UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Cocu looks forward to measuring up to Milan

UEFA.com rounds up the reaction to the draw, hearing from the likes of Benedikt Höwedes, Emre Belözoğlu, Phillip Cocu and Viktor Fayzulin on the ties facing their sides.

Gennaro Gattuso (left) and PSV's Park Ji-Sung compete in the 2005 semi-finals
Gennaro Gattuso (left) and PSV's Park Ji-Sung compete in the 2005 semi-finals ©Getty Images

Champions route
GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) v FK Austria Wien (AUT)
"We have to respect Austria Wien because they have won over 50 domestic trophies. I don't want to make them angry, but I am sure the outcome of this tie depends only on us, on our form and performance. It's not the most comfortable thing when our opponents' coach is Croatian, that means he knows Dinamo Zagreb very well, but it won't be crucial for the result. I played against Nenad Bjelica. He was an excellent player and I am glad we will meet again."
Krunoslav Jurčić, Dinamo coach

"Dinamo are not the same kind of opponents as FH Hafnarfjördur; they won't sit back and defend. They are an attacking side. Dinamo Zagreb are unrivalled in their league. They are a well-organised club and have without doubt the best squad in the former Yugoslavia. They get young players relatively cheaply and sell them for millions later on."
Nenad Bjelica, Austria Wien coach

PFC Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL) v FC Basel 1893 (SUI)
"Basel are a very strong team, but we have a chance. Games such as these help the experience and development of our team. I hope we will do well. We will do what we are capable of."
Stoicho Stoev, Ludogorets coach

"I'll have to take a look at what they can do. We'll do the best we can in the tie and we can be happy that the first leg is at home. Our new signing Ivan Ivanov will surely be able to tell me something about one or two of their players."
Murat Yakin, Basel coach

FC Viktoria Plzeň (CZE) v NK Maribor (SVN)
"We wanted to be drawn against Austira [Wien] or Maribor so our fans could travel to support us in the away game – this wish was granted. We know Maribor eliminated a strong team in APOEL and we will start gathering information. We start at home but this will not be the decisive factor. That will be our form and our performances in both matches."
Pavel Vrba, Plzeň coach

"Plzeň will be favourites, but we are not without our own chances of progress. It is good that the first leg is away. If we can get a good result before the return match in our stadium we will be close to our dream of qualifying for the Champions League group stage."
Ante Čačić, Maribor coach

FC Shakhter Karagandy (KAZ) v Celtic FC (SCO)
"Of all the clubs we could have drawn at this stage, Celtic are the most dangerous. They defeated Barcelona recently, while we have already achieved our initial goal by getting to this stage. It will be easier for us psychologically, we will be more relaxed, because their fans will not forgive [them] if Celtic fail to get past Shakhter. We will do our best to make it happen."
Viktor Kumykov, Shakhter coach

"The draw is a bit of an unknown for us. It could have been kinder, but it could have been tougher as well. It will be impossible for me to go and watch them, but hopefully we will have some representation over there. We are burnt in terms of numbers [with Kelvin Wilson rejoining Nottingham Forest FC] and hope to add to the squad over the next couple of days. I am not envisaging anyone else leaving. It's about strengthening the squad now. We are working very hard and it's ongoing."
Neil Lennon, Celtic manager

FC Steaua Bucureşti (ROU) v Legia Warszawa (POL)
"Legia are a very strong team and play in a good league. I'm sure we will have two very difficult matches, but we will be focused. We have to impose our game and achieve the only target which is in our minds: playing in the UEFA Champions League group stage."
Laurenţiu Reghecampf, Steaua coach

"There are no weak teams at this level and I must admit I wanted to avoid Steaua. They played really well against Chelsea in the Europa League last season and they have huge potential – most of their players are around 22 or 23, are young, ambitious and hungry for success. But it is good for us that we play in Bucharest first. Then we will have the advantage of our amazing fans. I can already imagine that if we got to the group stage, playing at our stadium, the atmosphere would be magic."
Jan Urban, Legia coach

League route
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) v Real Sociedad de Fútbol (ESP)
"It's a tough draw because we will face the team that finished fourth in the Liga and the second leg is away. You should not expect an easy draw considering the quality of the opposition, but it's possible for us to advance. I feared we would draw Fenerbahce or PSV. It will be a balanced tie, 50-50. We have good memories of Real Sociedad from 2003/04."
Jean-Michel Aulas, Lyon president

"This will be an attractive and even tie and one that will be decided by the smallest of details. We are happy with the draw, even though we know it will not be easy. Lyon are a well-rounded side. Perhaps they don't have the quality of some of the other teams, but they are compact and well-armed."
Jagoba Arrasate, Real Sociedad coach

FC Schalke 04 (GER) v FC Metalist Kharkiv (UKR)
"All the teams in the draw were big names, so we knew from the start we'd be up against a strong opponent. I am not an expert on football in Ukraine, but Shakhtar Donetsk have proved that clubs from this league are capable of great performances."
Benedikt Höwedes, Schalke defender

"FC Schalke 04 are one of the strongest clubs in Germany who compete on the European stage on a regular basis. It will be very interesting to play them. They have made a lot of changes to their team, so we will need to learn more about them."
Myron Markevich, Metalist coach

FC Paços de Ferreira (POR) v FC Zenit St Petersburg (RUS)
"In terms of logistics and travel this is the worst draw we could have got. Zenit are the team I did not want, but that's life. We are going to face a great team with a huge budget. Now we will try our best and not feel defeated beforehand. We will try to do our best for the club and for Portugal."
Carlos Barbosa, Paços de Ferreira president

"We got one of the weakest teams. It is a lucky draw for Zenit, but I do not want to make any promises about making it to the UEFA Champions League group stage."
Viktor Fayzulin, Zenit midfielder

PSV Eindhoven (NED) v AC Milan (ITA)
"It will be a difficult task for sure, but also a nice challenge which will allow us to see how we measure up to them. They have a lot of qualities. It is guaranteed that Milan always have top-level players. They might be busy reducing the age of their squad, but it is still of a high level."
Phillip Cocu, PSV coach

"We have great respect for PSV, but other teams should be worried when they are drawn against Milan and not vice versa. We are fully motivated and are eager to win this tie."
Marco Amelia, Milan goalkeeper

Fenerbahçe SK (TUR) v Arsenal FC (ENG)
"Arsenal are one of the exponents of total football. We want to play in the Champions League. It's not an easy draw. They are one of the most famous teams in the world. Furthermore, they are a young team. If we can compete well, I believe we have a chance against them. We want to gain an advantage by getting a good result in the first match with the support of our fans."
Emre Belözoğlu, Fenerbahçe captain

"We're pleased. We played in Istanbul in season 2008/09 and we scored five goals and triumphed in the tie overall. There's a large Turkish support in London and we know we're going to sell out the [home] game and we know it will be a sell-out in Istanbul. So we're pleased and looking forward to two good games."
David Miles, Arsenal club secretary

Selected for you