Big guns head off on long road to Moscow

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - The aristocrats of European football get the chance to show off their latest accessories when the Champions League returns to stadiums across the continent this week.

All the usual suspects, with the notable exception of Bayern Munich, begin the long road to Moscow, all believing this could be their year to reign supreme.

The first round of group matches are liberally sprinkled with heavyweight clashes, AC Milan against Benfica in Group D and the Group A opener between Porto and Liverpool standing out among the 16 games this week.

Holders and seven-times European champions Milan have fond memories of playing Benfica, having twice beaten the Portuguese giants to lift the trophy.

Five-times European champions Liverpool, boosted by the arrival of Spanish striker Fernando Torres, will be wary of a trip to Porto, having not won in Portugal for 23 years.

Despite being a regular for Spain, the 23-year-old Torres has never paraded his skills in the Champions League and is eager to make up for lost time.

"Everyone wants to play in Europe, to be among the greats," he told Liverpool's Web site. "The chance to play in the Champions League and with great players is what matters. I want to contribute with my goals."

Porto's domestic rivals Sporting are also in action against English opposition when they take on Manchester United in Group F on Wednesday.