PSG’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores a penalty during the Ligue 1 match against Lyon in Paris on December 13, 2015. PHOTO/AFP
PARIS, December 15- Who’s saying what about the Champions League last 16 draw, which was made at UEFA headquarters in Nyon.
“Juventus were finalists last year and one of the best teams in Europe. They have dominated in Italy for the last four or five years. We have a lot of respect and it will be two crazy games.” — Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola on facing last year’s runners-up Juventus.
“Juventus have a very clever team and in Mario Mandzukic, they have a top goal-scorer, who we know all about.” — Bayern striker Thomas Mueller on dealing with former team-mate Mario Mandzukic, who won the 2013 Champions League with the German giants.
“Juve are one of the best sides in Europe. It is a mouthwatering tie. Surely it is an advantage for Bayern to play the first leg away, to get to know Juve first.” — Germany and Bayern legend Franz Beckenbauer on taking on Juventus.
“We hoped for better luck in today’s draw, but we’re confident we can put in two good performances.” — Juve vice-president Pavel Nedved on being drawn alongside Bayern.
“It’s the third time we’re going to face them. The advantage is we know them well, but they know us too.It will be a great two-legged tie between two good teams. We can’t wait for it.” — PSG coach Laurent Blanc on the prospect of playing Chelsea once again.
“I was so happy this morning knowing that we wouldn’t have Barcelona again!” — Manchester city director of football Txiki Begiristain, speaking to Eurosport, after discovering the Premier League side had avoided his former club.
“City are a solid, well-balanced team, but we have already played against them and had success. Everyone has weak points. Our job is to find them.” — Dynamo Kiev coach Sergei Rebrov on locking horns with Manchester City.
“We all watched the draw together. For me it’s a great to be able to test ourselves against a team like Real Madrid, who are among the favourites to win the competition. We’ll need an exploit if we are to make it into the quarter-finals.” — Roma coach Rudi Garca, via Roma Radio, on drawing record 10-time winners Real Madrid.
“We will play against a very experienced team that have got to two UEFA Europa League finals and two semi-finals in the last five years. These games will also be tough because of the long winter break in the Russian championship.” — Zenit coach Andre Villas-Boas on meeting Benfica.
“The draw could have been worse, so we have to look on the bright side. It might be an advantage if they see us as underdogs, but I doubt that with such a clever coach (Diego Simeone).” — PSV defender Jeffrey Druma on the likelihood of catching out 2014 finalists Atletico Madrid.
“We are very happy and we think it’s two teams who everyone wanted to play against. But we can guarantee that we will not make the mistake of taking Gent easy, it won’t be a foregone conclusion.” — Wolfsburg director of sport Klaus Allofs on drawing competition debutants Gent.
