Laird, bidding to make the European Ryder Cup team, moved into contention with an eight-under 64 in benign conditions.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Chelsea, the 2007 finalists and bidding for a first title under Carlo Ancelotti, are seeded in Group D where they meet two-time champions Porto, Atletico Madrid and Cypriots APOEL Nicosia.

CNN: Barcelona to face Inter in Champions League

Inking a productive veteran to a long-term contract that figures to take him past his prime is a risk many clubs have taken under pressure to win (though some showed signs of reining in the practice during the 2009 recession--the Yankees bidding adieu to 36-year-old Johnny Damon, for instance).

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