Champions' League, day 1

Valencia and Barcelona both had successful returns to the Champions' League with victories on the opening day of the league stage. However news was not so good for Spanish sides on the following day, Real Madrid falling to a surprise defeat and Deportivo being held to a draw at home.

Bayer Leverkusen 3 - Real Madrid 0

Bayer Leverkusen got their revenge for their defeat in the 2002 final of the Champions' League, beating Real Madrid 3-0 in their opening match. The German side set out their stall early when Berbatov hit the post in the fifth minute. Ronaldo crashed a shot against the bar on the half hour mark, but before the break Bayer were in front when Krzynowek's long shot came off the post and bounced in off the back of Casillas. And within ten minutes of the restart Augenthaler's side had wrapped things up, França bending a shot past Casillas for the second goal and setting up the third himself, Samuel trying to cut out his cross but only succeeding in lifting it over the keeper to Berbatov, who had the easiest of tasks to turn it in to the empty net. (15.09.04)

Deportivo La Coruña 0 - Olympiakos 0

A disappointing start for Deportivo, who were held to a scoreless draw at the Riazor stadium by Olympiakos. With several key players out injured, Irureta put out a makeshift side, but even so they should have done better against what is on paper the weakest team in their group. Ex Depor and Barcelona forward Rivaldo came closest to scoring with a spectacular overhead kick in the first half, and although Cesar headed just wide at the other end soon afterwards, Molina had to react quickly to block an effort from Schürrer near the interval. There was even less action after the restart, the only attempts at goal a dangerous run down the right wing by Rivaldo and a speculative shot by Munitis straight at the keeper late on. (15.09.04)

Celtic 1 - Barcelona 3

Barcelona opened the new campaign against Celtic, who had not lost at home in Europe in almost three years, and who had knocked them out of the UEFA cup last season. But Frank Rijkaard's new look side went ahead midway through the first half when Ronaldinho set up Deco, and should have extended the lead when Giuly was stopped at the last minute by Balde on the stroke of half time, and Ronaldinho had a second half penalty saved by Marshall. Let off the hook, the Scots equalised through half time substitute Sutton. But Larsson came on to sink his old side, combining with Belletti to set up Giuly to restore the lead, and scoring the third himself after a mistake by Thompson. (14.09.04)

Valencia 2 - Anderlecht 0

Valencia celebrated their return to the Champions' League with a comfortable win against Anderlecht in the Mestalla stadium. Claudio Ranieri decided to leave out all his new signings and begin the match with a side similar to the one which won the league and the UEFA cup last spring, giving Aimar his first start of the new season and playing Angulo up front. The decision paid off when Vicente drilled home the opening goal after Zitka had failed to hold on to Rufete's cross with only a quarter of an hour gone, and Baraja made it two just before the break after collecting a pass in from Vicente. Angulo had a goal disallowed after the restart, but they had already done enough to wrap up the three points. (14.09.04)