Champions League round-up: A late William Gallas equaliser to earn Arsenal a point at Dynamo Kiev proved the high point on a disappointing night for the three British clubs in action as both Manchester United and Celtic were held to scoreless draws at home.
United could not break down Spain's Villarreal while Celtic were unable to overcome unheralded Danish outfit AaB Aalborg.
At Old Trafford, not even the return of Cristiano Ronaldo could prevent Manchester United fluffing their lines as the champions began the defence of their crown with a disappointing draw.
Ronaldo's second-half introduction certainly sent a surge through United — and dispelled any doubts the summer transfer saga with Real Madrid would affect his popularity.
But United could come no closer than a late Jonny Evans diving header that bounced back off a post as their 12-game winning streak on home soil in the competition was brought to an end, the Yellow Submarines almost sinking Alex Ferguson's men altogether when Guille Franco hit the woodwork as well.
Barry Robson missed a first-half penalty as Celtic drew a blank in the other Group E match.
The home side huffed and puffed against the unfancied Danish club and were awarded a spot-kick in the 29th minute when midfielder Shaun Maloney was tripped by Steve Olfers inside the box.
But Robson stepped up to blast his shot at the legs of Karim Zaza and although Aalborg defender Michael Beauchamp was sent off with 10 minutes to go in an apparent case of mistaken identity, the Scottish champions could not find a way past a determined visiting defence.
Gallas, meanwhile, bundled in a late equaliser to rescue a point from the Gunners' opening Group G 1-1 draw in the Ukraine.
Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie, twice, and Cesc Fabregas all had good first-half chances for Arsenal, who have still yet to win a European tie in the former Soviet Union.
Kiev looked to have made them pay a heavy price when, on 64 minutes, Bacary Sagna was adjudged to have pushed over Ognjen Vukojevic and Ismael Bangoura scored from the penalty spot.
Then, just as time looked to be running out, Gallas — who had made a mistake in the build-up to the goal — netted at close range following a low cross by Theo Walcott.
In the group's other game, two goals in two minutes from Argentines Lisandro Lopez and Lucho Gonzalez helped Porto to a 3-1 win over Fenerbahce.
Lisandro Lopez put Porto in front with an unstoppable 11th minute shot inside the area after a cross from the left by midfielder Raul Meirles.
Two minutes later Lucho Gonzalez was set up by Uruguyan winger Cristian Rodriguez and doubled the lead.
Spanish striker Daniel Guiza reduced the deficit for Fenerbahce when he tapped in a rebound after Porto's Helton failed to clear a header by Brazilian Alex after 29 minutes.
Substitute Lino made the three points safe for Porto with the third goal in the stoppage time.
A goal from Karim Benzema four minutes from time enabled Lyon to salvage a 2-2 draw with Fiorentina in Group F.
Alberto Gilardino put the visitors in front against the run of play on 12 minutes, heading home a Luciano Zauri cross, and doubled their advantage shortly before the break with another header, this time from a cross by Felipe Melo.
Seven-times French champions Lyon, who have never advanced past the quarter-finals of European club soccer's premier event, scored on 73 minutes when substitute striker Frederic Piquionne tapped in from a Benzema pass.
France striker Benzema then saved Lyon from defeat with an angled effort from inside the box after a Juninho free kick.
Elsewhere in Group F, an early goal from Daniel Van Buyten helped Bayern Munich to a 1-0.
Van Buyten headed home the winner in the 15th minute following a free-kick from Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Steaua's Colombian playmaker Dayro Moreno angled in a powerful 30-metre shot during the first half but visiting keeper Michael Rensing deflected the ball with his right-foot.
Alessandro Del Piero scored with a longe-range swerving free kick to give Juventus a 1-0 home win over Zenit St Petersburg on their return to the group stages.
The 33-year-old, who played in the final when the Turin club won the second of their two European Cups in 1996, netted on 76 minutes in their Group H opener with Zenit goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeyev looking at fault.
Also in Group H, newcomers BATE Borisov got away lightly with a 2-0 defeat against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
Sergio Ramos gave the nine-times European champions an early lead and they threatened an avalanche of goals but BATE held firm until early in the second half.
Ruud van Nistelrooy doubled the advantage with his 54th goal in the competition and any thoughts of a fightback by the team from Belarus effectively disappeared when defender Anri Khagush was sent off soon after.
