Bayern master Juve to maintain perfect start

James Whelan

Sebastian Deisler opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a shot from just inside the box that struck goalkeeper Christian Abbiati’s thigh and flew in. Seven minutes later, Martin Demichelis headed in a Deisler corner for the second.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulled one back in the final minute, blasting in from a corner, but Bayern held on.

Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero came on as a substitute for his 100th appearance in a European club match and forced a good save from Oliver Kahn but there were few other chances for the Italian side.

Despite the defeat, Juve remain well placed to qualify for the knock-out phase with six points.

Club Bruges earned their first Champions League victory of the season, beating Rapid Vienna thanks to a messy Bosko Balaban goal in the 75th minute.

In Arsenal’s Group B, Ajax Amsterdam’s Greek striker Ioannis Anastasiou struck twice to clinch a 2-0 victory over Swiss minnows Thun.

The win takes Ajax up one place to second with four points behind the Gunners.

Anastasiou scored in the 36th minute after holding off Ljubo Milicevic and placing the ball inside the near post after good work by Steven Pienaar.

The third-choice striker struck again 10 minutes into the second half, slotting the ball home after Thun defender Alen Orman directed the ball into his path.

In Group C, substitute Antonio Di Natale grabbed an 86th minute equaliser as Udinese fought back for a 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen.

Werder,without a point from their opening two matches, had looked set for victory thanks to an own goal from Udinese’s Brazilian defender Felipe.

There were few chances in a disappointing game but the breakthrough came for the visitors in the 64th minute when Felipe headed Christian Schulz’s deep free-kick past his keeper Morgan De Sanctis.

Udinese coach Serse Cosmi brought on Stefano Mauri and Di Natale in a double switch which paid off handsomely when the pair combined for the latter’s confidently taken equaliser.

Barcelona’s impressive winning start to their Champions League campaign came to a crashing halt when they were held to a goalless draw by Panathinaikos at the Olympic Stadium.

Samuel Eto’o came closest for Barcelona but was twice denied by Mario Galinovic and late on failed to find the net from a tight angle after rounding the Panathinaikos goalkeeper.

In Manchester United’s Group D, a spectacular strike from midfielder Manuel Fernandes earned Benfica a 1-1 draw at Villarreal at the Madrigal.

Villarreal seemed set for their first win in the group when Juan Roman Riquelme put the Spaniards ahead from the penalty spot after defender Ricardo Rocha upended Juan Pablo Sorin 17 minutes from time.

But Benfica, who had dominated the first half, refused to fold and hit back four minutes later when Fernandes pounced after the ball squirted into his path 25 metres from goal.

The midfielder controlled the ball with his chest and then sent a dipping volley over the head of keeper Sebastian Viera to earn Ronald Koeman’s side a deserved point.