Just two months after appearing in the UEFA Cup final in the City of Manchester Stadium in May. Glasgow Rangers have been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Lithuanian side FBK Kaunas, who are part owned by the same man who owns Heart of Midlothian Vladimir Romanov.

No doubt there will be chuckles of belly laughter in Glasgow and Edinburgh at the fact that losing over the two legged tie has cost the Gers around £12m in competition and television revenue. The embarrassment comes days after Celtic manager Gordon Strachan complained about not being able to compete with English clubs in the transfer market after his side slumped to a two-nill defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Feyenoord Jubeleeum. Which begs the question why can the two big Scottish clubs not compete when they get capacity attendances every week, they have global followings buying club merchandise and they appear every year  in European competition?

Strachan commented that Spurs manager Juande Ramos may not be able to do what he has done in getting to the last eight in the Champions League if he had the same budget and no stars. But as normal he is comparing apples and orange in his own charming manner. The competition for the Champions League and UEFA Cup places is less fierce in Scotland than in England. So Ramos needs the big stars and even bigger transfer budget, to get near the European competition places.

In comparison to the Old Firm, Tottenham have a much smaller stadium, a smaller global following which should translate to a much smaller budget. However they have the benefit of the Premier League television deal and they appear to be managed much better financially than the Old Firm.

Rangers manager Walter Smith confessed that his side were not in the game against Kaunas and that it will be difficult to motivate his players following the crushing defeat that will deny his team another glorious run in Europe. News that will not impress the Rangers fans who give anything to play at Ibrox.

Sergio Ramos was given a lesson that could come in useful should he take over from Martin Jol. How to graciously accept defeat at the hands of Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.

Fabregas Forces First Goal For Gunners

The Gunners are currently top of the Premier League and they took their form straight from Saturdays victory over local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in to the game with Sevilla. They were gifted a first half goal by the visitors when a shot from Fabregas was deflected in to the goal. The young Spaniard will no doubt try to claim the goal to add to his already incredible tally for this season; he was instrumental both of the other Arsenal goals.

Eduardo Seals Victory

Robin Van Persie scored the Gunners second when he popped up at the back post to thump Sagna’s flick on from a Fabregas cross. Sevilla threatened on the counter attack, with ex-Spurs striker Fredi Kanoute coming closest to opening the account for Sevilla despite the perpetual booing from the home support. Thierry Henry’s replacement Eduardo left it late to add his name on the scoresheet, he finished from a few yards out after Fabregas and Hleb created the opening.

After suffering an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Hearts at the weekend, the last thing that Rangers needed was the visit of the Bundesliga Champions. Things got worse for Walter Smith’s side as they went a goal down on fifty-six minutes when Gomez put Khedira’s cross past Rangers keeper McGregor.

Charlie Adam Puts Gers Back On Level Terms

With the help of the near fifty thousand strong crowd Rangers were not behind for very long. Eight minutes after they went behind Charlie Adam put them back on level terms when he curling the ball in to the Stuttgart goal past a helpless Schafer.

Penalty Gives Rangers Opportunity For Three Points

With fifteen minutes of the ninety left on the clock, Hutton was brought down inside the box by the Stuttgart captain Meira, leaving referee Farina with no alternative other than point to the spot. Darcheville confidently dispatched the spot kick to secure the victory much to the delight of the 49795 fans inside Ibrox.

Manchester United visited Portugal knowing that their recent away form in the Premier League has not been of the standard of Champions. Sir Alex Ferguson was given a boost to his squad as England striker Wayne Rooney returned to fitness, news that would also be music to the ears of England manager Steve McClaren.

Cristiano Ronaldo Returns Home To Sporting Lisbon

Rooney managed to play for over seventy minutes before being replaced by Louis Saha. However it was the return of another prodigal son that helped United fly back to Manchester with all three points. Cristiano Ronaldo headed home the goal that was the difference between his old club and his current employer. Wes Brown provided the cross that Ronaldo guided home just after the hour mark.

Although Sporting Lisbon had more attempts on target they were not as threatening as the statistics read, although they did force Van Der Sar in to making some top class saves. United more specifically Ronaldo were more deadly with their attack, ensuring their perfect start to this seasons European campaign.

Gordon Strachan’s Celtic side continued their abysmal run of away form in the Champions League. The Scottish side were unable to transfer their domestic form to the Champions League.

The match was effectively over as a contest before it was ten minutes old, after five minutes Brandao put the home side ahead, putting a through ball from Fernandinho past Boruc.

Celtic were two down just three minutes later as Lucarelli nodded home a left wing cross from Rat. Rat provided more danger and only the off-side side flag was able to deny the home side a third goal as Brandao put a Lucarelli rebound past Boruc.

Celtic have a mammoth task ahead if they are replicate last seasons success, and reach the knock-out stages. Strachan will have to motivate his charges to get two results in Milan and Benfica, a tall order considering their best away result so far has been a draw. Although two draws may be enough if Celtic can manage three home wins at Parkhead.

Liverpool suffered a slow start to this seasons Champions League campaign. They found themselves a goal down after just eight minutes, when Sektioui burst past a flat footed Hyypia only to be brought down by Reina. The Liverpool shot stopper has built a reputation for saving penalties in recent years, but he was no match for Gonzalez on this occasion, the striker had done his home work and drilled the ball down the middle knowing Reina would dive one way or the other.

Liverpool were back in the game less than ten minutes later, when on their first meaningful attack Finnan crossed deep to Hyypia who headed the ball toward goal for Kuyt to guide home.

Liverpool could have made more of the tie if Steven Gerrard had shown up on the night and been his usual inspirational self. The reds effectiveness was also hurt by the petulance of Jermaine Pennant who earned himself two yellow cards and a dismissal, which only served to pile the pressure on the Liverpool defence who worked hard to ensure they earned a point.

After his scrambled statement about eggs in the press conference before the game against Norwegian club Rosenborg, and with press reports insisting that Chelsea must win the Champions League more than once with ten years of Abramovich’s take over. It would seem that the result left Mourinho with egg on his face.

Enough of the poultry puns, because they are about as funny as the Blues performance on the night. Chelsea found themselves a goal behind after 24 minutes when centre half Miika Koppinen stabbed home a cross from a Marek Sapara free kick.

Twenty Chances For Chelsea, One Goal For Sheva

Chelsea punished the Norwegian sides defence with wave after wave of attack, but they lacked the necessary penetration in the final third. Chelsea had over twenty attempts on goal but only five made the keeper work. They did manage to get back on level terms, through the unlikely source of Andry Shevchenko. After almost a hour the Ukranian headed home a Florent Malouda cross to provide the home fans with some cheer.

Worst Chelsea Home Attendance For Four Years

UEFA rules on stadia often mean that most clubs have to leave the first two rows empty when staging Champions League fixtures. However there were a lot more than the obligatory empty seats in Stamford Bridge. Only 24973 fans paid the money to watch the first European game of the season. Leaving the Blues with 18000 empty seats to hide from the TV cameras.

Injured Germany captain Michael Ballack has been left off the list of Chelsea players eligible for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

The Chelsea squad for their Champions League Group B games had to be submitted on Friday and the medical staff at Stamford Bridge were unable to say if the 31 year-old would be match fit for any of the group matches.

Ballack Available For UEFA Champions League Knockout Stages

When the group stage is complete on the 11th December, Chelsea will be able include Ballack for any knockout fixtures for the rest of the tournament.

Ballack Should Return From Injury In November

Ballack should be returning to work in domestic competitions for the beginning of November. However he wont be available for European duties until the Champions League resumes in February 2008.

Home                                            Away

Oct 2, Roma (h)                            Sep 19, Sporting (a)
Nov 7, Dynamo Kiev (h)             Oct 23, Dynamo Kiev (a)
Nov 27, Sporting (h)                    Dec 12, Roma (a)

An explosive start lies ahead for Manchester United as they host Roma, last season there was violence in both legs. So much violence that it managed to detract from the fantastic on pitch display, where Manchester United spanked the Italians 7-1 at Old Trafford in April. The trip to Ukraine could be tricky for United as the cold weather could have an massive influence on the result if the players are not correctly prepared, especially if United are still strikerless.

Home                                                 Away

Oct 3, AC Milan (h)                            Sep 18, Shakhtar Donetsk (a)
Nov 6, Benfica (h)                               Oct 24, Benfica (a)
Nov 28, Shakhtar Donetsk (h)         Dec 4, AC Milan (a)

Having needed penalties to help them qualify, Gordon Strachan’s Cetic will have to put that behind them and focus on the task ahead. They face last years winners AC Milan for the second year running. They also get to visit Portugal, home of their famous European Cup victory in 1967 against Inter Milan which will please Celtic fans and give the former players another reason to celebrate their win.