Nedved excited for Ronaldo vs. Messi battles

The Champions League draw done earlier today handed Juventus a mostly-favorable slate of opponents, especially compared to some of their other rivals. Drawn out of Pot 1 to head Group G, Juve will face Spanish side Barcelona, Ukraine’s Dynamo Kyev and Hungarian champions Ferencvaros.

Speaking soon after the draw was complete, Juve Vice President Pavel Nedved was excited about the prospects of renewing rivalries with a new-look Barca, now headed by Ronald Koeman.

“It’ll be a huge clash with Barcelona and a fascinating encounter, because it allows what in my view are still today the two best players in the world – Ronaldo and Messi – to face off against each other.

“Along with that, we are also seeing Miralem Pjanic and Arthur meeting, so that is another match within the match.”

He added that the other two sides in the group will also pose challenges of their own and should not be assumed as simple clashes, especially if the fixtures calendar proves to be unfavorable with matchdays 5 & 6 in the first two weeks of December.

“Dynamo Kyev are a very solid team with an experienced coach like Mircea Lucescu, who made history at Shakhtar Donetsk. If our fixture in Ukraine were to be in the winter, that would make it even more difficult.

“The Hungarians are something of an unknown quantity, not the usual opponents we see in the Champions League. Knowing Hungarian football, they will no doubt have a great deal of talent.

“We must keep our eyes out and be fully concentrated in every single game. It’s the Champions League, which means any team can cause problems.”

Despite his words of caution, after that draw Bianconeri will be feeling pretty good about their chances of winning the group and proceeding to the Round of 16 as one of the seeded teams.