Rubin Kazan 0 Barcelona 0:BARCELONA endured another frustrating Champions League night against Rubin Kazan last night, having to settle for a goalless draw in a Group F match played in sub-zero temperatures.
Barca, who suffered a shock 2-1 defeat by the Russians at the Nou Camp two weeks ago, missed the best chance in the second minute when Zlatan Ibrahimovic raced clear on to an Andres Iniesta pass and hit a post. The visitors took the game to the Champions League debutants from the opening whistle and Ibrahimovic came desperately close when, faced with only keeper Sergei Ryzhikov to beat, he drifted his shot on to the far post.
The European champions pressed on with Xavi trying to lob Ryzhikov from outside the box and Lionel Messi going wide with a long-range effort. Ryzhikov, busy throughout the whole match, also denied Iniesta and Ibrahimovic before the interval.
Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes did well to keep his concentration when faced with a rare threat, stopping Alexander Ryazantsev’s low drive late in the first half.
Rubin substitute Alexander Bukharov could have scored against the run of play midway through the second half when he evaded two Barcelona defenders but Valdes beat him to the ball.
Barca’s last chance fell to substitute Thierry Henry but his left-footed shot flew well wide with the clock ticking down.
Dynamo Kiev 1 Inter Milan 2
INTER Milan scored twice in an exhilarating last four minutes to win 2-1 at Dynamo Kiev and revive their Champions League campaign last night.
Argentina striker Diego Milito scuffed in the equaliser from Wesley Sneijder’s pass and the Dutchman then poked in the winner in the 89th minute after waves of Inter pressure.
Former AC Milan forward Andriy Shevchenko, whose career nosedived under Inter coach Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, opened the scoring for the hosts in the 21st minute with a deflected effort.
Inter jumped to the top of the group with six points while Dynamo have four with two to play and are bottom, behind Barcelona and Rubin Kazan after their 0-0 draw in Russia left them with five apiece.
