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Barcelona put in an impressive display of attacking football at the Nou Camp to beat Inter Milan 2-0 courtesy of goals from Gerard Pique and Pedro Rodriguez. The loss means that Inter will now play Rubin Kazan on Matchday 6 in a winner takes all clash.

The failure of both Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to recover in time for tonight's crucial game meant that Thierry Henry played a rare game as a centre forward with Andres Iniesta and Pedro Rodriguez supporting the Frenchman from the right and left flank respectively in Barcelona's patented 4-3-3 formation. Xavi was the key man in midfield to link the play with Seydou Kieta and Sergi Busquets providing defensive cover. In defence Eric Abidal returned at left back after missing the weekend La Liga action because of swine flu.

As far as Inter Milan were concerned, Jose Mourinho picked former Barca forward Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito as the front pairing in an attack minded line up. Dejan Stankovic was picked in his usual position behind the strikers. Argentine duo of Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti formed the combative central midfield partnership.

Barcelona needed a win desperately to boost their qualification hopes and they got off to the perfect start when Gerard Pique put them ahead as early as the 10th minute. Thierry Henry's flick on from a corner found its way towards Pique at the far post and the ex Man United man finished with ease from close range to put the home side ahead. Barca were dominating the early exchanges and Xavi went close to doubling the Catalans' advantage when his free kick landed on the roof of the net a few minutes later.

Pep Guardiola's side produced an awesome move for their second goal in the 26th minute. A sequence of 18 passes saw Xavi play in Daniel Alves on the right flank and the Brazilian full back stood the ball up at the far post for Pedro to volley into the back of the net. Although Inter keeper Julio Cesar got his left hand to the ball, he could not stop it from going in. Barca had the upper hand for the remainder of the first half but could not add to the 2-0 score line.

Barca started the 2nd half right from where they left in the first, keeping the ball for long periods. Another skilfully crafted move in the 54th minute almost saw the home side add a 3rd goal. But Xavi, who had himself started the move, saw his header from another pinpoint cross from Alves brilliantly saved by Cesar. After providing the assist for Pedro's goal, Alves then tried his own luck from a free kick in the 68th minute. His effort was palmed behind for a corner by Cesar. Inter sadly were never really in the contest and barely threatened at all in the game as Barcelona comfortably hung on for a 2-0 victory.

In the other game in Group F, Rubin Kazan and Dynamo Kyiv played out a goalless draw in Russia, which means that who goes through from this group will depend on the game between Rubin and Inter Milan on Matchday 6. Barca are assured of a passage into the knock out stages as long as they do not lose by a 2 goals (or more) in their final group game against Dynamo Kyiv.

In Group E, 2005 winners Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League with Fiorentina joining Lyon as the 2nd team to qualify for the next round. Rafa Benitez welcomed back Glen Johnson into Liverpool's starting 11 for the must win game against Debrecen and Liverpool took advantage of some poor Debrecen defending to score early on. David Ngog continued his good recent form to score from just a few yards out after Jamie Carragher's header from Fabio Aurelio's cross had made its way towards him. That was the only goal of the game as Liverpool failed to add to their score despite 18 shots on goal. It was however of no use in the end as Fiorentina's win over Lyon by the same score line thanks to a 28th minute Juan Vargas penalty eliminated the Reds from the Champions League. Liverpool have suffered the embarrassment of not qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time under Benitez's reign and will now focus their attention on the UEFA Europa League.

Over at the Emirates, Arsene Wenger started with an exciting line-up with young Mexican striker Carlos Vela getting a rare start, and Brazilian midfielder Denilson making a comeback from injury . Arsenal dominated the contest completely creating 25 goal scoring opportunities and hitting the target with 11 of them as they put a decidedly weaker Stand Liege to the sword. A 35th minute Samir Nasri goal after a defensive lapse from Landry Mulemo and a long range strike from Denilson in first half stoppage time meant that the Gunners ensured all 3 points and qualification from Group H as the group winners. To make matters worse for Liege, Mehdi Carcela-Gonzale was sent off in the closing stages. But Liege can still qualify for the last 16 if they can better Olympiacos' result on the final Matchday of the group stages. Olympiacos played out a 0-0 draw against bottom placed AZ Alkmaar at the Almaarderhout.

In Group F, Champions League first timers Unirea Urziceni gave themselves a realistic chance of progressing by beating Sevilla 1-0 at home. With Sevilla already through and Stuttgart beating Rangers 2-0, one of either Unirea or Stuttgart will go through to the last 16. These two sides clash at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on 9th December.

RESULTS:
Group E:
Debrecen 0-1 Liverpool
Fiorentina 1-0 Lyon

Group F:
Barcelona 2-0 Inter Milan
Rubin Kazan 0-0 Dynamo Kyiv

Group G:
Unirea Urziceni 1-0 Sevilla
Rangers 0-2 Stuttgart

Group H:
Arsenal 2-0 Standard Liege
AZ Alkmaar 0-0 Olympiaco

File Photograph Copyright: Shay