The seven-time European Cup winners were also pitted against Heerenveen and Braga during Thursday's draw in Nyon.

"We want to win our group but we need a good start," said Ancelotti. "The crucial games will be the last two, against Portsmouth and Wolfsburg."

Milan, who failed to qualify for the Champions League after finishing a disappointing fifth in Serie A last term, have high expectations heading into the group stages of the tournament.

"We expected a tough group and it is," admitted Ancelotti. "We have two teams that play in important tournaments such as the Premier League and the Bundesliga while the other two belong to tournaments that are always interesting, the Portuguese and the Dutch leagues."

For Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp, the prospect of hosting Milan on November 27 is one to savour.

"We've got a fantastic game, a dream tie, to put on for our fans and we need to make the best of it, with a 7.45 or 8pm kick off," he said.

"AC Milan in a European competition is a one-off occasion. That should be a fabulous night."

Sevilla, who won back-to-back UEFA Cups in 2006 and 2007 were placed in Group C alongside Stuttgart, Sampdoria, Partizan Belgrade and Standard Liege.

Stuttgart and Samp in particular will pose a threat to the Spaniards, but Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido believes his side should be considered favourites.

"It's a difficult group, perhaps the most difficult, we'll go with all the respect in the world," he said.

"But Sevilla are the two-time champions and have to accept their role as favourites.

"We'll go with respect but with the security that we have to get past the group stage as group winners, if possible."

Fellow Primera Liga outfit Valencia will also be expected to top their pool with Club Brugge, Rosenborg, FC Copenhagen and St Etienne awaiting them in Group G.

Valencia midfielder Ruben Baraja said: "It's a good group for us, we can start as favourites.

"We have to respect all the others because every team is difficult and we have the chance to do well in this group.

"The fixtures, playing away against Rosenborg and St Etienne, might be an added difficulty but not an excuse for not qualifying for the next round."

FC Copenhagen assistant coach Carsten V. Jensen is relishing the meeting with Scandinavian rivals Rosenborg.

"We're delighted about meeting Rosenborg. We see that match as a Nordic championship," he said.

Ajax coach Marco van Basten was quietly confident about his team's chances against Hamburg, Slavia Prague, Aston Villa and MSK Zilina in Group F.

"It was an interesting draw," said the former Holland boss. "Two teams from big competitions and two teams from lesser competitions.

"What strikes me at the moment is that all our opponents are doing well in their own league. But if you win your home games you have a reasonably big chance to go through to the next round."

Zilina coach Dusan Radolsky admits the draw will provide a test for his Slovakian outfit, saying: "All the teams are very strong but I am looking forward to playing them."

Paris St Germain coach Paul Le Guen believes Schalke and Manchester City will post the biggest threat to his side in a Group A which also contains Racing Santander and FC Twente.

"This group stage will be difficult for us," he said. "Schalke are formidable opponents who were in the Champions League last season.

"Manchester City are a team who have considerably reinforced themselves and who are very dangerous. This team have a strong Brazilian contingent, notably with Robinho, Jo and Elano.

"Regarding Racing Santander and Twente, well I don't really know those two teams. Twente beat Rennes in the last round, so we can also ask them for some information.

"I'm happy with the draw, it will give us the opportunity to play in some big stadiums, against big teams."

Group B is arguably the most difficult with Benfica, Olympiacos, Galatasaray, Hertha Berlin and Metalist Kharkiv set to do battle.

General manager Dieter Hoeness told www.herthabsc.de: "That is a tough group. Should we succeed (in going through), we would have definitely earned it."

Premier League strugglers Tottenham will hope to leave their woeful domestic form behind when they begin their bid to qualify from Group D away to Udinese.

That group also features Spartak Moscow, Dinamo Zagreb and NEC Nijmegen.

Group H comprises CSKA Moscow, winners of the competition in 2005, Deportivo La Coruna, Feyenoord, Nancy and Lech Poznan.