English trio happy with draw

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2ND ROUND VfB Stuttgart v CHELSEA Porto v MANCHESTER UNITED Real Sociedad v Lyon Celta Vigo v ARSENAL Bayern Munich v Real Madrid Sparta Prague v AC Milan Deportivo v Juventus Lokomotiv Moscow v Monaco First legs 24/25 Feb 2004 Second legs 9/10 March Uefa Cup 3rd round draw

England's three representatives in the Champions League will be confident of making further progress following Friday's second round draw.

Chelsea will face VfB Stuttgart, Manchester United will play Porto, while Arsenal meet Celta Vigo.

But the tie of the round is the clash between Bayern Munich and favourites Real Madrid, who clash for the fourth time in five years.

Holders AC Milan face Sparta Prague and in the other two ties, Real Sociedad meet Lyon while Italian league leaders Juventus face Deportivo La Coruna.

The three English clubs, who will all be away in the first legs, will start favourites to reach the quarter-finals.

Manchester United face Portuguese league leaders Porto who they beat 4-0 on aggregate in the last eight six seasons ago.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I think it could be one of the more difficult draws," he said.

We know Celta Vigo pretty well because we played them a few years ago David Dein Arsenal vice-chairman

"They are a good side. Their home record is very impressive.

"It won't be an easy one but if you want to progress in this cup you've got to beat the best teams, and I think they are one of the best teams."

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein admitted he had expected to be drawn against Spanish opposition after the Gunners were paired with Celta Vigo.

He said: "I think the odds were always that it would be a Spanish team. We know Celta Vigo pretty well because we played them a few years ago.

"They were fourth last year in the Spanish league so they are a good team. It could have been worse but there is no easy game in the last 16 in Europe."

Chelsea meet Bundesliga leaders VfB Stuttgart who finished runners-up to Manchester United in the qualifying group stage.

Stuttgart have conceded just three goals in 15 league matches this term, but were beaten 2-0 at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Big-spending Chelsea beat Stuttgart in the 1998 European Cup Winners' Cup final in Stockholm.

Chelsea interim chief executive Paul Smith said: "Stuttgart are 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."

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