Dynamo Kyiv were drawn against Arsenal, Porto and Fenerbahce at Thursday's draw ceremony in Monaco. Coaches of Dynamo's opponents in Group G were asked to give their views on the results.
Danny Fiszman, Arsenal director
- It is not the worst draw we could have had. Arsène Wenger's main issue will be the travel. Porto is not too bad but Kiev and Fenerbahçe [Istanbul] are long trips. That is the real issue for us. I don't think we have got it easy or we have a hard draw either. It is in the middle, with the problem of the distance of course. We look forward to meeting [former Arsenal defender] Oleh [Luzhny] again. I remember being there in Kiev when we bought him. He always did well for us and gave 100 per cent. Fenerbahçe are not going to be easy. They have great local support. The team will have to contend with the atmosphere as well as the opposition. Porto were [European] champions in 2004 so they cannot be underestimated.
Jesualdo Ferreira, Porto coach
- Istanbul and Kiev are never easy places to play football. Fenerbahçe have reached the Champions League quarter-finals. As for Dynamo, besides the weather conditions in Kiev, we know Ukrainian teams have skill, physical strength and speed. Arsenal are always one of the strongest sides in this competition, although they have made some changes to their squad. But they will always be strong. Nevertheless, regardless of the draw, our goal is the same as always. We want to get beyond the group stage and, with the work we are doing, it is certain we will keep improving over the next few weeks.
Luis Aragonés, Fenerbahçe head coach:
- It's only the beginning. Undoubtedly, there are only the strongest teams in the tournament. Anyway, we are going to do our best.
uefa.com
