Some great results for the lesser lights in this week’s Champions League games.
Romanian champions CFL Cluj followed up their spectacular away win over Roma on the first matchday with an equally impressive result at home to Chelsea, even if it did end goalless. Anorthosis Famagusta of Cyprus continued their impressive run with a comprehensive 3-1 win over Panathinaikos.
Great results, which the teams in question should enjoy while they can. The nature of the Champions League group stage allows the likes of Roma and Werder Bremen (who were held to a goalless draw by Anorthosis on matchday one) to drop points and still reach the knockout stages.
Ten or 11 points is usually enough to qualify for the second round, though Schalke scraped in with eight points last season. Anorthosis and Cluj, with four points apiece from their first two group games, are still a long way from making the knockout rounds – and it would be a major shock if they made it that far.
But credit where credit is due.
On the subject of Anorthosis, their recent success means that Temuri Ketsbaia, that famous wrecker of advertising hoardings, is finally getting the recognition he deserves. How long will it be before Ketsbaia is linked with the manager’s job at Newcastle? With every Geordie from Alan Shearer to Ant & Dec being linked with the position, here’s a former Newcastle hero who can actually coach. They might have to reinforce the dugout at St James’ Park, though.
