Inter and United seek belated ignition

Holders FC Internazionale Milano and Manchester United FC will be among the teams desperate to post their first UEFA Champions League wins on Matchday 2, when two clubs dripping with European pedigree lock horns in Amsterdam.

"We have a long way to go," said Internazionale coach Rafael Benítez after his charges had to fight back to salvage a 2-2 draw at FC Twente, but the Nerazzurri cannot afford to wait too long before finding their rhythm. SV Werder Bremen will be their visitors on Wednesday – and Inter's first Bundesliga opponents since defeating FC Bayern München in the May final – while elsewhere in Group A Tottenham Hotspur FC continue their education at home to Twente.

Tottenham's fellow Premier League tenants Manchester United were another side frustrated on Matchday 1 as they failed to find a way past Rangers FC, and Wednesday's trip to Valencia CF is sure to be an exacting mission for Sir Alex Ferguson's men. For their part, Rangers will attempt to spice up Group C at home against Turkish champions Bursaspor.

Olympique de Marseille got off to an even worse start as they succumbed on home soil to FC Spartak Moskva, and the French club's assignment at Chelsea FC on Tuesday is one of the week's standout fixtures. The Group F encounter represents a return to a former club for Didier Deschamps, not to mention a reunion with his old Juventus coach Carlo Ancelotti, but the OM boss will need to focus on toppling the team that triumphed handsomely at MŠK Žilina last time out.

Three-time winners FC Barcelona looked equally menacing as they dispatched Panathinaikos FC 5-1, but they should be wary of Wednesday's journey to FC Rubin Kazan in Group D after dropping five points to the Russian titleholders last term. Unpleasant memories will likewise be stirred for AS Roma against CFR 1907 Cluj in Group E, the Serie A stalwarts having lost the corresponding fixture in 2008/09.

The past also looms large at the Amsterdam ArenA as four-time European champions AFC Ajax entertain seven-time winners AC Milan. These sides have met ten times down the years, not least in the 1968/69 European Champion Clubs' Cup final – won by Milan – and the 1994/95 showpiece – won by Ajax – but Tuesday's challenge will be to accrue Group G points, with section rivals Real Madrid CF in action at AJ Auxerre.