The UEFA Champions League draw has produced some interesting matchups. It is time to hear it from the players and staff about their reactions to the UCL Draw.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid is a rematch from last year’s final. When they met at Lisbon, Real Madrid made a late comeback winning La Decima 4-1. After that, the next six draws between both teams have favored Atletico. This secures a spot for a Spanish team in the semi-finals.
Real Madrid's legend spoke on behalf of his team
Butragueño: “We are Real Madrid and we will be up to the task" http://t.co/kZNym16ykd #UCL #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/jbXyLWHLCB
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) marzo 20, 2015
"A great rival, just like the other seven that are in this stage of the Champions" Simeone
.@Simeone: "Un gran rival como los otros siete que están en esta etapa de la Champions" #UCLdraw #SorteoChampions #AtletiRealMadrid
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) marzo 20, 2015
The Colchoneros will host the first leg on April 14 to then make a short trip to the Santiago Bernabeu on April 22
Paris Saint Germain and Barcelona make up for another interesting matchup. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss the first leg due to a one-match ban imposed by UEFA after he got a red card against Chelsea. The last time these two teams met in the knockout stages, Los Cules advanced to the semifinals in 2013.
Barcelona's manager knows the French side is not a piece of cake
Luis Enrique says PSG among @championsleague favourites. http://t.co/WFFlq7yChu #UCL #UCLDraw #FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/YzBC2eJqCn
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) marzo 20, 2015
PSG would like to do with Barcelona what it did to Chelsea
PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi on @FCBarcelona draw: "We are ready for two exciting matches" http://t.co/dpG5OgVXGV #DreamBigger
— PSG English (@PSG_English) marzo 20, 2015
PSG will host Barcelona first on April 15 and then visit Camp Nou on April 21 to decide who moves on this time around.
The 2013 champion, Bayern Munich was paired up with Porto for the upcoming round. Real Madrid knocked them out 4-0 in the semi-final of last year. The Portuguese side is reaching the quarterfinals for the first time since 2008-09 when they lost 2-3 against Manchester United.
Pep is aware of Porto's potential
#Pep's thoughts on @FCPorto: "Every side has particular strengths. They're a young team without a loss in the #UCL." pic.twitter.com/ooKf0COHdg
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) marzo 20, 2015
The Portuguese side doesn't want to be seen as the underdog
Yacine Brahimi, @FCPorto: "We want to do beautiful things in the #UCL and we have huge ambition. We're in a great spell." #UCLdraw
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) marzo 20, 2015
Both teams will meet first at Oporto on April 14 and then move to Allianz Arena where on April 21 Bayern will try to make the semifinals for a fourth year in a row.
The other match will be between the Serie A leaders, Juventus and Monaco. The Italian side has a 10-5 record in this stage. They will face this round without Paul Pogba, out with an injury. 11 years have gone by since Monaco made it this far. They just shocked Arsenal, they are confident of doing the same with the Old Lady. Last time both teams met in the UCL, Juventus won 4-1.
"We must take this game seriously and ambitiously if we want to attend the semi-finals" Carvalho
Carvalho : "Nous devrons être sérieux et ambitieux si nous voulons atteindre les 1/2 finales de la @ChampionsLeague" pic.twitter.com/rFO7INrzl2
— AS MONACO (@AS_Monaco) marzo 20, 2015
Nothing is a given for Juventus entering the next stage of the tournament
Nedved: "Monaco are perhaps a greater threat away from home. We need to be extremely alert." #UCLdraw
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) marzo 20, 2015
Juventus will host the first leg on April 14 and Monaco will do so in the second leg on April 22.
