Champions League quarter-final/semifinal draw, fixtures

(Updates with official fixtures as announced by UEFA)
NYON, Switzerland, March 24 (Reuters) - Draw and fixtures
for the quarter-finals and semifinals of the Champions League
announced by UEFA on Friday:
Quarter-finals, first legs:
Tuesday, April 4
3. Real Madrid (Spain) v Manchester United (England)
4. Porto (Portugal) v Bayern Munich (Germany)
Wednesday, April 5
1. Chelsea (England) v Barcelona (Spain)
2. Valencia (Spain) v Lazio (Italy)
Quarter-finals, second legs:
Tuesday, April 18
1. Barcelona (Spain) v Chelsea (England)
2. Lazio (Italy) v Valencia (Spain)

Wednesday, April 19
3. Manchester United (England) v Real Madrid (Spain)
4. Bayern Munich (Germany) v Porto (Portugal)
- - - -
Quarter-final ties to be played over two legs on Thursday,
April 6 and Thursday, April 20


Semifinals, first legs:
Tuesday, May 2
Winner 2 v Winner 1
Wednesday, May 3
Winner 3 v Winner 4
Semifinals, second legs:
Tuesday, May 9
Winner 4 v Winner 3
Wednesday, May 10
Winner 1 v Winner 2

Real look forward to heavyweight Champions League clash

Real Madrid got the draw they wanted on Friday when they were paired with Manchester United in what will be an authentic clash of the titans in the
quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The seven-times winners of the competition, the last being
in 1998, will play the reigning European champions at home on
April 4, with the return set for Old Trafford two weeks later.
Real recognised that they could not have been given a
tougher route to the final in Paris on May 24, with a semifinal
against Bayern Munich or Porto next up if they get past the
might of Manchester United.
But club president Lorenzo Sanz said he was already looking
forward to what he believes will be the most attractive tie of
the round.
"It's a clash between the last two champions of Europe and
it should be a great tie," said Sanz.
"It's a difficult draw for us but for them as well.
"The players wanted Manchester United before the draw and
now we've got them so let's see."
Real midfielder Jose Maria Gutierrez admitted his side had
been given a difficult task to continue their progress in Europe
but insisted the players were eagerly awaiting the clash.
"At this stage of the competition it's impossible to get an
easy draw," said Guti, who will miss the first leg because of
suspension.
"They're a great team -- the reigning champions in Europe
and it will be tough for us.
"But we're a great club as well and they hold no advantage
over us. It's at 50 percent at the moment."
Friday's draw left open the possibility of an all-English or
all-Spanish final, as Barcelona were drawn against Chelsea and
Valencia against Lazio in the other half of the draw.
Barcelona coach Louis van Gaal said he was delighted with
that outcome, although he warned that Chelsea were capable of
causing his side problems.
"I'm very pleased with the draw but only because the three
Spanish teams were kept apart," said the Dutchman. "That's very
positive for Spanish football.
"Chelsea are a very strong side. To make it through to the
last eight shows their quality.
"I saw them against Feyenoord and there was a big difference
in quality there.
"It should be a good game. Chelsea always want to attack,
just like Barcelona."
Valencia, in the quarter-finals for the first time and clear
outsiders for the competition, believe their draw with Lazio
gives them another opportunity to surprise a few people.
"Playing an Italian side means you're going to be up against
quality," said Valencia keeper Santiago Canizares.
"But this is an historic opportunity for us to win more
prestige at a European level.
"It'll be vital for us to win the home leg -- then see if we
can put the pressure on them."

 
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