VINTAGE BORDEAUX IN GREEK CRUISE

Bordeaux put themselves in the driving seat to advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after claiming a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their last-16 tie at Olympiacos.

Michael Ciani popped up with the only goal of the game on the stroke of the interval as the Greek side gave themselves a mountain to climb in the second leg on March 17.

The winner was not without a whiff of controversy, however, coming as it did from a controversial free-kick awarded by referee Howard Webb, but that will be of little concern for Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc who saw his side maintain their unbeaten record in this season's competition.

Olof Mellberg almost opened the scoring for Olympiacos after just four minutes, the defender connecting well with Jesus Datolo's free-kick but unlucky to see his header sail the wrong side of the upright.

Neither did enough to claim the upper hand in the early exchanges but Antonis Nikopolidis' palms were stung after 25 minutes when some neat Bordeaux approach play saw Fernando fire an effort straight at the home custodian.

A collision between Raul Bravo and Ieroklis Stoltidis gifted Bordeaux a chance to bag the opener after 36 minute but Mellberg was on hand to mop up, flicking the ball clear of danger as Yoann Gourcuff looked to pull the trigger.

Two minutes into stoppage time Webb awarded a harsh free-kick against Lomana Lua Lua - who appeared to win the ball cleanly from Benoit Tremoulinas on the left touchline.

Lua Lua was frustrated by the decision, but frustration gave way to anger moments later when Gourcuff whipped in a wicked delivery and centre-half Ciani timed his run to perfection to nod home from six yards.

In the second half the visitors saw an opening to go two goals clear spurned as Ciani headed over when unmarked from a corner kick.

Wendell screwed a shot wide of the target on 80 minutes as the visitors again looked the most likely to add to the scoring, but 60 seconds later Olympiacos went close.

Olympiacos almost snatched an equaliser at the death when more frantic Bordeaux defending saw Fernando hack clear Stoltidis' header off the line
VINTAGE BORDEAUX IN GREEK CRUISE

ON-FIRE ROONEY GIVES CHELSEA WARNING

Wayne Rooney produced another match-winning performance for Manchester United as he took his tally for the season to 27 by bagging a double against West Ham.

Michael Owen scored for the first time since that hat-trick at Wolfsburg in December as the Red Devils closed to within a point of Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea.

But Owen's late effort was a mere footnote compared to Rooney's contribution.

The 24-year-old has been set a conservative target of 30 by Sir Alex Ferguson.

At this rate he will eclipse the 42 that helped turn Cristiano Ronaldo into the world's best player two years ago.

Where the Red Devils would be without the striker does not bear thinking about. Little wonder Ferguson once again opted to stick with him against supposedly lesser opposition on home soil when probably, he could do with a rest, however minimal.

The wisdom of the selection was proved just before half-time when Rooney planted his diving header into the corner of Robert Green's goal.

It would be churlish to exclude Dimitar Berbatov and Antonio Valencia from praise given the Bulgarian's excellent crossfield pass and an even better volleyed cross to the far post from the South American.

But Rooney was the man who had shifted into space, Rooney who had to finish. There was never any prospect of him failing.

In a very similar manner to his opener, Rooney found himself in splendid isolation when Berbatov released Valencia with another excellent pass in the build up to the second.

Once again the cross was inviting. Once again Rooney sent it past Green.

For a player of his class, his finishes had been routine.

Owen grabbed the third after an inspired through ball from Paul Scholes.

It was Owen's eighth of the season, only one short of Berbatov's tally.

A long way behind Rooney though. And the gap is going to get wider yet.
ON-FIRE ROONEY GIVES CHELSEA WARNING

Fixtures (23 Feb 2010)

European Cups - Champions League

Olympiakos Piraeus 0 - 1 Bordeaux
(M.Ciani 45')
Stuttgart 1 - 1 Barcelona
(Cacau 25', Ibrahimovic 52')

European Cups - Europa League

Benfica 4 - 0 Hertha BSC
(P.C. Aimar 25', O. Cardozo 48'62', J. Garcia 59')

England - Premier League

Manchester U. 3 - 0 West Ham U.
(W.Rooney 38'55', M.Owen 80')

Puyol fears resurgent Stuttgart

Carles Puyol admits Barcelona could struggle if they underestimate in-form Stuttgart in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Barca make the trip to Germany having bounced back from their first league defeat of the season against Atletico Madrid by thumping Racing Santander 4-0 on Saturday night.
That was the Catalan giants' sixth victory in seven league games, but on Tuesday night they will come up against a Stuttgart who are in just as good form.
Stuttgart may still be struggling down in ninth place in the Bundesliga but they too have won six of their last seven and at the weekend thrashed Cologne 5-1 away from home, with Cacau netting four of his side's goals.
When the draw was made back in December, Stuttgart were in the midst of a 10-match winless run in all competitions, but it is a different story now and a wary Puyol said: "They're playing better now and they are a dangerous team.
"If we don't go there focused, we could really have a bad time," added the Barca captainl, who scored one of his side's goals as they beat Stuttgart 2-0 away during the group stages of the 2007/08 Champions League.
Barca have struggled badly with absentees recently and the Champions League holders will again be without Seydou Keita and Eric Abidal for the game.
Key duo Xavi and Dani Alves have at least made the trip to Germany, but neither has yet been given the all-clear to return to action following injuries.
Full-back Alves has been absent for a month due to a calf problem while Xavi picked up a thigh injury during the defeat by Atletico that had been expected to keep the Spain international out for around two weeks.
Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was a late withdrawal ahead of Saturday's win over Racing with an ankle problem, has also been included in a 20-man travelling squad in the hope he will be fit to feature.
Stuttgart coach Christian Gross is likely to be without left-back Arthur Boka for both meetings against Barca after he suffered a dislocated shoulder in training prior to the Cologne match that could keep him sidelined for a month.
That was one of the few negatives on what was a memorable weekend for the Bundesliga outfit, which saw striker Cacau make a stunning return from his four-week injury lay-off.
"I was really looking forward to this game after my long break," said Cacau. "And the way the game went makes it particularly beautiful."
Looking ahead to the clash, the Brazilian-born Germany international told Barca TV: "We've got nothing to lose. Barca are favourites and we maybe have a 20 or 30% chance of getting through, but we will be trying to make the most of our opportunities.
"We have to get a good result at home, because when Barca play at home it is very difficult to win. I hope they may be over confident and not commit themselves completely."
Puyol fears resurgent Stuttgart