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Van Nistelrooy strikes again and again

Bayern Munich's Roy Makaay, left, vies for the ball against Juventus Turin's Fabio Cannavaro during their Group C Champion's League return match in Munich. PHOTO: AFP

Both Lyon and Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy struck four times in Group D of the Champions League on Wednesday as the French champions downed Fenerbahce 4-2 while the Dutch star's goals saw United to a 4-1 victory over Sparta Prague.

Lyon were joined in the next round by Juventus courtesy of a 1-0 away win over Bayern Munich, who must be anxiously looking over their shoulders in Group C as Maccabi Tel Aviv recorded Israel's first ever victory in the Champions League group stage with a 2-1 win at home to once proud Dutch giants Ajax.

Bayern lead the latter two sides by just three points with two matches remaining.

Juventus coach Fabio Capello's former side AS Roma just about stayed in the hunt for a place in the last 16 thanks to an injury-time goal from Vincenzo Montella to force a 1-1 home draw with Bayer Leverkusen in Group B.

However, Roma need to win their last two matches by handsome margins and hope results go their way elsewhere as with a solitary point they trail not only Leverkusen but Dynamo Kiev and Real Madrid -- who fought out a 2-2 draw in Ukraine with Real coming from 2-0 down -- by six points.

Real Madrid's Guti, right, fights for the ball with Dynamo Kiev's Diogo Rincon during their Champions League Group B match in Kiev. PHOTO: AFP

While that group is set to go down to the final match so does Group A as 1-0 victories for Olympiakos and Liverpool over Monaco and Deportivo La Coruna respectively saw them leapfrog the French side and lead them by a point.

Lyon had Brazilian youngster Nilmar to thank for their victory as he scored twice in injury-time to clinch the 4-2 win over their Turkish opponents but the French side's coach Paul Le Guen preferred to focus on the overall effort.

Bayer Leverkusen's defender and captain Carsten Ramelow, right, clashes with AS Roma's captain Francesco Totti during their Group B football match in Rome. PHOTO: AFP

"There was a lot of heart and determination in that performance," the former Paris Saint Germain central defender said.

"It was difficult but it is a hell of an achievement to qualify for the Champions League after four matches," added Le Guen, who won the 1996 Cup Winners Cup as a player with PSG.

United look all but certain to join Lyon in the next round as they lead Fenerbahce by five points, but understandably Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to talk about van Nistelrooy, who showed his class by reacting to the Scot's demand that his strikers step up to the plate.

"Ruud -- he's just unbelievable," a delighted Ferguson purred after van Nistelrooy had taken his total to 35 goals in 36 European matches for United.

"He's definitely the best, most clinical finisher we've seen here. You hope all the chances will fall to him."

For Bayern's handler Felix Magath there was deep frustration as his side went down to a 90th minute winner by Alessandro del Piero, who shrugged off the constant jeering after trying to win a penalty earlier in the match.

"We created so many chances and should have had the game wrapped up in the first half," fumed Magath.

"The draw looked secure and then came the goal," added the former German international striker, who said that he was still confident they would progress.

While Magath continued to believe in his side making the knockout stage, Roma coach Luigi Del Neri admitted that their chances were remote, but vowed to fight until the end.

"There is a small probability and as long as we have that we will give everything," he said.

"Obviously it is a long shot, but we have to keep believing."

Olympiakos maintained their fine form at home as having seen Liverpool off 1-0 they did the same to last season's Champions League finalists.

Olympiakos coach Dusan Bajevic said it was mission accomplished.

"We got what we wanted from the match and that is the three points," said Bajevic, who has guided his side to a similar victory over Liverpool.

"This gives us the momentum we want ahead of the Deportivo La Coruna match as I don't want to go to Liverpool in the final match needing to qualify," he added.

Didier Deschamps believed his side should have got a point but acknowledged that the group was now on a knife's edge and his side's home match against Liverpool in three weeks time takes on added significance.

Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, said it was imperative that his team did not take their eye off the ball for the trip to the principality.

"Now it is a question of keeping focused and looking ahead to the next game," said the Spaniard.

How he must envy Le Guen and Capello, who can now concentrate on their domestic leagues with contented smiles rather than bite their fingernails for the next month.

Olympiakos vs Monaco

A late goal by Argentinian Gabriel Schurrer dealt a severe blow to Monaco's hopes of returning to the Champions League final on Wednesday as Olympiakos defeated the French side 1-0 in their Group A clash in Athens.

The 33-year-old's goal six minutes from time ensured the Greek giants went top of the group alongside Liverpool, who won 1-0 away at Deportivo La Coruna, with Monaco slipping from first to third, a point adrift of the top two with two matches remaining.

Olympiakos coach Dusan Bajevic said it was mission achieved.

"We got what we wanted from the match and that is the three points," said Bajevic, who has guided his side to a similar victory over Liverpool.

"This gives us the momentum we want ahead of the Deportivo La Coruna match as I don't want to go to Liverpool in the final match needing to qualify," he added.

His Monaco counterpart Didier Deschamps said Olympiakos deserved to be in contention for a knockout phase place but believed his side deserved a point.
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