Group E
Milan v Fenerbahce

Milan return to the country where they suffered their now-infamous collapse to Liverpool in last season’s final, squandering a 3 – 0 half time lead to lose the match on penalties.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti, however, is confident that the Rosioneri can atone for their mistakes, and reclaim the trophy they won three seasons ago.

“Yes, it (the defeat) happened,” he conceded. “But it doesn’t mean that we should get depressed about it.

“It should make us want to play better this time out and I’m sure that, if we play to our potential, we can go on to win the tournament.”

The Italians, will have to fare without Czech international left-back Marek Jankalovski (suspension) and Dutch centre-back Jaap Stam (muscle strain). The duo are likely to be replaced by Paulo Maldini and Kakha Kaladze.

Meanwhile, Christian Vieri is likely to get the nod over fellow new signing Alberto Gilardino, and partner Andriey Schevchenko up front.

Fenerbache coach Cristoph Daum is determined to “play from the front and not sit back and wait for them to attack”.

Therefore, he is likely to stick with his nominal 4-1-3-1-1 formation, with the diminutive Brazilian, Alex, playing just in behind Nicholas Anelka, rather than formulate any special plans to counter Milan’s attacking threat.