Real Madrid's hopes of extending their record number of European Cup wins to eight will receive the sternest possible test right at the start of the campaign as the title-holders take on the formidable might of Inter Milan tonight. The side which beat Juventus comfortably last season is now under the stewardship of former Dutch coach Guus Hiddink and will be relying on all his tactical nous against the star-studded Serie A side which features Ronaldo, Roberto Baggio, Chilean Ivan Zamarano and World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff.

In addition, Real have to play the match in Seville after being hit with UEFA sanctions because of the delay at last season's semi-final against Dortmund, when one of the goal-frames collapsed.

Real Madrid won their first away match in 10 months at the weekend when they beat Valladolid 1-0 in the Spanish League and the result of tomorrow's opener will go a long way to deciding who wins Group C.

Ronaldo praised his Inter teammates for Sunday's fight-back, when they came back from 2-0 down to claim a 2-2 draw at Cagliari.

"This is the fighting spirit we will be taking around Europe with us - starting in Seville with Real Madrid," said the Brazilian.

Last year's beaten finalists Juventus also have a tough tie away to Turkey's Galatasaray. Juve also have fitness doubts over World Cup star Zinedine Zidane, who picked up a knee injury in Sunday's 4-3 victory over Perugia. Juventus' Group B rivals Athletic Bilbao are at home to Rosenborg.

Other ties see four-time winners Ajax travel to Croatia Zagreb, who beat Celtic in the preliminary phase to take their place in Group A, while FC Porto, European champions in 1987, host Olympiakos.

The least spectacular section appears to be Group F, where Kaiserslautern take on Benfica and PSV Eindhoven host Finnish surprise package HJK Helsinki.