UEFA Champions league Draw: Group G – Reactions
Group G in the UEFA Champions league has been labeled as the “Group of Death”. Real Madrid meet AC Milan, Ajax and Auxerre in the group, in what is to be the toughest group of the Champions league.
It’s Déjà vu for Real Madrid and AC Milan, having met each other in last year’s Champion’s league. Both these heavy weights therefore know each other fairly well, creating problems for the other two, AFC Ajax and AJ Auxerre. Last year, AC Milan pulled a major upset when they defeated Madrid 3-2 at Santiago Bernabeu. Milan kept their ground when Real Madrid visited San Siro, managing a respectable 1-1 draw in Italy.
However, the clubs would not be living in the past as both sides go into the 10/11 Champions league with new managers. With these two well aware of each other’s potential, the other two teams would also pose a major threat to their ambitions. In their previous five matches, Ajax have defeated Madrid four time while losing one. French side Auxerre can also not be counted out as they have eliminated Ajax twice from this competition, more recently in the 04/05 UEFA Cup round of 32.
There is a lot of heritage on the line here as 19 Champions league titles are shared amongst these four sides. Real Madrid have won the competition for a record nine times, closely followed by AC Milan with 7 wins. Ajax have also had their years, winning the coveted title for a respectable 3 times. So these teams are well aware of the task at hand and any slips or mistakes would cost them dearly.
AC Milan coach, Massimiliano Allegri claimed that their group was the toughest one, along with arch-rivals Inter’s. The manager stated that both of these sides are up against some of the strongest teams in Europe. Allgeri continued claiming that playing Real Madrid would be difficult as well as inspiring for the club. Both the stadia of these teams, namely San Siro and Santiago Bernabeu, would provide fantastic environment for the teams and nothing less than an extraordinary spectacle can be expected.
The manager stated that the other two teams, namely Ajax and Auxerre have qualified for the tournament in style and would therefore be very tough opponents. The manager ended the statement claiming that Milan would have to be ready, be in the right shape and would have to approach these games positively in order to progress.
Real Madrid Sporting director, Emilio Butragueno, claimed that he was expecting to get a difficult team, but was concerned with the teams he got from the third and fourth spot. The director added that the only team which is tricky one is Auxerre as anything can be expected from the French runner ups.
Ajax coach, Martin Jol labeled Real Madrid and Milan to be the toughest opponents, but claimed that both were big names. Jol however claimed that winning in football is difficult while your playing against such sides. The manager claimed that it’s a pity to have Auxerre as the fourth team and he would’ve wished that a side like MSK Zilina would’ve been a draw. Jol stated that he knows he may well be playing for the third spot and that too would be difficult as Auxerre is as good as them. Jol concluded the statement claiming that it was a pity to see Dutch star Wesley Sneijder drawing Ajax against these teams but was happy for him to win the midfielder of the year award.
Ireneusz Jeleń, Auxerre forward, claimed that following the draw, he received hundreds of sms’s regarding tickets for home games against Milan and Madrid. The player knew his side was the underdogs in the group but claimed that he always dreamt about playing against Real, AC and Ajax. The forward stated that for him, getting into the group stages of the UEFA Champions league was his biggest football ambition and this is football in which anything can happen.
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