www.fcbarcelona.cat
Xavi
Don't get ahead of yourself Xavi. You've got to get past the Ukrainians before destroying, er, facing Real Madrid.The dust is starting to settle after the quarter-final draw was made today at UEFA HQ in Nyon, Switzerland.
Though much confidence and hot air have been blown around this past week about the remaining clubs having no fear and a confidence in their ability to beat any team on their day, mention the name Barcelona and brows quickly needed mopping.
Six teams can breathe once more; Shakhtar Donetsk have pulled the short straw. The Ukrainian side will face Barcelona over two legs for a place in the semi-finals, the first of which will take place at the Camp Nou on April 5th/6th with the return game on April 12th/13th. In relation to the other sides left in the competition, Shakhtar will be considered a good draw for the Catalan giants but certainly not one to be underestimated.
Donetsk are the Ukrainian champions and not afraid of upsetting the odds. In 2009, they won the UEFA Cup and they most recently knocked out Italians Roma on their way to the quarters. Barça will be favourites but that would be true regardless of what the draw threw up. The danger is that they start looking too far ahead and get distracted by the prospect of an 'El Clásico' semi-final.
You better believe it. Real Madrid have been paired against English surprise package Tottenham Hotspur, and the winner of that encounter will face the victor of the Barcelona vs Donetsk tie. On the other side of the draw there will be a repeat of the Chelsea-Manchester United final of 2008. The clash of the English titans will decide the semi-final opponents of Inter Milan vs FC Schalke 04, the reigning Champions League holders clear favourites to progress in that confrontation.
Semi-final 1: FC Internazionale Milano/FC Schalke 04 v Chelsea FC/Manchester United FC
Semi-final 2: Real Madrid CF/Tottenham Hotspur FC v FC Barcelona/FC Shakhtar Donetsk
Final to be held at Wembley on May 28th.