New names face old favourites

Thun test
Of the three debutants, two have home advantage, although it is the game at Highbury that throws up the sharpest contrast. Swiss side FC Thun, who overcame FC Dynamo Kyiv and Malmö FF in qualifying, face a baptism of fire as they travel to England to play Arsenal FC in Group B. Two seasoned campaigners complete the section, with AC Sparta Praha tackling AFC Ajax.

Welcome returns
In Spain, Villarreal CF will hope to make an early impact in Group D against 1999 champions Manchester United FC while French team LOSC Lille Métropole are back in the competition for the first time since 2001/02, making the trip to Portugal's finest, SL Benfica, who have themselves not featured at this level since 1998/99. SK Rapid Wien, in Group A, launch their first group-stage challenge since 1999 against four-time European champions FC Bayern München in Vienna, while in Belgium, Club Brugge KV receive Juventus FC, winners in 1985 and 1996.

Udinese involvement
The last side taking their first steps in the blue-riband event are Serie A representatives Udinese Calcio, with Panathinaikos FC of Greece - in the group stage for the third year running - visiting Italy. The Group C picture is completed by 1992 victors FC Barcelona, away at Werder Bremen in Germany.

Paris in springtime
The group stage runs until early December, with the top two in each section progressing to the knockout phase and the third-placed team entering the UEFA Cup Round of 32. The Champions League final takes place at the Stade de France, Paris on 17 May 2006.