English champions, Russian champions, Italian vice-champions: FC Bayern landed in a star-studded group in today's Champions League group stage draw. "It will be a difficult but interesting group," said chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in Monaco. Captain Philipp Lahm agreed that "difficulties await us in the away fixtures and we'll have to overcome them," whereas Arjen Robben is excited about the group: "We've drawn wonderful opponents."
Reaction to Thursday's draw
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: "This is a difficult but interesting group. We have to remain concentrated from the start to progress and reach the Round of 16."
Matthias Sammer: "The group has Champions League quality written all over it. Normally you have one or two easier opponents in the group but this is not the case here. The group is highly attractive and very difficult but also the right challenge for us. We have to face it head-on and that's good for us."
Philipp Lahm: "This is not an easy group. We'll come up against three very good teams, like Manchester City who are English champions for example. Above all, we'll face difficulties in the away fixtures and we'll have to overcome them."
Thomas Müller: "We know our opponents mainly from last year and it's a very demanding group. AS Roma from Pot 4 is a different caliber than Viktoria Pilsten and it will not be a walk in the park. But we're optimistic about going through."
Manuel Neuer: "We're coming up against familiar teams here. They're not easy opponents by any means, but we know from last year where we stand and can use that going in."
Arjen Robben: "We've drawn wonderful opponents, but of course it's going to be very tough. We have some fantastic Champions League nights ahead of us and we're all very excited about it."
Mehdi Benatia: "I'm completely overjoyed about the draw. I very much wished that we would meet AS Roma so I'd be able to see my friends again. They will both be wonderful matches."
