CUP DRAW, FIXTURES, VENUES AND QUOTES

Last updated : 27 August 2005 By Ed

Fixtures:

Wed 14 September - Villarreal A
Tues 27 September - Benfica H
Tues 18 October - Lille H
Wed 2 November - Lille A
Tues 22 November - Villarreal H
Wed 7 December - Benfica A


Forlan returns to OT with golden hair and golden boot:

"It's a dream come true.

"I can't wait to show what I can do.

"To score at Old Trafford would be fantastic after everything that happened to me there. I was happy at United but eventually it became too frustrating that I wasn't playing.

"I have said that one day I would come back to England — and I always wanted it to be at Manchester United.

"For United to come to our ground, El Madrigal, will also be a fantastic experience for me.

"It is sensational and we are looking forward to it.

"I’ll never forget Sir Alex. His name is synonymous with Man United.

"Despite the fact it is such a huge club, it is also a family.

"I know a lot of people won’t believe me when I say this — but I really enjoyed being part of the United family."

Lille to play at the Stade de France:

'The venue for this season's final, the Stade de France, will get an early taste of UEFA Champions League football after LOSC Lille Métropole announced today that they will play their matches at the prestigious Paris venue.

Lille had to wait until today's draw in Monaco to see whether they would play their games at the Stade Félix-Bollaert home of RC Lens or the national stadium. Had they been drawn at home on Matchday 6 they would have had to take the former option as the Stade de France is unavailable on 6 December, only for an away assignment at Villarreal CF to allow them to choose their first-choice venue.

"We'll be playing in a prestigious arena," said Lille's capital-born striker Matt Moussilou. "I was keen on playing at Bollaert but in Paris I'll be able to catch up with family and friends." Team-mate Jean Makoun added: "I hope it will be a lucky ground for us." Lille also face Manchester United FC and SL Benfica in Group D.'

Ferdinand:

"Diego has done really well since he left us.

"He was very popular at United and everybody is really pleased things have worked out well for him.

"It’s not the easiest of draws but when you play at this level you don’t expect it to be.

"Benfica are a big name and, as for Lille, for them to have made it this far they have to be a force to be reckoned with."


Van der Sar:

"I am really looking forward to playing in the Champions League again.

"I haven't been involved for four seasons, so it will be a thrill to hear the music.

"But I don't think we should look too far ahead. We have one more game before the international break.

"Chelsea won again last night, so it is important for us to win at Newcastle to keep up with them."


Smith:

"The last 16 is not good enough for a club like this.

"We need to win it and we have a good enough squad to do it."


Groups:


Group A: Bayern Munich, Juventus, Club Brugge, Rapid Vienna

Group B: Arsenal, Ajax, Sparta Prague, FC Thun

Group C: Barcelona, Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen, Udinese

Group D: Man Utd, Villarreal, Lille, Benfica

Group E: AC Milan, PSV, Schalke 04, Fenerbache

Group F: Real Madrid, Lyon, Olympiacos, Rosenborg

Group G: Liverpool, Chelsea, Anderlecht, Real Betis

Group H: Inter Milan, FC Porto, Rangers, Artmedia Bratislava