What's your dream draw?Some cruised through while others were pushed to the limit, but which teams would you like to see pitted against each other in Friday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final draw?
With the lineup for the last eight of the UEFA Champions League complete, the sense of anticipation is building across Europe ahead of Friday's quarter-final draw.
England's three remaining clubs are sure to fancy their chances regardless of the opposition, particularly since no Premier League side has lost at home in the competition in 18 outings. The last remaining contenders can now be drawn against clubs from the same country too, and that means a mouth-watering London derby between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC could potentially be on the cards. As for Manchester United FC, surely precious few sides would relish their prospects against the three-time winners.
Spanish giants FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF represent similarly hefty obstacles, while a tie pitting one against the other would set pulses racing far beyond Spain's borders. Should that occur, the omens might seem to favour Madrid, the capital outfit having defeated their eternal rivals 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals en route to their most recent European title in 2001/02. Barcelona's 5-0 Liga success against José Mourinho's men earlier this term would surely make the Azulgrana favourites, however.
Mourinho himself is keener to avoid former clubs Chelsea and holders FC Internazionale Milano, who completed a remarkable comeback against FC Bayern München to keep their title defence alive. "If I have to face those that were once my people I will do, but it'll require me to be more psychologically ready than if I was facing a team that's not in my heart," he said.
FC Shakhtar Donetsk are this season's surprise package and Mircea Lucescu's troops will be determined to continue their adventure after reaching the quarter-final stage for the first time in the club's history. Unbeaten on home soil in all competitions since October 2008, the Ukrainian champions will pose a daunting away challenge for any rival.
FC Schalke 04 may be struggling in their domestic league, finally, and they recently parted company with coach Felix Magath, but the German side have a UEFA Champions League winner in their midst in striker Raúl González. Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas declared that a reunion with his former team-mate "would be something very special", but he would ideally prefer to wait "until the final at Wembley".
All eight clubs are now counting down the hours to Friday's draw and even if few coaches and players have been willing to declare a preference, each potential opponent will inspire a different mix of emotions. The same goes for supporters too, so who are you hoping to see lock horns in the quarter-finals?
