English clubs await European fate
An unprecedented four English clubs are awaiting the
Champions League quarter-finals draw on Friday at 8:00
pm.
Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United join
Barcelona, Roma, Schalke 04 and Fenerbahce in the hat.
There are no seedings and no country protection, meaning the
English clubs could be drawn against each other.
The semi-final pairings will also be decided at the draw
ceremony in Switzerland, while the Uefa Cup last-eight draw is due
at 9:00 pm.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists he is not worried about
coming up against a domestic rival.
"We will relish the chance to face another English team in the
quarter-finals if that happens," said Ferguson.
But Chelsea captain John Terry, whose side have lost to
Liverpool in the semi-finals in two of the last three seasons,
would prefer to avoid English opposition - at least for now.
"Hopefully we can avoid other English teams but if we are drawn
together we have to beat them," he said.
The success of the Premier League's 'Big Four' has raised hopes
of an all-English final for the first time in history.
But Spanish giants Barcelona are among the other four teams
hoping to prevent such an event.
The former champions, who have slipped back in the race for La
Liga, eased past Celtic in the last round and have won all their
matches except two in this year's competition.
Roma ensured Italy have one representative in the last eight
with a surprise win over Real Madrid.
They will be hoping to avoid Manchester United after suffering a
7-1 drubbing at Old Trafford in last year's quarter-finals.
Fenerbahce and Schalke are through to the last eight for the
first time in their history.
Champions League quarter-finalist
Liverpool
Arsenal
Chelsea
Manchester United
Barcelona
Roma
Schalke 04
Fenerbahce
