8 November 2000
BARCELONA 5-0 BESIKTAS
Luis Enrique flicked on Rivaldo's corner and Cocu poked home. Another Rivaldo corner another goal, this time from Luis Enrique. Enrique half
volleyed Barca further in front early in the second half. Rivaldo converted a penalty awarded for handball. Gabri whipped one into the top corner to
seal an emphatic victory for the eternal pretenders.
Assists : Luis Enrique, Rivaldo, Dani, Kluivert
MILAN 1-1 LEEDS
Milan were awarded a penalty but Shevchenko hit the outside of a post. Matteo headed in Bowyer's corner. Serginho equalised following a fine run.
Assists : Bowyer, Bierhoff
24 OCTOBER 2000
BESIKTAS 0-2 MILAN
Two headed goals by Shevchenko and Jose Mari from Albertini set pieces(!) sent Milan into Phase 2 and gave their inept coach Alberto Zaccheroni another
stay of execution. Dida made an excellent save at the near post, stretching an arm out in front of Albertini (Albertini defending?). Shevchenko's heading
has reached World Class level.
Assists : Albertini (x2)
LEEDS 1-1 BARCELONA
Bowyer sent a free kick into the box and public liability Dutruel missed it, 1-0. The rest of the match was a personal duel between Robinson and Rivaldo.
Leeds young 'keeper keeping his team in the game with several World Class saves from Rivaldo free kicks his best save however was from Alfonso, a
spectacular one handed diving effort, a strong candidate for save of the season. Barca were deservedly awarded for their constant pressure deep into
injury time. Gerard headed against the post and Rivaldo scored from the rebound. Woodgate was outstanding in defence.
Leeds need a point away to Milan who having already qualified will not bust their balls in that match. Barca need to win and hope Leeds loose.
Assist : Viduka
18 OCTOBER 2000
MILAN 3-3 BARCELONA
Costacurta checked Rivaldo as he ran in on goal. Rivaldo got up and drilled a low free kick past Abbiati. Albertini equalised with a spectacular 35yd
drive! Bierhoff won a free kick around 20yds from goal and the law of averages meant Albertini finally got one right after around three years,
blasting the ball past Dutruel. Rivaldo got Maldini booked with a dive and beat Abbiati with another superb free kick, this time in off the
crossbar. Jose Mari slammed in a rebound as Dutruel attempted to block Bierhoff. Ambrosini headed inches wide from Albertini's free kick. Rivaldo
completed his hat-trick by taking advantage of horrid marking to head in Sergi's cross. Rivaldo and Dani wasted great chances to win the game.
Assists : Rivaldo (x2), ?, Bierhoff, Sergi
26 SEPTEMBER 2000
BARCELONA 0-2 MILAN
Dutruel should have been sent off for a wild foul on Shevchenko. Coco scored in first half injury time, heading in Giunti's free kick. Rivaldo blew a 100% chance
to equalise following a mistake by Maldini. Dida made an excellent save from the returning Luis Enrique. Frank de Boer gifted Bierhoff a one on one with
Dutruel but he shot wide. He made amends minutes later, powerfully heading in Coco's superb cross. How long have I said Coco is a outstanding prospect?
Too long. Comandini, back from a successful Olympics (on a personal level) struck the post following great work by Shevchenko.
Assists : Giunti, Coco
LEEDS 6-0 BESIKTAS
Bowyer beat Smith to poke in Harte's excellent cross. Viduka headed in his first Leeds goal from Kelly's cross as three Leeds players seemed to be offside.
Shorunmu and Smith collided when going for a cross, Di Matteo reacted quickly, skipped over Shorunmu and tapped in Leeds third and his first of the season.
Bakke slammed in a third following good work from Viduka, his first of the season. Harte's header fell at the feet of Huckerby and he turned sharply to score, you
guessed it, his first goal of the season. Huckerby then crossed for Bowyer to add his second.
Assists : Harte (x2), Kelly, Viduka, Huckerby
19 SEPTEMBER 2000
BESIKTAS 3-0 BARCELONA
Nihat done a number on Sergi before whipping in a fabulous cross into the box which Dursun brilliantly turned past Dutruel who dived too early. A beautiful
disguised pass from Nouma caught the Barca defence flat footed and Dursun chipped over Dutruel who again went to ground early. Nouma scored a bizarre
third, guess who was at fault? Dutruel punched out Nouma's shot and for some reason decided to kick the ball clear, it hit Nouma and sailed into the net.
Dutruel is a shocking 'keeper. There is a reason Barcelona were not challenged for his signature over the summer.
Assists : Nihat, Nouma
Attendance :
13 SEPTEMBER 2000
MILAN 4-1 BESIKTAS
Public liability Helveg handled in the box and this time Dida didn't perform his penalty heroics. Coco drew Milan level with a powerful header from an Albertini
corner and Milan went in front with another header, Bierhoff from Giunti's free kick. A minute later Milan were awarded a penalty for a dubious handball which
Shevchenko converted and he added an awesome second, turning three defenders inside out several times before shooting past Shorunmu.
Assists : Albertini, Giunti. ?
Attendance : 53,436
BARCELONA 4-0 LEEDS
Dacourt attempted to cut out a pass to Rivaldo, the ball broke for Simao on the right flank, he centred, Duberry hurled himself into a tackle but Rivaldo made him
look like a complete twat by stepping out of the way and then picked his spot. Frank De Boer curled a spectacular free kick in off the post.
Kluivert swept Simao's cross past Martyn and hammered home another, from De La Pena's pass. Great performance by Simao, who needs Figo?!?!
Assists : Simao (x2), Rivaldo, De La Pena
Attendance : 85,000