Group A: Crespo wary of trio

In the aftermath of today's UEFA Champions League draw Internazionale FC striker Hernán Crespo said that he expects Group A to be fiercely competitive.

'A difficult group'
The Argentinian, who is joint top scorer on eight goals in the current UEFA Champions League campaign along with Filippo Inzaghi, said: "As always happens in the Champions League, it's a difficult group. We mustn't forget what it means to play against a prestigious club like [FC] Barcelona. [Bayer 04] Leverkusen are also a fearsome opponent, they were finalists last season. I wouldn't underestimate Newcastle [United FC] either. We'll have to give everything in each match by giving the maximum effort."

Cúper concurs

Barcelona confident
With six wins in the first group stage, Barcelona are brimming with confidence, and the prospect of welcoming former coach Sir Bobby Robson, who is now coach of Newcastle, pleased Barcelona director general Javier Perez Farguell.

Respect and affection

Calmund excited
Leverkusen general manager Reiner Calmund was excited at the prospect of competing in the second group stage for the second successive season, but was in no doubt of the difficulty of the task that would face the club's coach Klaus Toppmöller. "It's a tough group, there's no question about that, but we shouldn't be afraid of anyone," he said. "Inter top the table in Italy and Barcelona have won their six games in the opening stage," he said. "That says it all. Having Newcastle in our group is not good news. Of all English cities, Newcastle is the most crazy about football."

Feyenoord miracle
Having lost their first three games in the first group stage, it is a minor miracle that Newcastle managed to reach the second group stage, but confidence is high after a dramatic late winner at Feyenoord took them into today's draw.

Newcastle wonder
"I have been at Newcastle for 32 years and it was one of the most exciting games of my life," said Newcastle chief operating officer Russell Cushing said, who was not feeling too overawed by his side's prospects. "I think it could have been a more difficult draw for us. We played Barcelona a couple of times in recent years, Leverkusen we don't know too much about and we have great friends at Inter. I wouldn't like to predict anything. We will ask Sir Bobby later," he said.