TheSportsCampus

The much maligned Group stage of the UEFA Champions League got the perfect advertisement today as Italian also-rans Fiorentina pulled off a shock 2-0 home win over five-time European Champions Liverpool. Their headlines were almost stolen by Russian champions Rubin Kazan who came within the thickness of the post from pulling off the upset of the decade against Italian champions Inter Milan. Elsewhere on Matchday 2, there were big wins for Lyon and Sevilla, while Arsenal were held at bay for the better part of their match by a 38-year old Greek legend, before scraping through in the end.

The curse of Florence struck a Premiership team from Merseyside for the second time in three years as Liverpool were hu mbled 2-0 by an exceptionally hard working Fiorentina unit. Two goals within 10 minutes of each other from Montenegrin wonderkid Stevan Jovetić (in pic) gave the Viola something to hold on to for 53 minutes, and despite just having 39% of the possession, Fiorentina restricted the Premier League runners-up to predominately shots from distance and kept Sebastian Frey well protected, and out of the line of fire.

Despite being deprived of the services of Italian national team striker Alberto Gilardino, Fiorentina started the brighter, using the pace available on the flanks as a regular attacking outlet. Their early pressure paid rich dividends as Jovetić found himself coming on to a delightful through ball from Riccardo Montolivo in the 28th minute, and the 19-year old showed no signs of pressure as he slotted the ball neatly past the outstretched palm of Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal to take an early lead. It took Jovetić just 9 more minutes to double his team's advantage, as he struck again, this time guiding a powerfully hit cross from Juan Vargas first time into the bottom corner.

Liverpool came out after the half-time break like a side possessed, and created three excellent early opportunities to get back into the game only to fluff their chances. Fernando Torres too got into the act as the game wore on, but Fiorentina defender Alessandro Gamberini did a great job of marking the Spanish striker out of the game. In the end, Fiorentina put 10 men behind the ball, keeping the English vultures at bay to record a truly memorable win.

In the other Group E game, Lyon stroked four goals past Hungarian champions Debrecen to go to the top of the table. With their next two Champions League dates against Liverpool, Lyon will need to be more than a bit lucky to keep top spot in the Group.

Champions League newcomers Rubin Kazan almost made the perfect home debut as they dominated their contest against 10-man Inter Milan, and were unlucky not to force a win. In the end the 1-1 result flattered Jose Mourinho's men, who found themselves a goal down within eleven minutes thanks to a fantastic run and strike from Argentine playmaker Alejandro Domínguez. Rubin probably should have been two goals to the good when defender César Navas missed a sitter on the far post.

Inter equalized through Dejan Stanković in the 27th minute when the veteran midfielder was picked out perfectly by a cross from Maicon.

Cheered on by a capacity home crowd Rubin Kazan pushed forward, and a foolish tackle from an already booked Balotelli saw the young Italian getting his marching orders. Inter did little in the match from that point on, and it was the woodwork that came to their rescue in the 81st minute when Rubin skipper Sergei Semak hit the post. In the end the game finished without any further shocks, a brilliant result for the Russian club.

In the other Group F match, champions Barcelona took their place at the top of the table with a comfortable 2-0 home win against Dynamo Kiev. Barca had 26 shots on goal and 76% of the possession, yet needed two pieces of magic from the left-feet of Lionel Messi and Pedro to beat Oleksandr Shovkovskiy in the Dynamo goal.

In Group G, Sevilla look to already have a foot in the second round as they thumped Rangers 4-1 at the Ibrox Stadium. All five goals came in the second half, as Konko, Adriano, Fabiano and Kanoute put the visitors four ahead before an 88th minute strike from Nacho Novo gave Rangers small consolation. VfB Stuttgart are in second place in this far from settled group, as the German club were held to their second consecutive draw in the competition away to Unirea Urziceni. With back to back games coming up against Sevilla, Stuttgart will have to do it the hard way if they are going to make it to the knock-out rounds.

Arsenal find themselves in a similar position as Sevilla over in Group H, as the English giants also have maximum points from their opening two games. Arsenal left it late against Greek champions Olympiakos as veteran goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis was in inspired form, pulling off 9 saves of the highest quality before a Cesc Fabregas pass to substitute Eduardo finally saw Arsenal get behind the Olympiakos back four. The Croatian striker laid the ball on a plate for Robin van Persie to slot home from 4 yards to give Arsenal the lead in the 78th minute. Russian forward Andrei Arshavin was another recipient of Fabregas' class as he put the game beyond doubt in the 86th minute, though replays showed that he was offside when he cheekily backheeled the ball past Nikopolidis. Olympiakos continue to remain the front runners to finish second in the group as AZ Alkmaar and R. Standard de Liège played out a 1-1 draw to leave them both tied with a point each at the end of matchday 2.

Tuesday's Scores:

Group E
Fiorentina 2-0 Liverpool
Debreceni VSC 0-4 Olympique Lyonnais

Group F
Rubin Kazan 1-1 Internazionale Milano
Barcelona 2-0 Dynamo Kyiv

Group G
Unirea Urziceni 1-1 VfB Stuttgart
Rangers 1-4 Sevilla

Group H
Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos
AZ Alkmaar 1-1 R. Standard de Liège

File Photograph Copyright: Roberto Vicario