London, Oct 02: Juventus, Inter Milan and Real Sociedad leave it late in the Champions League. Monaco starts early and doesn't stop.

All four teams took big steps toward advancing to the next round Tuesday. Juventus, last year's runner-up, got two goals from majestic Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved to beat Greece's Olympiakos 2-1 in Group D.
The winning goal, a fierce, swerving right-footed shot, came in the 79th minute. Nedved also scored in the 21st, canceling Ieroklis Stoltidis' 11th-minute effort.
Sociedad, playing in the competition for the first time, didn't give up against Turkey's Galatasaray, either. Xabi Alonso scored the winner in the 71st, his header going in after striking the crossbar.
Both Juventus and Sociedad have the maximum six points. Galatasaray, expected to contend with Sociedad for second place in the Group, and Olympiakos are 0-2.



Christian Vieri made a dramatic return for Inter. Vieri scored in second-half injury time as the blue and black -- semifinalists last year -- doubled Dynamo Kiev 2-1 in Group B.



Vieri was making his first appearance since September 10, when he injured his knee for Italy in a game against Serbia and Montenegro.



Without Vieri, Inter humbled English leader Arsenal 3-0 at Highbury two weeks ago.


Bureau Report