First tests for former champions
Tuesday, 10 August 2004
A trio of former European champions are playing for their places in the UEFA Champions League group stage when the third qualifying round begins tonight. Juventus FC, Liverpool FC and SL Benfica are all in action as six of the 16 ties get under way, marking the first competitive match for these clubs' respective new managers, Fabio Capello, Rafael Benítez and Giovanni Trapattoni.
Nedved absent
In the case of Capello, who led AC Milan to Champions League success in 1994, his Juventus side face Sweden's Djugårdens IF without midfield players Pavel Nedved and Mauro Camoranesi and suspended defender Jonathan Zebina. Paolo Montero and Igor Tudor are also doubtful for the visit of Djugården, who overcame Lithuania's FBK Kaunas in the previous round.