Wednesday's Champions League fixtures
As the first games in Groups E–H of this season's Champions League get underway on Wednesday, sixteen of Europe's finest teams stand prepared to get a good start to their European bids.
Eredivisie runners-up Ajax travel to face Real Madrid in what could be the most thrilling encounter of the evening.
Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to start for the Spaniards, as he did against Osasuna over the weekend. He will likely be partnered by Mesut Oezil in midfield, while strikers Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain will do their best to get on the scoresheet.
Despite Real's attacking threat, Ajax's Martin Jol will not abandon his and the club's trademark 4-3-3 formation. Striker Luis Suarez and defender Jan Vertonghen are both suspended for the match.
Last season's finalists Bayern Munich will play AS Roma, fresh from a 5–1 thumping at Cagliari, at the Allianz Arena.
Francesco Totti and Adriano Leite Ribeiro will both travel with the Italian team, boosting Claudio Ranieri's attacking options agains the Bundesliga champions.
That said, Stefano Okaka, John Arne Riise, Rodrigo Taddei, Philippe Mexes and Mirko Vucinic have all been left out of the Roma squad.
Bayern are without Franck Ribery, who is suspended, and the injured Arjen Robben. Ivica Olic or Mario Gomez will lead Luis van Gaal's attack.
Milan to bounce back?
AC Milan, defeated by Serie A newcomers Cesena on Saturday, will be looking for revenge against Auxerre at the San Siro. Clarence Seedorf will return to Massimiliano Allegri's Milan team, while Mathieu Flamini is out injured.
Alexandre Pato, Ronaldinho Gaucho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic could, once again, form Milan's attacking lineup as Robinho starts on the bench.
Ireneusz Jelen, Stephane Grichting and Valter Birsa should return for the French side after being rested at the weekend.
Arsenal, who were knocked out by Barcelona in the quarter-finals last year, will host Portuguese side Braga in North London.
Midfielder Abou Diaby picked up an ankle injury after a questionable challenge by Bolton's Paul Robinson over the weekend, while Thomas Vermaelen will be missing with an Achilles injury.
Left-back Uwa Elderson Echiejile and midfielder Leandro Salino will miss out for the Portuguese side.
Having eliminated Sparta Prague in the play-off round, Slovakian team MSK Zilina are making their debut in the Champions League. Chelsea will visit Stadium Pod Dubnom for their first game, and the Slovaks will be happy with a point.
Captain John Terry should start for Chelsea after sustaining a rib injury against West Ham, while Ashley Cole has been rested.
With Didier Drogba suspended, the team will look to Frenchmen Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda when going forward.
Spartak travel to France
Meanwhile Spartak Moscow, who reached the semi-finals of the tournament two decades ago, face Marseille in France.
Didier Deschamps' side will fancy their chances against the Russians, as defender Gabriel Heinze returns to the starting eleven.
With playmaker Fernando Luiz Rosa injured, Shakthar Donetsk may suffer against Serbian champions Partizan Belgrade.
Shakhtar have a strong home record in Europe, but Partizan will be difficult to get past as defenders Joseph Kizito and Mladen Krstajic both return.
Romanian side CFR Cluj are in the group stages of the Champions League for the second time, and Sorin Cartu's team will do their best as Swiss champions FC Basel pay a visit.
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