Champions League quarterfinal draw
Published 3/14/2007 8:14:34 AM by ESPNSoccerNet from SoccerNet.com
England's three representatives in the Champions League were kept apart in today's draw for the quarter-finals but Chelsea and Liverpool could meet in the semi-finals.
Chelsea were handed a tough draw against Spanish side Valencia while Liverpool will play Arsenal's conquerors PSV Eindhoven. Manchester United will have to overcome Roma and if they do so would face the winners of Bayern Munich v AC Milan for a place in the final in Athens on May 23.
Both United and Liverpool have the advantage of playing the second leg of their quarter-finals at home. Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon was relieved that the club do not face English opposition in the last eight.
He told Sky Sports News: 'The draw keeps the English teams away from each other until the next round. It's good for the teams in it and for the competition. I guess the only thing you would say is you would rather be at home in the second leg but at this stage you've got to go with the draw. Overall we're happy with the draw. This is a big competition, we've done well in it but never got to the final. The team is doing well and if you look at the teams in it at this stage we stand a good chance.'
Kenyon confirmed that PSV's Brazilian defender Alex, whom it has been alleged is part-owned by Chelsea, would be eligible to play them in the semi-final if the Dutch side beat Liverpool. He added: 'He is their player, we have got an option to sign him at the end of the season. He is their player, he is certainly eligible if we both get through to the next round.'
It is only the second time United have made it into the quarter-finals since winning the trophy in 1999 and United chief executive David Gill admitted the club had under-performed in Europe in recent years.
Gill said: 'It's a fantastic draw. We haven't been in the quarter-finals for a few years and to be back is fantastic. For me, playing in Europe is about playing other European teams. Obviously Chelsea and Liverpool could meet in the semi-final and it could be an all-England final, who knows? It is a personal thing. I think for me personally, to win the Premiership this year would be a fantastic achievement. If I had to choose which one, that would be it. We have under-performed in Europe in the last few years. A club of our stature should be in the latter stages.'
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: 'We have never played Roma before, so it is new. That is the great excitement in Europe. You play teams you have never played before.'
Ferguson fancied Lyon as dark horses to win the tournament this year and was therefore impressed that Roma knocked them out in the last 16 round. 'We respect their last result. They have some great players like De Rossi and Mancini. Obviously we do not look beyond this game. We must concentrate on this game and we are looking forward to it.'
Liverpool secretary Bryce Morrison said he believed the feeling that ran through the club two years ago when manager Rafael Benitez guided the team to victory in the final in Istanbul was returning.
'We are just beginning to get it now and hopefully we can go all the way. I think it was a better draw for us with the teams which were remaining.'
Asked to look ahead to the potential semi-final opponents for Morrison added: 'It would be fantastic if we could get through the quarter-final. We had a great night at Anfield two years ago against Chelsea, or it could be Valencia, Rafa's previous team.'
The last-eight first legs will be played on April 3 and 4 and the return matches on April 10 and 11. Semi-finals will be played on April 24 and 25 and the second legs on May 1 and 2.
Quarter-finals
Tuesday, April 3
AC Milan v Bayern Munich
PSV Eindhoven v Liverpool
Wednesday, April 4
AS Roma v Manchester United
Chelsea v Valencia
Tuesday, April 10
Manchester United v AS Roma
Valencia v Chelsea
Wednesday, April 11
Bayern Munich v AC Milan
Liverpool v PSV Eindhoven
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