Spaniards chase clean sweep

Roma blitzed
Madrid, the holders and nine-times winners of club football's greatest prize, blitzed AS Roma 3-0 in the Eternal City last night, while Valencia, the champions of Spain, accounted for Liverpool FC in style, winning 2-0. Tonight Deportivo travel to FC Bayern München and Barcelona entertain Club Brugge KV.

Superiority at stake
Early superiority in Group G, the toughest of the eight sections, is at stake at the Olympiastadion. Deportivo and Bayern have never met, although the Galicians have an unenviable record against 1. Bundesliga opposition. Their last trip to Germany saw them humbled 3-0 by Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Further intrigue
A man instrumental in that defeat but now a Bayern player, Zé Roberto, said of tonight's opponents: "Leverkusen beat them twice last season and I believe Bayern have a stronger team than Leverkusen." Indeed, the presence of Milan AC and RC Lens, who face off at San Siro, serves to add further intrigue to what promises to be a tight group.

Cocu confident
While Depor could hardly have a more difficult start, Barça, led once more by Louis van Gaal, could have too much in their armoury for Brugge, who return to Europe's top table after a decade on the sidelines. Midfield player Philip Cocu believes the Catalans will not just beat their Belgian opponents, but possess the talent to go the distance. "We have been close in recent years, so let's see if we can go all the way this," the Dutchman said.

Open section
The remaining Group H encounter sees Galatasaray SK travel to the Russian capital to tackle FC Lokomotiv Moskva. The Turkish champions have lost all three previous matches in Moscow, each time without scoring. The fact Lokomotiv have played 26 games this season and their opponents just five could prove decisive, although both coaches believe the section is an open one.

Maccabi debut
This season's Champions League final will be staged at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United FC, and the 1999 winners begin their campaign at the 'Theatre of Dreams' tonight against tournament debutants Maccabi Haifa of Israeli. It will be United's 80th match in the competition, a record, but Maccabi do not intend to roll over. "We will not be lambs to the slaughter," said midfield player Walid Badier.

Feyenoord on a mission
Bayer 04 Leverkusen, who eliminated United in the semi-finals last term, are away to Olympiakos Piraeus FC in Group F's other tie. Another English club, Newcastle United FC, are in Ukraine to meet FC Dynamo Kyiv in Group E, while the top-seeded teams in the pool, Feyenoord and Juventus FC lock horns in Rotterdam, with the UEFA Cup holders aiming to prove their worth after being taught a lesson by Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco.