Porto stage campaign opener
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Article summary
FC Porto begin their title defence against PFC CSKA Moskva while two previous finals are repeated on Matchday 1.
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Porto opener
PFC CSKA Moskva will be the visitors to the Estádio do Dragão on Tuesday 14 September, as Porto start their Group H campaign in the arena that staged the opening UEFA EURO 2004™ fixture. In the same section José Mourinho, who coached Porto to their triumph last season, will lead Chelsea FC for the first time in a European game at Paris Saint-Germain FC.
Larsson return
That same night, Henrik Larsson will return to Celtic FC with his new club FC Barcelona in Group F, while AC Milan visit FC Shakhtar Donetsk. In Group E, Arsenal FC will welcome PSV Eindhoven, with Rosenborg BK travelling to Panathinaikos FC, and in Group G Spanish champions Valencia CF will play RSC Anderlecht at the Mestalla while German title-holders Werder Bremen head to FC Internazionale.
Final repeat
Fans of Champions League history will enjoy the following evening. Group B begins with a repeat of the 2003 final with Real Madrid CF hosted by their victims that night, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, in a pool that also matches AS Roma with FC Dynamo Kyiv.
Ajax welcome Juve
Meanwhile, AFC Ajax can avenge their penalty shoot-out defeat by Juventus FC in 1996 when the Group C rivals meet in Amsterdam. FC Bayern München, also former winners of this competition, go to group stage debutants Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC in that pool.
Monaco trip
Elsewhere on 15 September, Group A opens by pitting Liverpool FC against last season's runners-up, AS Monaco FC, at Anfield and sending Olympiacos CFP to RC Deportivo La Coruña. In Group D, French champions Olympique Lyonnais entertain Manchester United FC and AC Sparta Praha visit Fenerbahçe SK.
