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APOEL Nicosia's Helio Pinto relishing the prospect of meeting Lyon in last 16 of Champions League
The Portuguese midfielder says it's a dream to be in the knockout stages, while CSKA Moscow coach Leonid Slutsky feels his side can defy the odds and beat Real Madrid
16 Dec 2011 15:48:00
By Enis Koylu
Getty
APOEL Nicosia midfielder Helio Pinto is eager to lock horns with Lyon in the last 16 of the Champions League.
APOEL became the first Cypriot side to qualify for this stage of the tournament and the 27-year-old feels that playing the likes of Lyon is what makes the European competition so special.
"In my opinion, it will be really great for us to play against them and we will all be looking forward to it. It is our dream to be playing in these games," the Portuguese told Uefa.com.
"We knew before the draw that every team we would face would be a strong opponent. We didn't have any preferences with regards to who we could face.
"Lyon are a fantastic team with great players, a great stadium, passionate fans and with plenty of Champions League experience. We all saw what they did in their group which also consisted of Real Madrid."
Meanwhile, CSKA Moscow coach Leonid Slutsky has also voiced his excitement after watching his side draw Real Madrid.
"We are set to face a top club and I am looking forward to another meeting with Jose Mourinho. I believe we can rival Real Madrid," Slutsky said according to Uefa.com.
"We are in for exciting and prestigious matches, both for the club and the players. We do not play one of the best teams in the world every day."
After his team drew Benfica, Zenit St Petersburg goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev believes that the first leg in Russia will be key to his side's chances of progression.
"Benfica are a good team. They won their group, and that's that. Much will be decided in St Petersburg. The Portuguese team are strong," the 32-year-old wrote on Twitter.
After knocking out Manchester United, Basel coach Heiko Vogel felt that his side would need a performance of biblical proportions to beat Bayern Munich.
"With Bayern Munich of course we get one of the absolute favourites of this year's Champions League.
"This situation is clear: it is a fight of David against Goliath again for us. We know the role of David," Vogel told the club's official website.
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APOEL became the first Cypriot side to qualify for this stage of the tournament and the 27-year-old feels that playing the likes of Lyon is what makes the European competition so special.
"In my opinion, it will be really great for us to play against them and we will all be looking forward to it. It is our dream to be playing in these games," the Portuguese told Uefa.com.
"We knew before the draw that every team we would face would be a strong opponent. We didn't have any preferences with regards to who we could face.
"Lyon are a fantastic team with great players, a great stadium, passionate fans and with plenty of Champions League experience. We all saw what they did in their group which also consisted of Real Madrid."
Meanwhile, CSKA Moscow coach Leonid Slutsky has also voiced his excitement after watching his side draw Real Madrid.
"We are set to face a top club and I am looking forward to another meeting with Jose Mourinho. I believe we can rival Real Madrid," Slutsky said according to Uefa.com.
"We are in for exciting and prestigious matches, both for the club and the players. We do not play one of the best teams in the world every day."
After his team drew Benfica, Zenit St Petersburg goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev believes that the first leg in Russia will be key to his side's chances of progression.
"Benfica are a good team. They won their group, and that's that. Much will be decided in St Petersburg. The Portuguese team are strong," the 32-year-old wrote on Twitter.
After knocking out Manchester United, Basel coach Heiko Vogel felt that his side would need a performance of biblical proportions to beat Bayern Munich.
"With Bayern Munich of course we get one of the absolute favourites of this year's Champions League.
"This situation is clear: it is a fight of David against Goliath again for us. We know the role of David," Vogel told the club's official website.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
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