Milan reach European milestone without banned Dida

LONDON, Oct 24 (Reuters) Holders AC Milan will play their 200th match in Europe's top club competition today without goalkeeper Dida.

The Brazilian had his two-match ban for feigning injury against Celtic reduced to one game by UEFA on Monday and misses Wednesday's Champions League Group D home match against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Milan beat the Ukrainian team 4-0 at the San Siro nearly three years ago and are looking for a victory that would end Shakhtar's excellent start to the campaign.

The visitors are top of the table after winning their first two matches without conceding a goal.

In the other game in the group Celtic return to Lisbon, where they won the 1967 European Cup, to face bottom team Benfica.

Liverpool are another club returning to a city with great memories. The Merseysiders play Group A rivals Besiktas in Istanbul, where they won the 2005 Champions League final against Milan on penalties.

The other Group A fixture features leaders Olympique Marseille, who have won their opening two matches, at home to second-placed Porto.

Chelsea aim to consolidate their lead in Group B when they host Schalke 04 while Rosenborg Trondheim face Valencia in the other match.

Real Madrid attempt to go clear on top of Group C as they entertain Olympiakos Piraeus while Werder Bremen search for their first win of the campaign against Lazio.

REUTERS YA RAI0847