolaou 62, Savio 68 - Diego 72 - from the penalty spot, Hugo Almeida 87) . Group "C". Shakhtar - Basel - 5:0 (Jadson 32, 65, 72, Willian 50, Seleznev 75) , Sporting - Barcelona - 2:5 (Veloso 65, Liedson 66 - Henry 14, Pique 17, Messi 49, Caneira 67 - own goal, Krkic 73 - penalty ). Group "D". Atlético - PSV - 2:1 (Simao 14, Maxi Rodriguez 28 - Koevermans 47 ) , Liverpool - Marseille - 1:0 (Gerrard 23 ).

Group "A" I V N P M O

Group "B" I V N P M O

Group "C" I V N P M O

Group "D" I V N P M O

Andrey VDOVIN