Mijatović aims high for Madrid

New challenges for Bremen
However, while group favourites Madrid may have got the better of Lazio when the sides met in 2000/01, the omens are not all bright: the Spanish side have never won in Greece, including three past visits to Olympiacos, and their 2006/07 campaign ended on German soil, where they will face Bremen. The Bundesliga club's coach, Thomas Schaaf, meanwhile was excited about facing Madrid - one of three new opponents for Bremen - yet he will be hoping for a change of luck against the Merengues given Spanish opponents ended their interest in both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup last season.

Predrag Mijatović, Madrid sporting director
We're very enthusiastic about this edition of the Champions League. We have a young squad and we're eager to do something great this season after not going further than the Round of 16 in the last four years. I think Real Madrid are the favourites in the group but there are no easy opponents and there can always be surprises so we have a lot of respect for all the clubs.

Thomas Schaaf, Bremen coach
These are three clubs we have never played before. The matches against Madrid are, of course, the most interesting ones. There are a lot of interesting stories with German coach Bernd Schuster and fellow German Christoph Metzelder, but also players like [Ruud] Van Nistelrooy, Robinho, Raúl [González] and [Fabio] Cannavaro. We do not forget about the huge tradition of Lazio or Olympiacos, who once again won the Greek league. These are difficult teams to play against.

Claudio Lotito, Lazio president
It's impossible to be satisfied or unsatisfied after a draw as every group is difficult. All the teams in the UEFA Champions League are very strong so I was expecting nothing easier or nothing more difficult than this. Every match is different to each other and small details can make the difference at this level so it's impossible to make predictions now. I just would like to see my players show the same spirit they had in the third qualifying round.

Predrag Djordjević, Olympiacos captain
We have played against Real Madrid several times in Europe. Werder Bremen are a tough, attacking side. Lazio, like every Italian team, are strong and disciplined on the pitch. They play passionately. We have a relatively new side, with many newcomers, and we need time to blend and get to know each other better. I am optimistic about the future.