Group F: Maccabi have it all to do

Going all the way 
Haifa became the first Israeli club to reach the competition proper with a midweek victory over SK Sturm Graz in the third round of qualifiers. But now they will likely cede the limelight to two of the clubs touted to go far in this year's tournament - Manchester United and Leverkusen.

In dreamland 
While Olympiakos host the German side on 18 September, Haifa will kick off their campaign against United at Old Trafford, and their owner, Ya'acov Schahar, said: "Even though it is the toughest draw one can get, Old Trafford is the venue I wanted to take my players to. Facing the likes of Manchester United is the dream of every Israeli player. But we will have to wake up and start preparing in order to show that we can play as well".

Leverkusen incentive 
Leverkusen got the better of United last time round in a closely fought semi-final which was settled on away goals. Yet Klaus Toppmöller's men went on to lose to Real Madrid CF and know that they will have second billing behind the likes of United until they can rid themselves of their tag as a nearly team.

'A difficult draw' 
Leverkusen's German international midfield player, Bernd Schneider, said: "The draw is alright - behind Manchester United we are second favourites. Everything is possible, we just should not underestimate anyone." His captain, Carsten Ramelow, added: "It was obvious from the start that it would be a difficult draw for us, but apart from Manchester United the group is OK. We don't know much about Haifa and Oympiakos."

History lessons 
United's form against Olympiakos will be a worry to the Greek champions. The Premiership side won 2-0 in Piraeus, then 3-0 at Old Trafford at this stage in 2001/02. And the United chief executive, Peter Kenyon, said: "We have played Leverkusen and Olympiakos before so we know what we are up against. Overall we can be pleased with the group."