Finally, Champions league list of last eight has been finalized and its highlight is that two arch rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid are standing right opposite to each other. Besides, there is one more interesting part of the last eight where Barcelona is going to face David Beckham’s PSG in the quarterfinal. Other quarterfinals involve Málaga playing Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid playing Galatasaray, and Bayern meeting with Juventus in their first knock out match of the league. At the moment, both Barcelona and Madrid are favorites to win their respective matches coz PSG is not in good form while at the same time Madrid needs little bit of precaution from Galatasaray’s army of high profile players, like Didier Drogba, Wesley Sneijder, and Burak Yilmaz among others. Other two matches are insignificant at this stage but anything can happen at the last moment.
Anyways, PSG is itself considering their big bash a special one coz they are meeting none other than Barca, Their sporting director Leonardo said over this, “They are the favorites, not only against us but all the teams. But you just have to these moments like a big party. It’s a big event for us, the first year back in the Champions League for so many years. If we had to sign for this before the season, it would be perfect. To play a quarterfinal against Barca will be very special.”
On the other side, Barca sporting director is also optimistic about their triumph in the knockout stage, however, he acknowledges other teams’ strength as well, he said, “We will meet various players we know very well. The teams that reach the quarterfinals have all played well. The draw is good or bad depending on whether you are back here in three weeks. We just had an experience in the last 16 that will make us be very prudent.” Moreover, this year, semifinal draw is not decided along with quarterfinals tally, so a probable showdown between Barcelona and Madrid is possible, if they win their respective matches and then meet in the league final. If Madrid could win Champions League this year, it would be the third club Jose Mourinho has won this title with. In the past, he has won the same title with Porto and Inter Milan.
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes also reacted positively looking at the final eight, he said, “At the moment they are the best Italian team, a really tough opponent. It’s a test of caliber. They will be huge Champions League nights … It’s an even match-up.”