Italians pursue perfection

AC Milan and S.S. Lazio will be determined to extend the perfect start made by Italian teams in the UEFA Champions League tonight when they play RC Celta de Vigo and AC Sparta Praha respectively.

Misguided talk
This time last year there was misguided talk of the dwindling power of Italian football. Such speculation was quickly dismissed, however, as Milan, the eventual champions, Juventus FC, the runners-up, and Internazionale FC all reached the semi-finals of Europe's premier club tournament.

Follow suit
Last night's victories by Inter and Juventus, over FC Dynamo Kyiv and Olympiacos CFP respectively, maintained their 100 per cent record in this year's competition and Milan and Lazio will be looking to follow suit tonight. uefa.com's extensive coverage of the action includes live text and audio commentaries, plus video highlights.

Lone striker
Milan are wary of the threat their Spanish opposition will pose in Vigo in Group H and may employ a lone striker. "Celta are very dangerous in attack," coach Carlo Ancelotti said, "with [Savo] Milosevic, [Aleksandr] Mostovoi and Gustavo López. They play like [RC] Deportivo La Coruña. They are very good at attacking and are dangerous down the wing. Last year we did well against Deportivo with just one forward."

Nothing for granted
While Milan are in Spain, Lazio welcome Sparta to Rome in Group G. However, Roberto Mancini's side will be taking nothing for granted. "They are well-organised, have some good players and nearly drew with Chelsea [FC]," said Mancini. "This is not the 'weak' team of the group."

Fine start
Chelsea are another team looking to continue their fine start to the season when they host Turkey's Besiktas JK who will be desperate for a win having lost on Matchday 1. Claudio Ranieri's all-stars know they are in for a tough match, though. "Besiktas are a very good team," Ranieri said. "I watched them last Sunday when they won 5-0 [against Trabzonspor]. They played well and have the personality and philosophy of champions."

British sides
The other two British sides in action are also looking to add to opening-night victories. Rangers FC travel to Panathinaikos FC and Manchester United FC go to VfB Stuttgart, both in Group A.

Key players missing
Real Madrid CF are the team to watch in Group F and tonight they travel to FC Porto, the UEFA Cup holders in what should be a thrilling encounter. Porto are without their captain and defensive linchpin Jorge Costa but Madrid have left the injured England captain David Beckham in Spain.

'Not afraid'
Olympique de Marseille, who were on the receiving end of Madrid's magic on Matchday 1, host FK Partizan, who earned a creditable draw with Porto two weeks ago. Partizan coach Lothar Matthäus knows the odds are stacked against them but feels that can work to their advantage as it did when they beat Newcastle United FC in the qualifying round. "Our status as underdogs suits us perfectly. We showed in Newcastle that we can make the most of it. The situation is hard for us, but we are not afraid," Matthäus said.

First victories
Two other teams looking for their first win are AFC Ajax and Club Brugge KV who meet in Amsterdam in the other Group H game. "If you want to make it to the second round, you have to win your home games," said Ajax coach Ronald Koeman.