Paris: Four months after winning the Champions League title, Chelsea will start afresh their defence when they take on Italian champions Juventus in a Group E encounter at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Despite the fact that Juventus are making their first appearance in the competition in three years, Roberto Di Matteo`s side should not take things lightly if they were to advance in the competition.
In Group H, Manchester United will also be seen in action on Wednesday against Galatasaray, who famously knocked them out of the competition in 1993.
Barcelona, under Tito Vilanova, will play host to Spartak Moscow at the Camp Nou in their Group G opener. They will the services of skipper Carles Puyol after suffering a knee injury in the 4-1 weekend win at Getafe.
Last season`s runners-up Bayern begin their latest bid for a fifth European Cup with a home clash against Valencia in Germany, and it`s a game that skipper Philipp Lahm will not be taking lightly by any means.
Bayern and Valencia are in Group F along with Lille and BATE Borisov, who clash in France.
Elsewhere, Ukraine`s Shakhtar Donetsk play Danish champions Nordsjaelland in Group E, while Braga and CFR Cluj meet in Group H.
Agencies
First Published: Tuesday, September 18, 2012, 10:22