Milanese giants move centre stage

Two of Italy's proudest clubs, neighbours Milan AC and Internazionale FC, are among the six former European champions looking to return to the continental spotlight via the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.

'My most important match'
Both clubs missed out on the Champions League last year - reaching the UEFA Cup semi-finals instead - and in the case of Inter, European champions twice in the Sixties, it is four seasons since they competed in the tournament proper. In 2000, they lost at this stage against Sweden's Helsingborgs IF and after a summer of financial unease across Italian football, Inter coach Hector Cúper has described the tie against Sporting Clube de Portugal as "the most important" match since he took charge of the club. However, the focus, at least for the Italian press, has not been today's first leg in Lisbon but rather the uncertainty over Ronaldo's future.

Ronaldo absent
The Brazilian striker, who is reportedly not fully fit yet after returning from holiday last week, did not travel with the Inter party and remains the subject of speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid CF. It is not certain that Cúper's main summer signing, Fabio Cannavaro, will start but Francesco Coco, another new boy, will feature, probably in the 4-4-2 system Inter have been playing in pre-season. Should Cannavaro play, Javier Zanetti would be likely to push up into midfield.

No Jardel
If Ronaldo is the source of constant speculation in Milan, Sporting have concerns of their own, with striker Mario Jardel reportedly receiving treatment for psychological problems. Playmaker João Pinto is banned after his attack on a referee during the FIFA World Cup and Sá Pinto is out with a long-term injury. The Romanian Marius Niculae is expected to lead the line, with a substitute's role for Vitalyi Kutuzov, the loan signing from Inter's rivals, Milan. Cúper considers the tie a tough assignment. "Inter are not expecting any gifts from Sporting, as they are a strong team even without their biggest striking threat, Jardel," he said.
 
Liberec 'a good unit'
On paper at least, Milan have the easier task against Czech champions FC Slovan Liberec at the San Siro. Although rumours persist of a move for Alessandro Nesta, it has been a quiet summer by their standards, Milan's main acquisitions being Rivaldo and Clarence Seedorf. Of this pair, Rivaldo is not ready to play while Seedorf is vying for a starting role with Serginho. Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti described Liberec as "a good unit" and the Czechs have certainly started the domestic season well, winning two of their first three matches and the drawing the other while not conceding a single goal. 
 
O'Shea to start
The 1999 champions Manchester United FC visit Hungary's Zalaegerszegi TE without British record signing Rio Ferdinand, who sprained his ankle in a friendly against CA Boca Juniors at the weekend. Goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is also missing, because of a thigh injury, and the duo are likely to be replaced by John O'Shea and Roy Carroll respectively.

Past winners
FC Bayern München, four-times champions, most recently in 2001, travel to Belgrade after opening their domestic campaign with a goalless draw against VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach at the weekend. They face an FK Partizan side who started their season impressively with a 5-1 over Hajduk Kula. Of the other past winners playing in the third qualifying round, Louis van Gaal begins his second spell as FC Barcelona coach at home against Legia Warszawa, while Celtic FC play host to FC Basel. Around 1,000 fans have travelled to Scotland from Switzerland for a match rated by Basel coach Christian Gross as the biggest since they last played in the European Champion Clubs' Cup 22 years ago.

Dynamo's injury woes
Bosnia-Herzegovnian champions FK Zeljeznicar are without their suspended captain Bulend Biscevic at home to a Newcastle United FC side missing the experienced Welsh international Gary Speed, while FC Dynamo Kyiv will field new signing Goran Sablic against PFC Levski Sofia. However, the Croatian defender's presence is unlikely to compensate for the many absences hampering the Ukrainian side's prospects. They are missing their whole back line, as well as playmaker Valentin Belkevich.

Grazer's new man
Ukrainian champions FC Shakhtar Donetsk will be out to shackle one of their own countrymen when they take on a Club Brugge side featuring Ukraine striker Serhiy Serebrennikov, while two Nordic neighbours meet in Trondheim as Rosenborg BK take on Brøndby IF where on-loan striker Trond Fredrik Ludvigsen will make his Rosenborg debut if Harald Brattbakk does not recover from injury. Finally, Christian Keglevits's first game in charge of Grazer AK comes at home to FC Lokomotov Moscow, who will have their own new face on show in the Brazilian midfield player Julio Cesar.