Serra Ferrer talks up AEK task
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Article summary
Lorenzo Serra Ferrer believes AEK Athens FC are in a group of "UEFA Champions League quality" after drawing the likes of Villarreal CF and ACF Fiorentina.
Article body
The AEK Athens FC coach Lorenzo Serra Ferrer believes the Greek challengers have found themselves in a section of "UEFA Champions League quality" after being drawn alongside top seeds Villarreal CF, ACF Fiorentina, FK Mladá Boleslav and Swedish title-holders IF Elfsborg.
'Great things'
Serra Ferrer, a former coach of FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompié, has been denied a return to his native Spain because second-seeded AEK will tackle their fellow Group C favourites in Athens. He said: "Fiorentina and Villarreal are traditional, experienced European sides who compete in very strong leagues. We're eager to show that we can do great things in this competition, but the first match at Elfsborg will be a tricky one because of their artificial turf."
Arruabarrena link
Argentinian international left-back Rodolfo Arruabarrena, a Villarreal player for seven years before signing a two-year contract at AEK in the summer, added: "It's a very tough group and everybody expects Villarreal and Fiorentina to finish top. However, theory has little to do with football. The team which plays best will progress and we'll approach our matches intending to win. I'm delighted to play against my former team, and believe it will be an entertaining encounter."
Russian investment
AEK's Super League rivals Panathinaikos FC will also face Spanish opposition in the form of Club Atlético de Madrid, in addition to tests against FC Lokomotiv Moskva, FC København and Aberdeen FC. Greens' striker Dimitrios Salpingidis said: "I think we can qualify along with Lokomotiv Moskva and Atlético. Russian sides have improved a lot in recent years and have invested a great deal of money. As for Atlético, it will be nice to meet Giourkas Seitaridis on the pitch."
EURO heroes
København defender Mikael Antonsson, like Seitaridis, is a former Panathinaikos player, while Larissa FC defender Nikolaos Dabizas will relish pitting his wits against fellow UEFA EURO 2004™ hero Angelos Charisteas when the Greek giant-killers come up against 1. FC Nürnberg in Group A.
