Former European champions AC Milan, Liverpool and Ajax Amsterdam kicked-off their continental campaign with wins in Wednesday's third qualifying round action. Filippo Inzaghi celebrated his birthday in-style, as he netted Milan's only goal against Red Star Belgrade in the 22nd minute at the San Siro Stadium. Liverpool came from behind to beat Maccabi Haifa 2-1 at Anfield. Summer signing Craig Bellamy canceled out Gustavo's 29th minute strike for Maccabi before Mark Gonzalez fired home Liverpool's winner in the 88th minute.
New-signing Bellamy was the hero for Liverpool While Milan and Liverpool struggled to grab victory at home Ajax produced a precious 2-1 win at FC Copenhagen, with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scoring the Dutch team's double. Elsewhere, Valencia suffered a surprise 1-0 loss in Salzburg while Hamburg SV drew 0-0 at home to Spain's Osasuna and Chievo Verona lost 2-0 at Levski Sofia. Russian sides also produced good results as CSKA Moscow crushed Ruzomberok 3-0 at home and Spartak grabbed a goalless away draw at Liberec. In other matches, Dynamo Kiev beat Fenerbahce 3-1, Lille thrashed Rabotnicki 3-0, Shakhtar edged past Legia with a 1-0 win, Standard Liege held Steaua Bucharest to a 2-2 draw, AEK Athens beat Hearts 2-1 and Galatasaray produced a 5-2 drubbing of Mlada Boleslav.