Italians lament tough draws

Inter Milan and AC Milan were lamenting their tough luck after being given difficult groups following the Champions League draw in Monaco on Thursday.

AC Milan were paired with Real Madrid for the second year running, along with four-time champions Ajax and Auxerre.

Reigning champions Inter pulled Tottenham, Werder Bremen and Dutch champions FC Twente out of the hat.

But Inter president Massimo Moratti was actually surprised that his team didn’t get paired with former coach Jose Mourinho’s new team, Real.

“I thought we’d get Mourinho straight away, as happened with Barcelona last year,” he said, referring to the fact that Inter drew Barcelona last season, after swapping Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto’o.

“I don’t know if it’s better to play them in the group or if it’s worse to get them in the quarter-finals.”

Moratti admitted he would be supporting Mourinho’s Real against Inter’s bitter city rivals Milan.

But looking at his own group, he said it wouldn’t be easy.

“It’s a tough group, difficult and even because all our opponents are good and there’s no weak teams.

“We’ll have to tackle it very seriously from the beginning, without being casual or distracted, from the first game to the last.

“But I doubt Milan’s will be a breeze either.”

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said the two Milan clubs had landed the toughest draws.

“Our group and Inter’s are definitely the most difficult,” he said. “We’re up against solid and well prepared teams.

“Of course it’s very motivating to face Real Madrid, both the San Siro and Santiago Bernabeu will be packed to the rafters, no doubt it will be a show.

“Ajax and Auxerre passed the qualifying rounds with flying colours and they should be feared.

“We’re going to have maximum concentration and top physical condition for all our matches.

“It’s a group of death, but we’ll do what we need to.”