Mourinho: bring on the big league kingpins

JOSE MOURINHO believes facing Europe’s top team will inspire his team in the Champions League - regardless of whether he used to manage them.

Chelsea face Paris St Germain, CSKA Moscow and Porto in the group stages of the tournament - Mourinho won the competition with the Portuguese giants last year before moving to Stamford Bridge.

He insisted last night: “I think it is always a motivation to play against the big teams and we have got the European champions so I think it is a motivation for us.

“I think it will be two great matches - at Stamford Bridge for the first one and in Porto for the second one where there is a beautiful stadium and a beautiful crowd.

“But the group is really difficult. We also have CSKA, they have a style of play which is never easy.

“They beat Rangers and now they have in Russia some economic circumstances so they can buy players from other parts of Europe and South America.

“And also with PSG they had a great season last year and they have bought some great players. So I think it is a very strong group.”

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon was in Monaco for the draw and added: “My first reaction was that overall it’s a tough group. And having spoken with José that was his impression too.

“The outcome of facing Porto was always a possibility and we’re guaranteed to see two great games there.

“But there are no easy matches at this level. We won’t be taking anything for granted and the manager will do his homework as he always does.

“I feel we’re well equipped as a club, with an experienced squad and a manager capable of achieving success.”

The four English sides have all avoided Italian opposition, as well as Spanish trio Real Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.

Arsenal kick off at home to PSV Eindhoven on September 14 on the crest of a wave, having just broken Nottingham Forest’s record of 43 league games unbeaten.

Chairman Peter Hill-Wood said: “It is the best football I have seen played in my 50 years going to games, it has been a great thrill and to break the record is a great achievement.

“I believe we are playing as well as any other team in Europe, we are aiming to get to the final and win it. We have got a good draw with not a lot of travel either - I couldn’t have drawn it better myself.”

Manchester United’s first fixture is away at Lyon on September 15 and they end their group campaign away to Turkish side Fenerbahce, the first team to beat United in Europe at Old Trafford.

United chief executive David Gill said: “It’s an exciting draw and hopefully come the start of the competition we will have all our squad available and have a good Manchester United team in Europe.

“Fenerbahce’s record against us adds to the spice. I don’t think any of those three teams will be easy games for us but that’s the strength of the Champions League.”

There have been security concerns surrounding English sides in Istanbul in previous years but Gill played down any worries.

He added: “We have to approach these situations in a positive manner and endeavour to make sure that it is remembered as a great football spectacle.

“UEFA have decided that Istanbul is a suitable place to hold the final so I’m sure it will be suitable for us to play there too in the group stage - and it would be nice to go back there in May of course.”

There is Spanish opposition for Liverpool with Deportivo La Coruna and the Reds - who scraped through to the draw despite losing 1-0 at home to AK Graz in the second leg of their qualifying round - will also face Monaco and Olympiakos.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said: “It’s hugely important for us to be back in the Champions League and we are delighted to be here.

“There’s a good buzz under our new manager Rafael Benitez. He’s very intelligent, very hard-working, a nice guy - smiles a lot - is very driven, ambitious and a great coach.

“That feeds back through to the squad. He is working in different ways with the players but they are enjoying it and are responding well.

“We are very excited about our new signings and Milan Baros is a huge bonus. With the way he performed in Euro 2004, it’s almost like having a new signing.”