Fuente : UEFA (English)
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UEFA Champions League: Past masters find safe passage

/noticias.info/ If Tuesday was the night of the underdog then Wednesday saw UEFA Champions League veterans fight back as Club Brugge KV, RSC Anderlecht, Rangers FC and Manchester United FC dashed four more clubs' hopes of feasting at European football's top table for the first time.

Five newcomers
Real Betis Balompié, Udinese Calcio, FC Thun and FC Artmedia Bratislava all progressed to the group stage as debutants two days ago, a feat which only Villarreal CF could match last night as they overcame another Champions League newcomer, Everton FC, 4-2 on aggregate. The Spanish side's coach, Manuel Luis Pellegrini, said of the success: "Personally I'm delighted, but we haven't done anything yet. We've played a difficult team, the same quality as we'll meet in the next stage of the competition, but I'd like to see my side grow."

Balaban influence
The victory was not as comfortable as the scoreline suggests, with Everton having a goal which would have levelled the tie disallowed in the 83rd minute. Brugge were also pushed all the way by Vålerenga IF, winning on penalties after the tie had finished 1-1 after extra time. "From the start we were very good; we started well and with some luck we could have scored four goals," said coach Jan Ceulemans. "[Goalscorer] Boško Balaban is the kind of striker who sometimes tries to do too much, but today I was really glad to have him in my team."

Improved showing
Brugge's Belgian rivals Anderlecht are also in today's draw in Monaco after defeating SK Slavia Praha 2-0 in the Czech Republic, a much-improved showing from their nervy 2-1 win in Brussels. Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta FC and Hungarian champions Debreceni VSC both succumbed to British opposition, with Rangers FC and Manchester United FC respectively completing comfortable victories to deny the potential newcomers a lucrative spot in the last 32. "I'm absolutely delighted as it was a tricky tie," said Rangers manager Alex McLeish. "It's fantastic to be in the draw."

'Mission accomplished'
Like United, who won both legs 3-0, FC Internazionale Milano were able to play without real pressure against FC Shakhtar Donetsk, drawing 1-1 in an empty San Siro - punishment for indiscretions last season - to advance 3-1 on aggregate. "It was a strange feeling playing without spectators but it was mission accomplished," said coach Roberto Mancini. "We are in good condition even if we didn't play so well."

Bremen comeback
In contrast, Werder Bremen had to come from behind to see off FC Basel 1893, triumphing 3-0 at the Weserstadion following a 1-0 loss in Switzerland. That they managed to do so despite Johan Micoud's first-half penalty miss was pleasing to coach Thomas Schaaf, who said: "With him missing, the side had to continue to attack and in the end we got exactly the result we were looking for."

'Learning process'
AFC Ajax were also facing elimination against Brøndby IF, Johan Elmander putting the Danish challengers 3-2 up in the tie with the opening goal in Amsterdam, only for Ryan Babel and Wesley Sneijder (2) to send Danny Blind's young charges through. "The lads now have six matches at the highest level," the coach said. "We have no illusions that we are going to win the Champions League - it is a learning process." Their next lesson comes in mid-September when the group stage begins. notas_de_prensa_archivo