So, how to follow a miracle? That was the question facing David O'Leary yesterday afternoon after the draw from the second phase of the Champions' League pitted Leeds United against Lazio, the champions of Italy, Real Madrid, the European champions and Anderlecht, the club that finished above Manchester United in the first group stage.
After drawing Barcelona and AC Milan first time around, O'Leary had declared that it would be a miracle if his young and injury-beset side could escape Group H and yesterday, after the draw in Geneva had been made, he could have been forgiven for thinking: "Jaysus - we have to perform another miracle?"
By O'Leary's reckoning that is exactly what Leeds must do. But, having drawn at home to Barcelona and then away at the San Siro in Milan to secure the two points they needed to make it through to this heightened stage, Leeds should not fear any peak they are asked to climb.
In fact, Peter Ridsdale, Leeds's enthusiastic chairman, said that on the flight back from Milan all in the Leeds party had been talking excitedly about the prospect of meeting Real Madrid.
That was fantasy talk and that was then. The striking reality now is that Leeds will entertain the most celebrated club side in the 44-year history of the European Cup on Wednesday week.
Thirteen days later they will travel to the Olympic Stadium in Rome to play Lazio. The sequence of fixtures means that when Leeds look back on their European season to date during its winter break their last four games will have been against Barcelona, AC Milan, Real Madrid and Lazio.
No wonder Ridsdale was jubilant. "It's what we've all been dreaming about," the Leeds chairman said. "Drawing Real Madrid and then going back to the Olympic Stadium in Rome where we've been for each of the last two seasons." Those games were against Lazio's rivals AS Roma, whom Leeds knocked out of the UEFA Cup last season.
That result was evidence of Leeds's coming of age and Ridsdale was correct when he intimated that, though the group was daunting, not many European clubs of whatever stature will fancy a trip to Elland Road. Moreover, by February Leeds will have Harry Kewell fit again.
Arsenal, while not drawing clubs of the stature of those Leeds did, have a difficult task nevertheless. Bayern Munich, second behind Real in UEFA's rankings, are experienced and in Steve McManaman's view the most formidable opponents he has witnessed this year.
Spartak Moscow, Arsenal's first opponents in Russia in 10 days, beat Real this week and Lyon, said Arsene Wenger: "Are up and coming. You cannot discount them."
Wenger cannot resist having a dig at Manchester United, adding: "Along with Leeds we have been given the toughest group of the three English teams. Man United's second round group looks much more comfortable. But are you surprised?"
Arsenal are almost certain to be without Dennis Bergkamp for the opening game and the temperature in Russia is also likely to be against the Highbury club. "We could be playing snowball instead of football in Moscow," said Wenger, "but I'm more concerned that Spartak are a big side, a very difficult side to play." After Spartak, Arsenal play Bayern at home before the Christmas break.
The "comfortable" group Manchester United have been given includes Valencia and Sturm Graz, two of the teams United defeated on their way to the quarter-finals last season. United beat Valencia, eventual finalists, 3-0 at Old Trafford and then drew 0-0 in Spain when both were sure to get through. Sturm Graz, along with Anderlecht the surprise packages this time, were beaten 3-0 away and 2-1 in Manchester.
The third of United's opponents are Panathinaikos. They may have finished runners-up in the Greek league last season but on Wednesday they were responsible for the elimination of Juventus. Such form is not to be sniffed at but United know they have landed the best possible group following their narrow passage into this phase.
"Two of the sides we played in the Champions' League last year in Valencia and Sturm Graz," said Alex Ferguson, "so we're familiar with that part. The other one we don't know as much about but we've had them watched in one game against Deportivo La Coruna, so that information will be interesting and useful for us."
Pananthinaikos are United's first opponents - at Old Trafford on Tuesday week. It should be straightforward but, as Roy Keane might say, United must beware Greeks bearing gifts, especially if they're prawns.
