'Special' night for Ajax's Boilesen and Lyon's Bastos

AFC Ajax full-back Nicolai Boilesen, 19, has been watching the UEFA Champions League since he was six and described his debut as "something special". There were positives for both the Dutch club and Olympique Lyonnais to take from Wednesday's 0-0 Group D draw, with Player Rater winner Michel Bastos saying: "One point here is very welcome."

Nicolai Boilesen, Ajax defender
It was something special to make my debut in the Champions League this evening, I've been watching it since I was six. By the time I was 13, and taking my football career seriously, I started dreaming about one day taking part. I wasn't too nervous, but maybe once I'm home I'll fully appreciate what happened this evening. That's fine, because it's important to not let the occasion get the better of you. Lyon are, of course, a very good opponent, but I felt we were better for longer periods of the game. It's a shame we didn't get all three points.

Gregory van der Wiel, Ajax defender
We started well and dominated the first 20 minutes, but after that we lost our grip on the match. But over the game I thought we played better and had the most chances. We had to be careful because they could always hit us on the counter. I suppose you could say it's good that we kept a clean sheet, but in the group phase the points are most important so I would much rather have won 3-2.

Michel Bastos, Lyon midfielder
I could have done better because I had two chances to score, but it's good to be voted man of the match. We played well against a good Ajax side, and one point here is very welcome, especially because they are a direct competitor in the group. It was very special for me to play again in the Netherlands, I started my career here ten years ago with Excelsior and Feyenoord, so it's always nice to return.

Dejan Lovren, Lyon defender
It was a difficult game for us, we had to do a lot of defending today. We came to win the game, not for a 0-0, but we can be happy with a draw because we weren't playing at home. We had good opportunities but I think next time at home it will be easier for us [against GNK Dinamo Zagreb]. Real [Madrid] are obviously the favourites to win the group, and for second place three clubs have a chance, including Zagreb, so this was an important point.