Vieira aware of English threat

Watch the Champions League draw live on Sky Sports News from 10.30 am on Friday

By James Dall   Last updated: 19th December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Vieira aware of English threat

Vieira: Aware of English threat

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Patrick Vieira has told skysports.com the biggest threat to Inter Milan's ambition of lifting the UEFA Champions League comes from the four Premier League clubs.

This season's draw for the first knockout round is due take place on Friday and can be seen live on Sky Sports News from 10.30am.

Jose Mourinho's Inter finished second in Group B and could face the likes of Liverpool, holders Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the next stage.

English sides Arsenal and Chelsea are also in the draw but Inter will initially avoid the pair after they too were runners-up in their respective groups.

And former Gunners midfielder Vieira has pinpointed the strength of the English teams as the Italian giants' aim to secure Europe's showpiece for the first time since 1965.

"Yes (I see our main rivals coming from England)," he told skysports.com at an event run by Ford's Feel Football debate website www.feelfootball.com.

"I think in the last few years we have seen how well the English sides have done in the Champions League.

"Arsenal are capable of winning it this year. What is really interesting with Arsenal is that in one game they are capable of beating any team.

"So I am sure they have got the quality and determination to do well in the Champions League.

"I think it will be even more difficult for Manchester United to win it again this year. Even if it is believed they are stronger than last year."

Ford's Feel Football programme engages fans debate with Champions like Jose Mourinho, Anders Frisk, Patrick Vieira and Ruud Gullit online at www.FeelFootball.com and at live events around Europe.