* Real against Galatasaray * Bayern vs. Juve NYON, Switzerland — Four-time winner Bayern Munich will face resurgent Juventus in the pick of the Champions League quarterfinals, while favorite Barcelona was paired with Paris St Germain, which declared itself outsider despite its huge financial backing. Champions League debutant Malaga, which has overcome pre-season financial turmoil to reach the last eight, takes on German champion Borussia Dortmund, while Real Madrid will face Galatasaray. Nine-time winner Real's tie pits its coach Jose Mourinho against his former Chelsea player Didier Drogba and brings back memories of an epic clash between the two sides 12 years ago. For the first time since the 1995-96 season, the last eight line-up was devoid of English Premier League teams after Manchester United and Arsenal went out in the last 16 and Chelsea and Manchester City failed to progress beyond the group stage. Although there was no seeding, the draw failed to produce any dream clashes such as Barcelona-Real Madrid or Bayern Munich-Borussia Dortmund. Bayern, beaten finalist last season when Chelsea lifted the trophy, and Serie A champion Juventus, back in the quarterfinals after a seven-year absence, both have commanding leads at the top of their respective leagues. The Bavarians, at home in the first leg, hammered Juventus 4-1 won away when the teams last met three seasons ago, but Bayern chief executive Karl-Heirz Rummenigge was still cautious. “That is certainly not a dream draw for us,” he told reporters. “Statistically we have not had good experiences with Juventus. It will be difficult and we will need to have two good days against them to reach the semis.” Juve director Pavel Nedved said: “Bayern are one of the hardest teams that we could have faced. We have to approach the tie positively. I'm proud that Juve are among the top eight sides in Europe and the only Italian side in the draw.” Paris St Germain's sports director Leonardo immediately declared his side as underdogs after they were drawn with Barcelona. “It couldn't have been worse for us in a purely sporting sense,” the Brazilian, whose side is home in the first leg, told reporters. “Barcelona are almost the perfect team.” “We are starting a new project and it's our first year in the Champions League after a long time. We have to look on this as a football festival, an opportunity to measure ourselves against the best team in the world.” The Qatari-backed Ligue 1 leader is set to be without former Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the first leg as he completes a two-match suspension. Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said his team cannot afford to slip up like it did in the last round, when it lost the first leg against AC Milan 2-0 before storming through with a 4-0 second leg win. Galatasaray's clash with Real will revive memories of their meeting in the 2000-01 season, also in the quarterfinals, when the Turks overturned a two-goal deficit at home to win 3-2. Real, which will play at home first this time, won the return 3-0. Galatasaray assistant coach Umit Davala, who converted a penalty in that game, said he would have preferred a Bundesliga side because of Turkish support in Germany. Dortmund sports director Michael Zorc, whose team is at home in the first leg, seemed relieved to get Malaga. “We can live with this draw,” he said. “At least it is better than playing Barcelona, Real or Bayern.” The first legs will be played on April 2 and 3 and the second legs one week later. — Agencies
