Chelsea set out final ambition

Chelsea FC will renew acquaintances with Valencia CF in UEFA Champions League Group B as the London club start their attempt to go one step further than last season when they bowed out at the semi-final stage to fellow English Premier League side Liverpool FC.

Happy memories
The teams met in the quarter-finals earlier this year when Michael Essien's last-gasp goal in the second leg in Spain took José Mourinho's side through after a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, thus becoming the first English side to triumph at Mestalla in UEFA club competition. Last season's group paired Chelsea with Spanish and German opposition and the pattern has been repeated with FC Shalke 04 also in the section, along with Norwegian champions Rosenborg BK of Norway.

Peter Kenyon, Chelsea chief executive
The big difference for us this year is we're seeded. We've been in two semi-finals in the last four years and got through the group stages every year. It's the elusive competition for us really but there's a determination and that is fuelled by a squad we believe we've strengthened. It's not frustrating at all [to have never reached the final] but there's a huge expectation within Chelsea to get to the next stage. We've had our share of semis, so obviously the next stage is to get to the final. This is clearly a big ambition for us and one we'd like to pull off.

Juan Soler, Valencia president
We are probably in the toughest group there is. The strength of the teams also makes it an attractive group so we will see great football and fans will enjoy the games. Our objective is to get through to the next phase and it'll be the chance to get our own back on Chelsea. Football always gives you opportunities. Last season we got our own back on [FC] Internazionale Milano and now we have the chance to do it against Chelsea.

Mirko Slomka, Schalke coach
This is a top-class group. Chelsea and Valencia are two teams who usually go places in the Champions League and are regular qualifiers. It is also nice that we get to see two German internationals, Michael Ballack and Timo Hildebrand, in those games. Rosenborg are an interesting club, but we have to collect more information about them now. To reach the knockout stage, we have to oust at least one of the two big teams in the group. This should be done with our strength at home, but we will surely have to collect points away from home as well.

Knut Tørum, Rosenborg coach
We are really looking forward to this now. We will have three very attractive home games, with three full houses at the Lerkendal Stadium. I promise the other teams that we will give them a run for their money - but I don't see us as favourites in this group!