Champions League quarter-final draws: Madrid rivals to clash for semi-final spot

Barcelona face familiar foes in PSG, while Porto meet Bayern and Juve take on Monaco.

NYON: Holders Real Madrid will have to overcome city rivals Atletico in the Champions League last-eight, in a repeat of last year’s final, while Barcelona face familiar opponents in Paris Saint-Germain after the draw made on Friday in Nyon.

Portuguese giants Porto host Bayern Munich of Germany in the first-leg of their quarter-final matchup while Italian champions Juventus welcome Monaco who knocked out English side Arsenal in midweek.

Sergio Ramos equalised in the dying minutes in Lisbon last year to send the final to extra-time before Real prevailed 4-1 over Diego Simeone’s Atletico for their 10th European crown.

Real’s legendary striker and current director of institutional relations at the club, Emilio Butragueno, thinks the tie is finely poised.

“Atletico are a competitive side and we have faced each other a lot this season and know each other well,” said the Spaniard in reference to the six matches the two clubs have played, with Real yet to register a victory since last year’s final. “They’re a side who know how to compete. They let in few goals, are good from dead balls and get the best out of each situation. We will see if we can beat them and come back for the draw for the semi-finals.”

Spanish champions Atletico are currently third in La Liga with Real seven points above them in second. They have not tasted defeat in six Madrid derbies this season, and have defeated Real in the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey. However, director Clemente Villaverde believes it would be folly for Atletico to take their city rivals lightly. “Football doesn’t have a memory. It would be a big error to think about the recent results we have had against Real,” said Villaverde.

Barca v PSG

Barcelona and PSG met in the group stages with both teams winning their respective home ties while they also met in the 2013 quarter-finals when the Spaniards prevailed on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw.

The French champions will be without former Barca striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the first-leg after the Swede was given a one-match ban following his sending off in the last-16 victory over Chelsea.

Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre knows the two sides are familiar foes. “PSG are old foes for us and we met them in the group stages. They’re a great team that has reinforced their squad significantly and we’re going to have to fight for the victory,” he explained.

Barca, who overcame Manchester City 3-1 on aggregate, are on track for a treble as their high-flying side ride on the crest of a streak that has seen them win 17 of their last 18 matches.

Porto v Bayern

Porto won the first of their two European Cups in 1987 when they defeated Bayern, their quarter-final opponents, in Vienna.

Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer expects a great atmosphere for the first-leg in Portugal. “The atmosphere in Porto is very heated. I witnessed the Porto fans during the 2004 Champions League final against Monaco,” said Neuer. “With these fans it won’t be easy for us, but we have played in many different stadiums with varying atmospheres and we will know what to expect.”

Juventus v Monaco

Finally, Serie A leaders Juventus, who won the competition in 1985 and 1996, take on 2004 finalists Monaco with the first leg scheduled for Turin.

Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim expects a tough two-legged matchup against the Italian giants. “Juventus are among the biggest sides. They are the favourites. We’re lucky to have the second leg at home. We’ll try to make the most of this quarter-final.”

First-leg matches will be played on April 14 and April 15 with the return legs on April 21 and April 22.

The final will be played in Berlin on June 6.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2015.

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