Group A

English champions Arsenal were in impressive form as they beat their German counterparts Borussia Dortmund at Highbury. Dennis Bergkamp and Freddie Ljungberg, playing his first game of the season, scored the goals that gave the Gunners victory.

Auxerre and PSV Eindhoven drew 0-0 in the other game in the group.

Group B

Swiss side Basel marked their Champions League debut with a 2-0 win over Spartak Moscow. Both goals came in a five-minute spell at the start of the second-half, with Hakan Yakin and Julio Rossi getting the goals.

Spanish champions Valencia outclassed Liverpool, running out 2-0 winners courtesy of strikes from Pablo Aimar and Ruben Baraja.

Group C

Real Madrid, who are bidding for an unprecedented 10th European Cup, beat Roma 3-0.

Guti scored twice and Raul once, taking his record goals tally in the competition to 35.

Real, who also beat Roma in their opening game of the Champions League last season, played without their new signing Ronaldo, who is not fully fit.

Yet they were almost dismissive of one of the strongest sides in Serie A.

Guti scored the opener after 41 minutes, Raul doubled the lead early in the second half and Guti wrapped up victory with his second and Real's third soon after.

Genk and AEK Athens played out a goalless draw in the other game in Group C.

Group D

Dutch champions Ajax marked their return to the Champions League with a 2-1 home win over Lyon.

The Amsterdam side, who have not played in the competition for the last three seasons, won courtesy of two strikes from Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Sonny Anderson grabbed the consolation for the French team.

Inter Milan's campaign got off to a stuttering start with a 2-2 draw at Rosenborg Trondheim in Norway.

Inter's new striker, Hernan Crespo, made his mark as Ronaldo's replacement by scoring both his side's goals. Azar Karadas matched the feat for Rosenborg.

Inter were ultimately pleased to take a point as they scored their second goal after defender Fabio Cannavaro had been dismissed for a second bookable offence.