Reina ready for another run
Friday, August 27, 2004
Article summary
Villarreal CF goalkeeper José Reina is content as uefa.com looks at more reaction to Friday's draw.
Article body
'Best in the world'
Speaking to uefa.com, he said: "It may appear that we have been pitted against an easy opponent but, whoever your opponents are, you have to give them respect. That was certainly the key for us in last season's competition - we went into each game believing we had to beat the best team in the world." Meanwhile, Hammarby coach Anders Linderoth said: "They are a very good side. We have to play to our strengths and be at the top of our game to have a chance."
uefa.com assess more of the draw reaction:
Heart of Midlothian FC v SC Braga
We are pleased with the draw. Portuguese football is on a high at the moment so it will be tough. We'll be playing in Europe at Murrayfield for the first time, ironically the home of Scottish rugby. We will be asking Braga if we can play with a different shaped ball! Hearts chief executive Chris Robinson
Maccabi Haifa FC v FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk
Of all the possible options this is the best for us. Israeli football is not yet at the level of German or Dutch football. They of course have made enormous progress. We play away in the first leg which is also a positive thing for us. Dnipro coach Eugen Kucherevskiy
R. Standard de Liège v VfL Bochum 1848
Standard are the most difficult opponent we could have got. But we are fifth in the Bundesliga and we have to keep up our good form. Logistically it is the best thing that could have happened to us, because we won't have to travel too far. Bochum coach Peter Neururer
Shelbourne FC v Lille OSC
It's a good draw for us, the main thing is that we're at home in the first leg. We don't know too much about Lille or their players, apart from Milenko Acimovic who we saw in the Premiership with Tottenham, but we'll do our homework and will be well prepared. Shelbourne defender Jamie Harris
PFC Levski Sofia v KSK Beveren
Belgium is a great football country. We do not know too much about Beveren, but I am sure they will be very tough. It is good for us that the first leg will be in Sofia and we will be going for the win in order to have a chance for the return leg. Levski coach Stanimir Stoilov
Parma FC v NK Maribor
We're satisfied because we avoided the most dangerous sides - the likes of [SK] Sigma Olomouc, [FK] Austria Wien and [FC] Dinamo Bucuresti. However, we can't afford to think that we have already qualified - we have to win on the field first. As we've got a Slovenian in our squad, Zlatko Dedic, we'll ask him for information about Maribor. Parma technical director Lorenzo Minotti
FK Partizan v FC Dinamo Bucuresti
For us, this draw is an advantage because Partizan just played against a Romanian team [FC Otelul Galati in the qualifying round]. I saw both matches and would say our chances are 50-50. They are an experienced team, who played in the UEFA Champions League group stage last year. Dinamo coach Ioan Andone
Grazer AK v PFC Litex Lovech
There are no easy opponents now and we must accept the draw. We have enough time to see GAK in action and prepare ourselves in best possible way. It is all about chance and team form. Litex coach Stoicho Mladenov
FK Ventspils v KS Amica Wronki
I don't know much about our opponents. People who know Polish football think that Ventspils can match them. I am not too disappointed about not playing Rangers [FC]. But I am sure there are no weak teams in this round. Ventspils coach Saulius Sirmelis
FC Terek Grozny v FC Basel 1893
Basel are a good strong side, and I would not agree if someone said it was a good draw. Switzerland is not a top football country, but I remember how Basel beat FC Spartak Moskva in the Champions League two years ago, although it was a different Spartak then. Now we will face a different Basel. I am sure we can take on the Swiss and progress. Terek Grozny midfielder Denis Kluev
NK Dinamo Zagreb v IF Elfsborg
We have a good chance of success and can reach the next round. We have to be fit for these matches, because Swedish teams always have very good fitness. We have enough time to get ready for Elfsborg. Dinamo Zagreb coach Djuro Bago
Aalborg BK v AJ Auxerre
I expect two attractive matches and quite a crowd for our home game - partly because of what French football represents in the public opinion, and partly because we are the only team left to defend the honour of Danish football in Europe. AaB sport director Lynge Jacobsen
Middlesbrough FC v FC Baník Ostrava
We are pleased with the draw. Baník are a long-established name in European football, while for Boro, it is our first time in any UEFA competition. But while Middlesbrough may be a new name, we have a lot of players with a lot of European experience. Players like Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Mark Viduka, Boudewijn Zenden, Gaizka Mendieta and Ray Parlour have no shortage of European experience. Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb
Egaleo FC v Gençlerbirligi SK
It is great for Egaleo to take part for the first time in the UEFA Cup. We did not draw Rangers or Villarreal, so this is a good draw for us. Egaleo press officer Theodoros Papadopoulos