The return of Rui to the San Siro!

Milan vs Benfica
Stadio: San Siro

Ora: 20:45

Holders Milan, will come up against Benfica in the opening day of the Champions League campaign. It is a game that is met with warm anticipation as old fan's favourite Rui Costa will return to his old ground of the San Siro for the first time since his departure two years ago. It will also be an exciting first game as the both teams host a wide variety of talent.

Benfica will go into the tie feeling fairly confident as they managed a 3-0 win against Navas on the weekend however, they did suffer a blow in the shape of Petit as he will be out with for 3 weeks due to a knee injury sustained on the weekend. Whilst Freddy Adu has not been included in the list of players travelling to Milan.

Milan, too, have their own injury problems to worry about as Milan will be without Ronaldo, Maldini and Serginho, all who will be out for at least a month. There is a slight worry over Pirlo's condition as he is still battling to shake off the knock he got against the French,but Emerson and Brocchi will be availble shoudl the need arise to replace Pirlo.

The Rossoneri come into this game the only team failing to win in their respective leagues this weekend, out of Group D, as they drew to struggling Siena on Saturday evening. While worries are also directed in attack and in between the poles as Dida continued with his trademark howlers on the weekend and Milan have been lacking the firepower upfront. Athens hero Pippo Inzaghi is said to start upfront for I diavoli.

Unfortunately for the Portuguese the San Siro hasn't been a happy hunting ground for them as they are yet to win on Italian soil, loosing eight times out of nine. While Milan have happy memories against Benfica having beaten them twice to take home the Champions League crown.

Men to watch:
Rui Costa, the ex number 10 has hit form at the right time and he will certainly be out to put up a great show for his team in front of his old fans.

Kaka, Milan's top goalscorer is always out to prove a point and he is certainly not going to let the battle between him and Rui Costa go unnoticed.

It certainly will not be an easy game for the current European Champions and they will have a tough task for the start of their defense of the Champions Trophy.