61.   Defending league champion AC Milan had a chance to reach that group by defeating Sampdoria of Genoa in the night match.

62.   Defending league champion AC Milan, which is going through a serious crisis in this season, contributed defenders Alessandro Costacurta and Paolo Maldini and midfielder Demetrio Albertini.

63.   Defending league champion AS Roma and other powerhouses such as AC Milan, Inter, Juventus and Lazio begin action in the second round in November.

64.   Defending league champions Blackburn continued to struggle in a scoreless draw with Leeds.

65.   Defending league champion AS Roma played host to Brescia in a late match Wednesday.

66.   Defending league champion Juventus of Turin signed Argentine-born striker Juan Eduardo Esnaider from Espaynol to improve its offense and its chances to retain the title.

67.   Defending league champion Juventus of Turin, powered by newly-acquired striker Filippo Inzaghi, hosts another Serie A newcomer, Lecce.

68.   Defending Spanish league champion Real Madrid cannot afford to lay back on its laurels anymore.

69.   Del Piero, the star-forward of league champion Juventus, was heard by prosecutor Raffaele Guariniello in Turin.

70.   Defending league champion Juventus of Turin takes on third-division Brescello Thursday night.