Epress.am News from Armenia
Inter Milan opened the defense of its Champions League title with a 2-2 draw at tournament newcomer FC Twente on Tuesday while Barcelona signaled its intent with a 5-1 home thrashing of Panathinaikos.
Inter went ahead in the Netherlands through Wesley Sneijder but needed a 41st-minute goal by striker Samuel Eto’o to earn a point from the Group A opener.
In the other match in the pool, Werder Bremen recovered from going two goals down to draw 2-2 with Tottenham, which was making its debut in the tournament.
In Group B, Brazil international Michel Bastos scored an opportunist 21st-minute lob as last season’s semifinalist Lyon won 1-0 against 10-man Schalke.
Schalke center half Benedikt Hoewedes was sent off 13 minutes later for a high tackle on Lyon forward Jimmy Briand.
In the other group match, goals from Luisao and Oscar Cardozo gave Benfica a 2-0 win over debutant Hapoel Tel Aviv.
In Group C, Manchester United was held to a goalless draw at home to
Rangers in a match marred by a serious ankle injury to United winger
Antonio Valencia, and Valencia thrashed newcomer Bursaspor 4-0 away.
Lionel Messi scored twice and missed a penalty as Barcelona, which lost to Inter in the semifinals last season, started group play with a convincing victory at the Camp Nou. David Villa, Pedro Rodriguez and Daniel Alves also scored for the Spanish champions.Dame N’Doye’s late winner handed FC Copenhagen a 1-0 victory against Rubin Kazan in the other Group D match.