The Champions League draw for the quarter-final took place yesterday at 12 CET in Nyon yesterday and determined the new match-ups for the next stage. Paris St. Gerrmain will face Messi and Co, Bayern meets the only Italian team left with Juventus Turin, Madrid will travel to Galatasaray and Dortmund will face FC Malaga.
UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino, Steve McManaman and Giorgio Marchetti, UEFA competitions director, determined the quarter-final of the Champions League on Friday at the UEFA Headquarter. The quarter finals will be played on April 2nd/3rd and the return leg on April 9th/10th.
FC Málaga vs Borussia Dortmund
The first game they drew was the matchup between FC Málaga against Borussia Dortmund. Málaga is the surprise team of the Champions League and assembles some great players with Saviola, Santa Cruz and Joaquin. Málaga beat FC Porto after a 2:0 victory at home. However, Dortmund impressed as well and the team of Jurgen Klopp hasn’t lost a game in this year’s competition. Dortmund won the group against Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax Amsterdam. Kloss said: “Borussia Dortmund and Málaga are two teams that have surprised with their performances in the Champions League this season. So one thing is certain, there will be a surprise team in the semi-finals. The way they eliminated Porto shows they have a lot of quality in their squad.”
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PSG vs Barcelona
It will be Zlatan Ibrahimović’s first return to FC Barcelona since 2010. However, the Swede will miss the first leg because of suspension. Barcelona showed his qualities in the second leg against AC Milan (4:0) and proved that they are a favorite for the Champions League victory. PSG, on the other side, wants to show that they have the same qualities after spending millions on the transfer market. Carlo Ancelotti said: “It’s magnificent; we are delighted with the draw. We know it will be very difficult, but this will be a great test for us. Along with Real Madrid, they are competition favorites. They just have so many qualities – but we’ll have our say.”
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Bayern Munich vs Juventus Turin
Bayern Munich will face a tough opponent with Juventus Turin. Juventus will travel to Munich for the first leg on April 2nd. Both met in the groupl stage of the Champions League 2004/05 when Juventus won 1:0 at home. Bayern’s Kroos said: “Juventus eliminated last year’s Champions League winners. After Barcelona, they are the toughest draw for us. We need to produce top performances against them in order to prevail. It would be ideal to keep a clean sheet at home. Arturo Vidal has become an absolutely key player for Juventus.”
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Real Madrid vs Galatasaray
Galatasaray will travel to Madrid for the first leg of the quarter-final on April 3rd. Galatasaray, however, shouldn’t be underestimated. They beat Schalke 04 in the round of the last 16 and there squad is picked with international top players such as Hamit Altıntop and Wesley Sneijder. However, Real is one of the favorites to tin this year’s competition especially after beating Manchester United. “You never know. On paper it looks like there were stronger and more difficult teams to be drawn against, but in football and especially this competition it’s difficult to beat any opponent. We have maximum respect. It’s a very prestigious competition and also very dangerous. Any mistake, any bad night and you can be eliminated” said Emilio Butragueño from Real Madrid.
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