Champions League review:Inter Milan battled into the Champions League last 16 after goals from Samuel Eto'o and Mario Balotelli secured a 2-0 home win over Rubin Kazan. The Italian champions needed a win in their final Group F game to guarantee their place and although it was far from convincing, they did enough to dump the Russians out and finish second.
Evergreen captain Javier Zanetti, filling in at left back for the suspended Cristian Chivu, showed dogged determination when surrounded by defenders in the corner and Balotelli cut the ball back for Eto'o to smash home on the half hour mark.
Balotelli had another frustrating match before blasting in a 35-metre free kick just after the hour to spark a party atmosphere.
Defending champions Barcelona topped the group thanks to a Lionel Messi's superb free-kick and Xavi's 33rd minute equaliser after Artem Milevskiy gave the homeside the lead in the second minute.
Alberto Gilardino scored a last-gasp winner for Fiorentinato secure a 2-1 win over Liverpooland top spot in the Champions League Group E.
Yossi Benayoun gave the Premier League side the lead with a 43rd minute header at Anfield before Martin Jorgensen scored a 63rd minute equaliser for the Italians. Gilardino won it in the final minute after converting a Juan Vargas cross.
With Fiorentina safely through to the last 16 and five-times European champions Liverpool resigned to playing in the Europa League next year, this was a dead rubber for the homeside.
But there was some encouragement for Liverpool fans in the shape of midfielder Alberto Aquilani. The €22 million signing from Roma in August had made just three substitute appearances since his move but showed some decent touches on his first start before being substituted after 75 minutes.
Reflecting on his side's campaign Steven Gerrard admitted it had been “not good enough”.
The captain told Sky Sports 2: “If you look at the whole campaign, it was not good enough from our point of view but now we need to try to qualify for the same competition next year.
“It wasn’t our strongest team but we gave a good account of ourselves.
“We were a bit unlucky to lose in the end.
“There was not much in it as far as points were concerned. It was just about getting this game out of the way and trying to get good preparation for the game against Arsenal on Sunday.”
Olympique Lyoncrushed Debrecen4-0 with two goals in each half but that was not enough to sneak ahead of Fiorentina.
Striker Bafetimbi Gomis opened the scoring on 25 minutes, following up after Debrecen keeper Djordje Pantic failed to block an effort by Sidney Govou.
Brazilian midfielder Michel Bastos doubled the advantage from close range just before the break. Miralem Pjanic made it 3-0 on the hour from a Bastos cross before defender Aly Cissokho wrapped it up with a powerful shot from the edge of the box.
Olympiakosjoined Arsenalin the last 16 after Leonardo's solitary goal gave the Greek side a narrow 1-0 victory over a youthful Gunners team.
The Brazilian raced clear to slot through the legs of Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski just two minutes into the second half.
Greek titleholders Olympiakos went through as the second-placed team from Group H with 10 points, three behind Arsenal who had already qualified.
Standard Liegegoalkeeper Sinan Bolat scored an injury time header to snatch a 1-1 draw at home to AZ Alkmaarand earn a Europa League spot for the Belgian champions.
Bolat rose high five minutes into injury time to nod home after Jeremain Lens had grabbed the lead for the Dutch visitors in the 42nd minute when he latched on to a cross from Sebastien Pocognoli to side-foot the ball into the bottom corner.
It was Alkmaar's first game under Belgian national coach Dick Advocaat, who took over for the remainder of the season yesterday following the sacking of Ronald Koeman.
Sevillamade sure of top spot in Group G when a Frederic Kanoute penalty gave them a comfortable 1-0 home victory over Rangers.
The home side almost took the lead in the third minute when a Kanoute effort was cleared off the line and the referee then waved away Sevilla's appeal for a Rangers handball in the penalty area from the resulting corner.
He was more receptive when Fernando Navarro tumbled over Steven Whittaker's outstretched leg in the seventh minute and Mali striker Kanoute sent Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor the wrong way from the spot.
A slick and well-organised Sevilla dominated possession throughout and easily repelled any of the rare forays upfield by their ineffective opponents.
VfB Stuttgartfinished in second on nine points after the Bundesliga side beat Unirea Urziceni3-1 to send the Romanians into the Europa League. Rangers, without a win, finished bottom with two points.
Rangers defender David Weir admitted his side were left trying to “minimise the damage” tonight.
The 39-year-old told Sky Sports: “They’re a good side, by far the best in the section in my opinion. You’ve got to give them a lot of credit. We were just trying to minimise the damage.”
Despite their struggles, Weir believes Rangers’ record this season is not an accurate reflection of their form.
He continued: “It could have gone better within games. We’ve had chances and that little bit of luck has gone against us.
“But we haven’t grasped chances when they’ve come our way. Two points, I think we’re better than that.”
