adminNYON. – Bayern Munich’s Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso are relishing facing their former club, Real Madrid, when two of the favourites for the Champions League title clash in the quarter-finals.
Holders Real play Bayern away on Wednesday, April 12 at Munich’s Allianz Arena with the return at Madrid’s Bernabeu six days later in a clash of Europe’s titans.
Ancelotti led 11-time winners Real to their 10th Champions League title – ‘‘La Decima’’ – in 2014 with Alonso, who was suspended for the Lisbon final, urging his side on before he joined Bayern for the 2014-15 season.
“It is going to be exciting to play against them. We are very confident and want to win the Champions League this season,” said Ancelotti, who also won the European title twice with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007.
“I think we have the ability to beat Real Madrid.” There will be a master verses pupil clash when Bayern take on Real.
Real’s current coach Zinedine Zidane was Ancelotti’s assistant when Madrid lifted the European title three years ago by beating Atletico Madrid 4-1 after extra-time in the final.
Zidane then matched Ancelotti by winning the Champions League in his debut season as head coach last year.
English champions Leicester play their first quarter-finals in the top-tier European competition against Atletico Madrid as France’s Monaco clash with Borussia Dortmund over two legs in April.
Ancelotti, who led Real to their tenth Champions League title in 2014, was looking forward to a special tie.
“It is going to be exciting to play against them. We are very confident and want to win the Champions League this season,” said Ancelotti, who also won the European title twice with AC Milan.
“I think we have the ability to beat Real Madrid.”
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was relishing a ‘‘classic’’ as his five-time winners target more than just a sixth straight semifinal appearance.
“This is a classic, which is probably the absolute top draw that lay in the pot,” said the former Germany striker.
“All football fans in the world can look forward to it.”
Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno, however, appeared downcast.
“It is one of the worst draws we could have got without a doubt but it is also for them,” said Butragueno.
“We would have liked to have faced them further on in the competition,” the former Spanish international said.
“It is not the best draw, but we too have top quality players with a lot of experience and it is a great tie. For sure the whole world will be watching these two games.”
Italian giants Juventus can avenge their narrow 2015 final defeat against Barcelona, but face the daunting task of muting the competition’s top marksman Lionel Messi.
Juventus vice-president Pavel Nedved hinted at the size of the task ahead of them. “You need to be at your best for 180 minutes or more to overcome Barca,” said former midfielder Nedved.
“It’s a fascinating tie. Juve have improved a lot since 2015 and this team can play without fear against Barcelona.”
Leicester landed last year’s beaten finalists Atletico Madrid, a draw which prompted British bookmakers to slash the odds making Atletico third favourites to lift the trophy in the June 3 final at Cardiff behind Barcelona and Bayern.
The Foxes will travel to the Spanish capital for the first leg in the week beginning April 10, with the second match the following week.
Leicester are England’s sole representatives following the elimination in the last 16 of Manchester City and Arsenal.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico have reached the Champions League final in two of the last three seasons, losing to city rivals Real on both occasions, last year on penalties.
France’s free scoring Monaco were drawn to meet Thomas Tuchel’s Borussia Dortmund meaning goal-king Pierre Emerick Aubameyang goes back to his old club.
“I saw Monaco’s match against Manchester City and I am aware that they have a goal difference of +58 in the league. It’s a difficult match,” said Dortmund chairman Hans Watzke.
Fixtures:
Atletico Madrid v Leicester City
Borussia Dortmund v Monaco
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
Juventus v Barcelona – SuperSport.
Online Reporter