European Champions Manchester United have been drawn with FC Porto in the quarter final of the Champions League. United lost their last tie with FC Porto 3-2 in 2004 after – with the Portuguese Champions eventually winning the tournament.
Arsenal will face Villarreal – a rematch of the 2006 semi-final, a game in which Arsenal won to go onto play Barcelona in the final. Barcelona will face Bayern Munich – with Bayern Munich full of confidence after their thrashing of Sporting Lisbon in the last round. However the tie of the round falls in England where Chelsea take on Liverpool, yet again.
Liverpool and Chelsea have played each other a number of times over the past five years – including the semi final last season. Liverpool were leading 1-0 at Anfield until an injury time own goal scored by John Arne Riise. Chelsea eventually won the tie to progress to the final in Moscow – where they lost on penalties to Manchester United. The first legs will take place on either April 7th or 8th with the return leg a week after,
Sir Alex Ferguson was happy with the draw as was quoted as saying “We are happy with the draw and we are looking forward to the next round”. Whereas Bayern boss Jurgen Klinsmann was more concerned with the threat of the English teams than his opposition Barcelona. The German World Cup winner was quoted as saying “The English clubs seemed more dangerous but in football anything can happen”.
The draw in full
Quarter Finals
- Villarreal v Arsenal
- Manchester United v Porto
- Liverpool v Chelsea
- Barcelona v Bayern Munich
Semi Finals
- Manchester United or Porto v Villarreal or Arsenal
- Barcelona v Bayern Munich or Liverpool v Chelsea
