Slavia and CSKA scrap to victory

VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach 0-0 Hamburger SV

Hamburg were fortunate to come away with a draw and stay third in the Bundesliga after Mönchengladbach controlled the game while failing to convert a number of chances.

Without the suspended Rafael van der Vaart, Hamburg lacked a creative spark while they were often guilty of alarming lapses of concentration in defence. Coach Thomas Doll also had to make do without the key trio of Guy Demel (suspension), Emile Mpenza (shin) and Bastian Reinhardt (thigh).

Afterwards, Doll expressed relief at gaining a point and admitted his players were tired. "Sometimes you just have to admit that the other side are better and settle for a draw," he said. "We could have been two down at half-time so I am quite pleased with the result. People shouldn't forget that we have played a lot of games this season and I think the international break might do us good."

SK Slavia Praha 2-0 1. FC Slovácko

Slavia kept in touch at the top of the Czech First Division with a hard-fought victory that was earned despite playing much of the game with ten men.

Goalkeeper Matúš Kozáčík was sent off after 54 minutes, by which time his team were leading thanks to a 19th-minute Dušan Švento effort and in-form Stanislav Vlček's well-taken finish four minutes after half-time. With Aleskander Šeliga replacing Kozáčík in goal, the anticipated Slovácko onslaught never really materialised, and when Slovácko's Jan Palinek was also dismissed ten minutes from time, the contest was all but over.

The result was particularly satisfying for coach Karel Jarolím, against the club that had sacked him last season, and he paid tribute to his players for responding so well after being reduced to ten men. "I was worried after our goalkeeper was sent off," he said. "We have played three tough games in six days and I am pleased with the way my players have coped."

Viking FK

Coach Roy Hodgson is in the process of setting up a series of practice matches in preparation for his team's final two Group A games, following the conclusion of the Norwegian season last weekend.

Viking, who finished fifth in the Tippeligaen, have no new injury worries ahead of the visit of Slavia, with Peter Kovacs out with cruciate ligament damage, while Fredric Lundqvist (heel), Thomas Pereira (thigh) and Ronny Deila (back) are all rated doubtful. Hodgson said: "We need a win from either of our last two matches. We may need four points to go through."

Paris Saint-Germain FC 0-0 AS Monaco FC

Monaco remain eighth in Ligue 1 after drawing their third blank of the season despite dominating much of the match in Paris. Indeed, the two main concerns for coach Francesco Guidolin will be the failure to turn possession into goals and the growing injury list blighting his squad.

Goalkeeper Flavio Roma, full-back Eric Cubilier, centre-back Sébastien Squillaci and striker David Gigliotti were all unavailable while midfielder Gerard López limped out of the action after 65 minutes with an ankle problem.

Squillaci and Roma are major doubts for the 24 November meeting with Hamburg, although midfielder Akis Zikos insists recent performances provide cause for optimism. "We deserved more than a point against PSG but in the end, the result was not so bad. We are getting stronger with each game we play."

PFC Lokomotiv Sofia 1-2 PFC CSKA Sofia

CSKA Sofia required an added-time winner at Lokomotiv to maintain their grip at the top of the Bulgarian Premier League.

Tsvetan Genkov put Lokomotiv ahead on 17 minutes before teenage debutant Aleksandar Branekov restored parity eleven minutes later. Lokomotiv wasted several good opportunities to recover their lead in the second half and were punished in the final minute when Brazilian Tiago Silva scored from the penalty spot, following a foul on Yordan Todorov.

"It was very difficult for us following the 4-2 defeat at Slavia on Thursday," said coach Miodrag Ješić. "We know our own abilities and have not lost confidence after two UEFA Cup defeats, but the Lokomotiv game was very tough mentally." Defender Valentin Iliev and midfielder Mourad Hdiouad remain long-term absentees.