Sacha Kljestan and Anderlecht will try to clinch a place in the UEFA Champions League group stages with a win today in the second leg of Champions League playoff action.
Anderlecht faces Partizan Belgrade after the teams tied, 2-2, in Belgrade. Kljestan did not play in the first leg, but after scoring in league play last weekend he could find himself on the field today.
Here is a rundown of today's playoff deciders (including first-leg scores and TV schedule):
2:30pm– Fox Soccer Channel- Anderlecht vs. Partizan Belgrade (2-2)
2:30pm– Fox Soccer Plus- Hapoel Tel Aviv vs. Red Bull Salzburg (3-2)
2:30pm– Fox Sports Espanol- Sevilla vs. Sporting Braga (0-1)
2:30pm– Fox Regional Affiliates- Sampdoria vs. Werder Bremen (1-3)
2:30pm– DirecTV- Sheriff Tiraspol vs. FC Basel (0-1)
If you will be watching today's action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action.
Anderlecht was by far the better team and deserved to make the group stage. But, they were extremely wasteful with a number of chances. I will enjoy watching Partizan be slaughtered 10-0 by a team like United or Barcelona.
Clubs regularly field different rosters for league vs. CL/EL games. Ji Sung Park has made a career of featuring in Europe, but getting minimal playing time on the weekend.
They did try to change their kicking styles, but the pitch still came up.
As the commentator said, “this pitch is an absolute joke”.
How do these professionals not realize what is happening at the spot and adjust their kick taking strategy? Just side foot it into the corner. That Partizan keeper wasn’t going to save anything.
That was the biggest joke I’ve ever seen. More so because the official refused to allow them to switch sides, even when the Aderlecht captain warned the official before hand.
They blew it. Three field goals worthy of David Beckham.
It looks like the penalty spot was rather uneven.
That pitch is an absolute joke.
Did you see the divot that came up? Twice in a row? A good foot of the pitch came out of the ground.
What a joke.
If Anderlecht pull this off, their goalkeeper deserves a chunk of that Champs league money to himself.
Apparently Anderlecht is kicking extra points and not penalties
Suarez, worst penalty kick ever?
Wow, what a bad penalty from Suarez. Looked like he slipped.
Werder Bremen what a battle they’ve done! Marin is awesome
Haha, how are they not getting carded? Shoved the guy to the ground from behind and them stamps the guy in the back as he’s on the ground.
There’s been a lot of diving in this game.
That is like the 5th elbow to the face by Parizan. I’m shocked that they haven’t been shown even a yellow card for any of them.
All that was missing on that play was Suarez’s trunks and swim cap…
How bad is that goalie for Partisan Belgrade? So far he is one of the worst goalkeeping performances i have seen in awhile!
This Bremen-Sampdoria game is awesome. Crazy finish the regular time
Extra time!
Fantastic game.
Put in Kljestan!
As I type a reply, it appears as if Suarez was just taken down with an elbow to the face as he burned that guy in the box.
Agreed. That was an awful call.
Still looks like Anderlecht will pull this out, though. They are DOMINATING this match.
Terrible call.
Anderlecht just had the game winning goal taken away because of an offside call that was NOT EVEN CLOSE to being correct.
Doesn’t every league have hooligan fans?
Random note: Three United-grown players in Sunderland’s starting XI today – Welbeck, Campbell (Frazier) and Richardson… Nice to know that United have a solid team to send players to get the minutes they need. I’m sure Sunderland isn’t complaining about having Welbeck and Campbell up top. Kieran Richardson…well, he’s another story (and not in a good way). 🙂
I dont think you have to re-register a team between qualifying rounds… I think it’s done again before the group stage starts
Fwiw, Spector is starting today for West Ham in the Carling (aka Second String) Cup.
This isn’t a fun match to watch :/
Glancing header off a corner kick into the far corner for Cleo.
Anybody actually watching the Anderlecht game? I stepped away and missed the Partizan goal. What happened?
What a huge dive, I’m glad he was carded for it.
Why do Italian teams love to dive, fake injury, play dirty, and then say other teams dive when they foul them. Other than the Milan teams and Juve, italian soccer is somewhat a disgrace to watch. Their fans dont help as some of them are hooligans.
I think it is more that there is a lot of depth in his position for Anderlecht and the fact that he did not really have a summer break like the rest of the team. So they are not going to push him for games.
That’s what I was wondering. Didn’t he score in qualifying?
I’m partial to the former Arnold Schwarzenagger Stadium
How/Why was he able to play in the qualifying rounds?
So if he isn’t registered yet, would Sacha have to wait until the winter break to be registered in CL (assuming Anderlecht makes it that far)? Or would that be possible if they reach the group stages?
One article I read said he wasn’t registered in time for the first game … unless there’s still issues there, then he’s just not in their top midfield options. Though, if not, why he didn’t even make the bench is a little baffling.
a team*
I recall reading he isn’t a registered member of the squad for the Champions League. Could be an issue of them needing a certain number of home grown players on the squad list and as the new guy is the odd man out. I assume if they make the group stage given his league performance he will be added.
the Sampdoria stadium is called “Luigi Ferrari Stadium”. Coolest name ever?
or, it could be that he finally plays for a team with depth, and after going the full 90 on saturday, the coach would like to give some guys a run and give sacha a break. Don’t forget, he still has an entire season to play, and he has been playing more or less since march.
I am really hoping Braga pull this out, its nice to see a with no money in the tournament, because honestly the champions league gets more stagnant every year.
sometimes, i cant believe what goes on here.
I am guessing that we do not know the whole story behind Sacha.
No way to you go from being on the bench, where you get some playing time and score, to not even on the bench.
no need to panic folks. Kljestan played the full 90 on saturday. Probably why he was not included in todays game.
Didn’t make the bench either it looks like.
Kljestan not even on the bench for Anderlecht. I wonder why not? Oh well, still looking forward to getting a closer look at Romelu Lukaku.
Sacha not starting according to FSC pregame.
Is Sacha starting this time? I’d be nice to actually be able to see him on TV with his new team