“We would have been happy with any draw“

Hans-Joachim Watzke (chairman of the management board): “Zenit St Petersburg have an outstanding squad and are currently joint league leaders with Lokomotiv Moscow in Russia. We went through as group winners on 12 points in what was probably the toughest group, and to reach the knockout stage in the elite competition was one of our goals this season. We have achieved that, and honestly I would have been totally happy with any draw in the last 16.”

Michael Zorc (sporting director): “Zenit have developed into a top Russian side in the last couple of years and spent a lot of money in players like Brazil striker Hulk or the Belgian attacking midfielder Axel Witsel. The Russian league only resumes on 8 March, which is a similar scenario to last year’s meeting with Ukrainian top club Shakhtar Donetsk. We hope, of course, that the climate conditions there will be normal.”

Jürgen Klopp (head coach): “I’ve never been in Russia and I’m looking forward to the games in February and March. We will be having a good look at Zenit in the next couple of weeks. You need a lot of quality to survive the group stage of the Champions League, but I can’t and don’t want to assess St Petersburg right now. It wouldn’t be right to go now, more than two months before the first meeting, into more detail.”

Sebastian Kehl (BVB captain): “In Zenit St Petersburg we didn’t get the toughest draw, it could have been worse. But we have never played in St Petersburg, and we need to be prepared for uncomfortable temperatures. I think we have a good chance to reach the next round if we play to our potential. And it’s a bit on an advantage to play away first. We are looking forward to the trip to St Petersburg.”

Kevin Grosskreutz (scorer of winning goal in Marseille): “To be honest, I would have rather played AC Milan. It’s a great city, not far away, and so for our many fans easy to reach. But St Petersburg are an interesting draw, too. Above all, I know Hulk, a bulky striker with great strength. He is one the players we need to keep under control. I think it has no significance at all that St Petersburg came through the group stage on only six points and with a negative goal difference. They are a top-class side through and through.”