Wenger - We must concentrate against Twente
Arsenal v Juventus
Emirates Cup
Emirates Stadium
Sat, Aug 2, 2008, 4.15pm
By Chris Harris
Arsène Wenger will demand total concentration
from his team when they take on FC Twente in the Third Qualifying Round
of the Champions League.
Arsenal were paired with the Dutch club at Friday's draw in Nyon
and, although Wenger's side avoided tougher-looking trips to Atletico
Madrid and Galatasaray, the Frenchman still expects a tough assignment.
Ranieri Confident After Kind Champions League Draw
Juventus
coach, Claudio Ranieri, admits that the Champions League draw was kind
to his side as the Bianconeri were paired with either Tampere or
Artmedia.
The Old Lady seem to have an easy
task as they attempt to stroll to the Champions League group stage.
The Tinkerman is satisfied with
the draw and rather relieved his side were not drawn against some of the tougher
opposition, such as
Spanish giants Atletico Madrid or Turkish side Galatasaray.
Steve McClaren says 'fate' matched Arsenal and FC Twente in Champions League
FC Twente manager Steve McClaren says he expected to meet an English side in
the third qualifying round of the Champions League after the draw pitched
his new club against Premier League Arsenal.
By Steve Wilson and agencies
Last Updated: 2:35PM BST 01 Aug 2008
McClaren took charge of the Dutch side earlier this summer and began
preparations for the club's Champions League debut, achieved after beating
Ajax in a play-off last season.
"It was strange, because as soon as I joined I knew we had the draw coming
up," said McClaren, who was sacked as England coach last season after
failing to qualify for the European Championships.
"I expected one of the English teams. I think fate deals you certain cards and
it has dealt us this draw. On one hand it's very, very tough for us but on
the other it is very exciting.
"I think of all the teams we could have had, that is the toughest - or one of
the toughest. Obviously we looked at Arsenal, Liverpool, Juventus, Schalke
and we got one of the most difficult.
"In one respect it's a tough draw for us; on the other it's now an opponent we
know very well, not just myself, everyone in Holland knows the Premier
League well so Arsenal will be no strangers to us.
"This is a reward for a great achievement last season in reaching this stage,
to get one of the big teams.
"It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that doesn't come along that
often. I'm sure the fans will be delighted.
Liverpool were paired with the once great Belgian side Standard Liege and
Rangers or FBK Kaunas will play either Danish club Aalborg or Bosnians
Modrica.
Irish champions Drogheda will take on Spartak Moscow if they reverse a 2-1
first-leg deficit against Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev.
The British clubs managed to avoid Spain's Atletico Madrid, the strongest of
the unseeded teams, as they were paired with German outfit Schalke.
Pese a la larga peregrinación por el desierto, la historia del Atlético de Madrid pesa en Europa y siguen reconociendo al Atlético como lo que es un grande por títulos y afición. Esperemos que este sea nuestro año y dejemos atras años (decadas) de sinsabores.