Share

Iniesta hopes to avoid Real in UCL quarter-final draw

Nyon - Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta admits he would prefer not to face Champions League holders and eternal rivals Real Madrid ahead of Friday's quarter-final draw in Nyon.

The Spain midfielder, a four-time winner of European club football's biggest prize, helped Barca progress to the last eight of the competition for the 11th year in a row after a 4-1 aggregate victory over Chelsea.

But Iniesta is hoping his side will not be drawn against Real, despite Barca defeating Cristiano Ronaldo's team 3-0 at the Bernabeu in the first Clasico of the Spanish league season in December.

"I do not want a Spanish team, because we know each other too much," Iniesta said, with clubs at this stage no longer protected from facing others from the same country.

"The thought of winning the Champions League is always a motivation, but it's difficult. The challenge is minimising errors, because one bad game and you're out."

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri, a runner-up with the Italian giants twice in the past three seasons, is desperate to avoid Barca and Lionel Messi, who hit his 100th Champions League goal on Wednesday.

Juve lost the 2015 final to Barca, and Allegri is sick of the sight of the side who beat his team 3-0 at the Camp Nou in this season's group stage before a goalless draw in the return fixture in Turin.

"I want to avoid Barcelona, after years of meeting them a year's rest is needed," said Allegri, who masterminded a 3-0 aggregate win over the Catalans in last year's quarter-finals.

But the former AC Milan boss is also wary of a Real outfit - unbeaten in the knockout rounds under Zinedine Zidane - that blew his team away 4-1 in June to lift the trophy for a record-extending 12th time.

"Real Madrid are clear favourites because they are growing and can no longer win the league. I won't offend anyone if I say that after three months of holidays they have begun to play," Allegri said.

'City best of the lot'

Roma sporting director Monchi, renowned from his time at Sevilla, believes Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are the strongest team in Europe, but concedes it will be a tall order regardless of the draw for a club through to its first quarter-final in 10 years.

"It's tough to say who is the best," Monchi said. "They're all difficult.

"(Barcelona) have a player (Messi) who's not normal in their team.

"Then there's Real Madrid, a club that's accustomed to winning everything; Juventus are on a successful run; Manchester City are the best of the lot in my opinion; Bayern Munich faced a good side in Besiktas, with top players, and won 5-0."

Five-time European champions Bayern head into the pot in confident mood after an 8-1 aggregate demolition of Besiktas, but coach Jupp Heynckes says that won't count for much in the next round.

"It comes down to the form on the day," said Heynckes. "It's also crucial to have all your important players. And then you need a little bit of luck at the right point."

Germany striker Sandro Wagner, who notched his first Champions League goal in the 3-1 win in Istanbul, believes Bayern are a match for anyone.

"We are Bayern Munich and we know we can overcome any opponent if we have a good day," he said.

Wagner's international team-mate Emre Can is equally as relaxed ahead of discovering Liverpool's quarter-final fate.

"There are just strong teams and that's why I don't care (who Liverpool draw). I don't mind who comes. It will be interesting," said Can, who under Jurgen Klopp is part of the first Liverpool side to reach this stage of the tournament since 2008-09.

The first legs of the quarter-finals will be played over April 3-4, with the returns scheduled for April 10-11.

The Champions League quarter-final draw takes place from 13:00 (SA time).

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
32% - 1843 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1810 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1100 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 470 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 193 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 261 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE