English sides kept apart in quarter-final draw for Champions League

The Champions League trophy on display for the quarter-final draw in Athens. AS Roma coach Luciano Spalletti gave high praise to Manchester United with whom they were drawn in the Champions League quarter-finals.

AS Roma coach Luciano Spalletti gave high praise to Manchester United with whom they were drawn in the European Champions League quarter-finals on Friday.

Manchester must travel to the Italian capital on April 3/4 and Spalletti said that even though they are not afraid of their opponents, they can appreciate their quality.

The other quarter-finalists were AC Milan at home to Bayern Munich, PSV Eindhoven entertaining Liverpool, and Chelsea playing their first leg of the tie at home to Valencia.

Spalletti told Italian television station Sky: "Of course Manchester's past record proves they might have the plus that you need in this competition.

"They are a strong, complete team with young players of quality and wearing the jersey gives them even more strength. But we will give it our all without thinking of any of that."

Spalletti also said he was expecting his side to show a high standard in their match, saying: "We are very good tactically and technically with a very good defence."

As for the AC Milan versus Bayern Munich game, coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said: "They (AC Milan) are opponents of great class and it will be a big challenge against one of the best teams in Europe. Milan have great players like Kaka, Clarence Seedorf and Filippo Inzaghi."

UEFA chairman Michel Platini holds the Champions League trophy during the quarter-final draw in Athens. AS Roma coach Luciano Spalletti gave high praise to Manchester United with whom they were drawn in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Bayern have the first match away, and Hitzfeld added: "We need to be in a good position for the second leg when we have the chance to impose ourselves in front of our own fans."

Bayern president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said their defeat to the Italians the previous year had been a poor memory.

"Everyone knows the result of the season before against Milan (a 4-1 loss in the second leg of the last 16)," Rummenigge said. "That's was not a glorious moment for us. This time maybe we can do something good.

"At least we have the advantage of the first leg being away but it will be hard and perhaps it is the tactics of Italian teams which do not suit us and they play defensively and with pragmatism. They give their all until the final seconds and wait for an error from their opponents."

Bayern defender Willy Sagnol was happy they had not drawn London club Chelsea. "The worst draw would be to play against Chelsea," he said, adding like Bayern, Milan had not been in top form this season, and that the loss of Andriy Shevchenko had been a blow.

PSV Eindhoven, who ousted Arsenal in the last 16, now play another English club Liverpool with the first leg at their Philips stadium.

Should Chelsea and Liverpool win their last eight clashes, they would meet in the semi-final in late April and early May.

A giant screen shows the draw for the Champions League quarter-final stages in Athens. The final will be played at the Athens Olympic Stadium on May 23.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon told Britain's Sky Sports television: "We are glad to be here and it's a good draw and it keeps the English clubs away from each other for the next round. You would rather be away for the second leg but overall we are happy with the draw."

Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores told the club's website: "It will be very difficult but, with Liverpool, they (Chelsea) are the opponents who resemble us the most."

However Flores was happy with how the draw had fallen, adding: "The best thing is to play (the first leg) away which could be very important."

Manchester United chief executive David Gill said: "I think it's a fantastic draw but every team is going to be a tough draw. Playing in Europe is about playing European teams."

"A club of our stature should be in there for the last stages."

Liverpool secretary Bryce Morrison, dreaming of a Liverpool versus Manchester United final, said: "It would be an amazing final."

Quarter-finals

AC Milan (ITA) v Bayern Munich (GER)

PSV Eindhoven (NED) v Liverpool (ENG)

AS Roma (ITA) v Manchester United (ENG)

Chelsea (ENG) v Valencia (ESP)

1st leg: April 3/4, 2nd leg: April 10/11

Semi-finals

Winners of quarter-final 4 v Winners of quarter-final 2

Winners of quarter-final 3 v Winners of quarter-final 1

1st leg: April 24/25, 2nd leg: May 1/2

Final

Winners semi-final 2 v Winners semi-final 1

May 23, Athens Olympic stadium