Barca takes centre stage !

Spanish sides took centre stage as the UEFA Champions League returned with a bang on Tuesday, big wins for FC Barcelona and Valencia CF perhaps eclipsed only by FC Twente's memorable introduction to the group stage as they held holders FC Internazionale Milano 2-2.

Bursaspor endured a more difficult introduction to life in Europe's elite club competition as the Turkish titleholders were overwhelmed 4-0 at home by Valencia. Tino Costa set the visitors on their way with a memorable long-range effort, though the opening goal of the group stage came on 13 minutes at SV Werder Bremen as Petri Pasanen put through his own net against Tottenham Hotspur FC.

It ended 2-2 at the Weserstadion, as did the other fixture in Group A as Dutch champions FC Twente earned a point against Inter. Lionel Messi was at his unstoppable best as Barcelona recovered from a goal down to beat Panathinaikos FC 5-1 and their next opponents, FC Rubin Kazan, were undone by a Dame N'Doye goal three minutes from time at FC København.

There was just one goal in it at the Stade de Gerland as Olympique Lyonnais edged past ten-man FC Schalke 04 while nothing could separate Manchester United FC and Rangers FC in a match overshadowed by a suspected broken ankle for Antonio Valencia. Finally, SL Benfica scored a goal in each half at home to Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC to complete a night that brought 22 goals in eight matches.

Group A

FC Twente 2-2 FC Internazionale Milano

SV Werder Bremen 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur FC

Group B

Olympique Lyonnais 1-0 FC Schalke 04

SL Benfica 2-0 Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC

Group C

Manchester United FC 0-0 Rangers FC

Bursaspor 0-0 Valencia CF

Group D

FC Barcelona 5-1 Panathinaikos FC

FC København 1-0 FC Rubin Kazan