Unenviable tasks for big hitters

Celtic FC and RSC Anderlecht drew the short straws after being paired with Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais respectively as uefa.com gauges draw reaction from the Non-Champions Route sides.

Next draws
The winners of the five ties – played on 18/19 and 25/26 August – will earn a place in the UEFA Champions League group stage, with the losing sides gaining the consolation of a spot in the equivalent phase of the UEFA Europa League. The draw for the former will be held in Monaco on Thursday 27 August at 18.00CET, with the UEFA Europa League draw taking place the following day.

Olympique Lyonnais v RSC Anderlecht
Claude Puel, Lyon coach
I'd have preferred to be at home for the second leg. I know Anderlecht. I faced them with Lille in the Champions League group stage. They also knocked out Bordeaux in the UEFA Cup Round of 16 two seasons ago. They have skilful and athletic players, with several systems possible. They play in a compact stadium designed for football. We'll have to make the difference at home. Of course, Anderlecht are not Atlético or Fiorentina, but it's a tough task and we cannot be complacent.

Herman van Holsbeeck, Anderlecht general manager
A tough opponent; looking at Lyon's results in recent years they always reach the Champions League quarter or semi-finals. Belgian versus French teams always make interesting ties, but we have done well in the past, like against Bordeaux. Lyon have undergone some changes with their star player [Karim Benzema] leaving so maybe it is the right moment to play them, and therefore we have to believe in our chances. We have to give everything. We are 180 minutes from the group stage, so we have to restore our name in Europe by knocking out another big European name.

Celtic FC v Arsenal FC
Tony Mowbray, Celtic manager
It's exciting and we will go in believing that if we play well we can give them problems, so we look forward to the challenge. I've got great respect for Arsène Wenger, he's a fantastic coach. He's one of the best in the world and has broken the mould in terms of going out there and finding and developing players into top footballers. Arsenal will feel the atmosphere that can be created at Celtic Park and while their stars will have played in many stadiums around the world, I'm sure not many will have experienced an atmosphere like you get at Celtic Park on a European night.

FC Timişoara v VfB Stuttgart
Ioan Ovidiu Sabău, Timişoara coach
We are up against well-known opponents. Stuttgart's history is impressive given their record and the trophies they have won over the decades. They are very good opponents, but it is not impossible for them to be eliminated. It's down to us and the way we prepare for these matches. We have to be fully prepared physically and mentally. We have a chance, but we have to admit that we are dealing with a tough opponents, with top players like Aleksandr Hleb, Pavel Pogrebnyak, Cacau and Ciprian Marica.

Horst Heldt, Stuttgart sporting director
Until two weeks ago, Timişoara were a great unknown for everyone in the qualifiers. Since their success against Donetsk, however, it has become clear that they are serious opponents.

Markus Babbel, Stuttgart coach
We will definitely not underestimate Timişoara. A team that knocks out the UEFA Cup winners has to have a very good squad full of quality. Nevertheless, all that counts for us is reaching the group stage.

Ciprian Marica, Stuttgart forward
I'm delighted we're up against a club from my home country, but we are desperate to reach the group stage of the Champions League and that's why we have to win no matter what.

Sporting Clube de Portugal v ACF Fiorentina
Paulo Bento, Sporting coach
In theory we could have been facing an easier team. Fiorentina are a very strong team as they play in a extremely competitive league and they fought until the last matches last season in order to reach the Champions League. I foresee two very difficult games for us. We have our chances of going through but we all know we have to be very strong in order to beat a team built around a well-organised defence. I would say we have the same chance of qualifying for the group stage, however, along with Atlético de Madrid, they are the strongest opponents that we could have faced at this stage

Cesare Prandelli, Fiorentina coach
Sporting have good experience at this level. Last season they got through the group stage. They are very skilful and hard to beat because they are very good at keeping possession in midfield and are used to the pressure of playing at this level. We all know Arsenal were the team to avoid, but Sporting are also a great team. If we think we are the favourites, we will have the wrong approach. Playing in the group stage last season was a good experience for a young team like ours but we will have to be fully ready physically and mentally for this difficult tie if we want to progress.

Panathinaikos FC v Club Atlético de Madrid
Giorgios Karagounis, Panathinaikos captain
It was not the best possible draw for us, but we have the quality to advance. A lot will depend on the first leg in Athens. If we can exploit home advantage and not concede a goal, we can do it. Our chances are 50-50. If we play as we know we can we should qualify despite the strength of our opponents.

Abel Resino, Atlético coach
I never want to say that one team is easier to beat than another but Panathinaikos suit us well. We didn't want to face Arsenal or Lyon – it's obvious that those two are a cut above the rest – so in that sense the draw hasn't turned out too badly for us. It's not going to be a straightforward qualifier because Greek sides tend to play a very tight game at home. Having said that, my team must be prepared and we're going to give our all, which is what our club deserves.