Ajax proves it belongs in Europe

England enjoyed a fine night while French teams stumbled badly as Matchday Two of the Champions League kicked off Tuesday night across Europe.

Arsenal went to Belgrade with an under-strength side and real questions about their character after a weekend that saw them deservedly fall to tiny West Bromwich Albion. Their goalkeeping is almost incompetent and for the trip to Serbia, manager Arsene Wenger left the erratic Manuel Almunia in London, giving Lukas Fabianski a rare chance to shine.

Fabianski is not Arsenal’s future, for tonight raised more questions about their defense, and Arsenal can consider themselves fortunate to have gotten past a Partizan side that actually has a goalkeeper in Vladimir Stojkovic. Stojkovic kept his side in the game, and had Partizan not had Marko Jovanovic dismissed just shy of the hour mark, the Serbs might have come away with the draw.

Arsenal were under pressure early until, against the run of play, Andrei Arshavin smacked home a goal set up by Jack Wilshere in the 15th minute. That deflated the raucous crowd, before a stupid handball by Denilson in the box allowed Partizan to level behind Cleo’s penalty.

For long periods, Ajax looked the better team. Suarez had another dominant match, raising questions about just how long the talented Uruguayan can stay with what has become a small club. Jan Vertonghen was brilliant in the defense for the Dutch as well, consistently blunting Clarence Seedorf and Robinho’s attempts to break through.

The result showed the class the Dutch can bring in a group widely considered to be one of the toughest in the entire tournament; while Ajax have only one point to their name, they must expect that they can build off this against Auxerre in three weeks. Milan, of course, get to face Real Madrid.

Speaking of, it took an 81st minute goal from late substitute Angel DiMaria to give Real Madrid the victory at Auxerre in Group G, in another match that will have manager Jose Mourinho wondering how he can ignite a sputtering Madrid attack.

The Special One started Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo up front, a trio that ought to manufacture goals, but when Kamel Chafni cleared an Higuain strike off the line in the 14th minute it served notice both that Auxerre would defend to the end and that Real's inability to string things together fluently is still a concern.

Perhaps too much ran through Xabi Alonso, lying a bit deeper in midfield, or maybe it is just growing pains as Mourinho tries to fashion his style in Madrid. But fact is this one became a long slog against a French team which didn't get enough at the other end to really look like scoring. Delvin N'Dinga had a 27th minute header go past Iker Casillas' post and Ireneusz Jelen beat the offside trap in the 62nd minute to threaten, but the Auxerre game was too defensive and eventually got found out.

The goal was a beaut, as DiMaria chested down a ball wide on the left and gave Olivier Sorin no chance with a well-placed drive to the opposite corner. Justice done, but hardly in a style that will have anyone thinking this Mourinho team is a finished product. Real are top on six points, with AC Milan trailing on four.

Jamie Trecker is a senior writer for FoxSoccer.com covering the UEFA Champions League.