'Reaching Moscow is a dream'

With the draw for the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League coming ever closer, uefa.com hears from leading figures at some of the 16 clubs involved.

Carlo Ancelotti, AC Milan coach
It would be good to avoid teams like Liverpool, Arsenal and Lyon. Let's wait and see. Fortunately we have the advantage of playing the return leg at home and we have a terrific record in such situations. Reaching Moscow is a dream and we have all the potential to make it happen.

Gordon Strachan, Celtic FC manager
I have no preference which country our opponents come from. We've shown we can beat sides from anywhere, but a fresh challenge would be nice. I do have a preferred option but I don't want to say who. I may have said last year that I wanted Real Madrid but I'm allowed to change my mind.

Jiří Jarošík, Celtic's former Chelsea FC midfielder
I'd love to go back to Stamford Bridge as I still speak to Petr [Čech] and it would be a great match with Chelsea. I think every team left in the competition will have seen our results and they will know it's not easy to come to Glasgow. Reaching the last 16 last season was a good experience for everyone at this club and we will try and fight to do better this time.

Karim Benzema, Olympique Lyonnais striker
Never mind our opponents in the round of 16, we're a great team – Europe fears us again. We have a squad equipped to go far in this Champions League.

Jean-Michel Aulas, Lyon president
I'm happy because Lyon are the only European team to have reached the knockout rounds in both the men's and the women's tournaments. From the next round our team will be even better because injured players will be back. We have a strong team who can win at any stadium in Europe.

Darko Kovacević, Olympiacos CFP forward
At this point in the competition I don't have any particular preference for an opponent. Speaking objectively, however, I believe that if we are drawn against a team such as Porto or Sevilla then we have higher hopes of reaching the quarter-finals. What I know for sure is that over two games the chances of beating your opponent increase and it will not be easy for any team to come up against us in Athens with our fans behind us.

Kolo Touré, Arsenal FC defender
We are prepared for any team that we come up against. We have done so well since the start of the season. There is no team that will think they can beat us.

Jesualdo Ferreira, FC Porto coach
All we wanted was to end the group stage in first position. We never think of the worst scenarios. I am not worried about the possible opposition. Let's wait for the draw and then we will think about it.

Bruno Alves, Porto defender
We have been putting in steady performances in the UEFA Champions League and we have a strong tradition in this competition. Of course there are some opponents stronger than others but we have been very strong and that's all that matters to us.

José María Del Nido, Sevilla FC president
We dreamed of qualifying first in the group. The team have had an impressive run and we're now an opponent to be feared. I wouldn't want Lyon or Liverpool in the draw because I think we should face these teams at a later stage in the competition, despite the fact I think Sevilla can stand up to anyone.

Arouna Koné, Sevilla forward
Sevilla have to be considered among the favourites for this competition because there aren't many teams who qualified with five victories. I'm sure our good run in Europe will help us get back on track in the league.

Johan Neeskens, FC Barcelona assistant coach
We can be drawn against good teams but I don't have any preferences so we will see what happens at the draw.

Eidur Gudjohnsen, Barcelona forward
I want to be drawn against Liverpool because I want to avenge last year when they knocked us out. It would be a good chance for us to prove we're a much better team than they are.

Avram Grant, Chelsea manager
We want to make the final this year and I think we can do it, but of course the other clubs in the competition also think they can do it. In the last 16 there are no easy games.

Roberto Mancini, FC Internazionale Milano coach
At this stage there are only strong sides left. Obviously Arsenal, Liverpool and Lyon could easily have been among the group winners so they are the teams to avoid. However, all eight sides are strong and you cannot say which of them will be in the best form come February.

Luciano Spalletti, AS Roma coach
Chelsea are the most dangerous side because they have a thousand different options in the way they play. I think they have improved under their new coach. I talked with the players and the best destination for us would be Spain.

Matteo Ferrari, Roma defender
I would like to face Barcelona or Real Madrid because they would be fascinating matches.