Roma have tightened their grip on second place in UCL Group D by claiming a vital 1-0 win over Olympiacos thanks to Simone Perrotta's solitary goal at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium.

The Italy midfielder converted substitute Alejandro Rossi's cross to seal all three points following a tense encounter in the Greek capital.

It took Olympiacos 10 minutes to register their first shot but Predrag Djordjevic awoke the fans from their slumber by blasting a long-range effort over Doni's crossbar.

Roma midfielder Ricardo Faty showed much more athleticism than his name suggested by keeping Rivaldo in check in the first half and breaking up the home side's midfield play.

Inter Milan have made life hard for themselves but held on to defeat Spartak Moscow 2-1 to earn their first points in Champions League Group B.

It seemed like it was going to be an easy night for Roberto Mancini's side when Julio Cruz struck twice in the first nine minutes.

But Spartak didn't go down without a fight and Roman Pavlyuchenko's goal in the 54th minute brought them right back in it.

Dejan Stankovic had a goal disallowed while Spartak had a chance to equalise late on, but goalkeeper Julio Cesar ensured Inter kept hold of the full three points to finally get their Champions League campaign up and running.

Despite having made a dreadful start to their campaign, Inter coach Roberto Mancini appeared to be taking their crucial tie with Spartak lightly as he left Hernan Crespo on the bench, preferring instead to hand Cruz a rare start.

The Argentinian was keen to take his chance, however, and slammed a close-range effort in after just two minutes.

Alvaro Recoba's free-kick was inadvertently played into the path of Cruz by Patrick Vieira, and Cruz accepted the gift to fire in off the underside of the crossbar.

Recoba and Cruz combined again to double the home side's advantage before 10 minutes had even been played.

The Uruguayan, benefiting from the suspension to Zlatan Ibrahimovic to earn a place in the starting XI, lofted his cross from the left onto the head of Cruz, who couldn't miss from six yards out.

Inter appeared too comfortable with a two-goal cushion and allowed Spartak to slowly find a way back into the game.

Although the Russians rarely posed a threat to Julio Cesar in the Inter goal, their increased possession was looking ominous.

PA SPORT