http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=285854&cc=5901
Friday, December 12, 2003
Chelsea among 'elite' - Smith
Chelsea interim chief executive Paul Smith claimed the club are headed for
a place among football's elite after they were drawn with Stuttgart in the
Champions League.
While Claudio Ranieri's side will travel to Germany in the first knockout
stage, Arsenal will meet Celta Vigo while Manchester United face Porto.
Chelsea defeated Lazio and Besiktas away on their way to winning the
group and meet Stuttgart, who lost 2-0 at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Smith said: 'There is a real momentum and expectation at the club that
the team progressively will be among the elite in Europe.
'This is the kind of experience (facing Stuttgart) we want to have.
'We did well in the group away from home against Lazio and Besiktas. If
we can repeat that level of performance then I think we need not be too
worried.
'Given the possible spectrum of opponents, Stuttgart is a very interesting
team for us to play.
'They have a very vigorous attacking style and are a young team riding
high in the Bundesliga.
'So it is a competitive league and it will be a very challenging match.'
Smith added: 'With it being a German team against an English team then
there is another dimension to the fixture.
'They performed well at home (against United) and like playing against
English teams.
'We will obviously study those games closely and see what we can learn
from that.'
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