Champions League: Arsenal draws Juventus

At the Hotel de Ville in Paris, English side Arsenal was handed its next monumental challenge, drawing Serie A leaders Juventus as their foe for the Champions League quarter-finals. Arsene Wegner's reaction, as was quoted by Reuters.com was one of caution. "Juventus may be the hottest favourites after Barcelona." Wegner was not discouraged, as he feels his young team is riding high, coming off its stunning upset of Spanish giants, Real Madrid. As well, Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein was quoted on BBC.com as having high hopes for the quarter-final tie. "I know Juventus are running away with their domestic league, but our boys will be up for it, don't worry. There is a lot of confidence in our team."

Portuguese side Benfica, having come off their astounding victory over last year's champions, Liverpool, will be handed their most challenging opponent of this year's tournament, drawing favorites FC Barcelona, in a rematch of 1961 European Cup final, won by Benfica. Barcelona has looked incredibly convincing in the tournament, having bumped off juggernauts Chelsea in the Round of 16. In order to keep their successes going, Barcelona will have to defeat Ronald Koeman's surging Benfica. Ironically, Koeman was the scorer of the winning goal of the 1992 European Cup final against Sampdoria, which gave Barcelona its only championship. Barca's keeper, Victor Valdes, praised Benfica and admitted they would present a challenge. Reuters.com quoted Valdes as saying, "Benfica are a strong and well-balanced team who played a very serious tie against Liverpool and didn't concede a goal against a very strong team."

In another battle of superpowers, French champions Olympique Lyonnais drew against last year's runners up and six-time winner, AC Milan. This is the first time these two teams have met, in what will be Lyon's third straight appearance in the quarter-finals. Lyon is coming off their convincing triumph of PSV Eindhoven in the Round of 16, hoping to keep their successes alive. Meanwhile, AC, having manufactured a level of dominance over German victors Bayern Munich, are looking to push past Lyon in what promises be a battle of attrition. Despite having Brazilian free kick master Juninho suspended for the first match, Milan spokesperson Umberto Gandini remained wary. "Lyon are a very good side with talented players. I don't think the absence of Juninho in the first leg will change anything," were his comments to Reuters.com.

The final match up has not been set in stone, however. Villareal, having dispatched of Scottish side Rangers, will remain unsure of their opponents until early next week. Since the Round of 16 tie between Inter Milan and Ajax is yet to be resolved, the Spanish side will be required to wait patiently and hope both sides tire each other out.

As well as the quarter-final draw, the semi-final draw was conducted in Paris as well. One semi-final will feature the winner of Arsenal v Juventus clashing with the victor of Villareal v either Inter Milan or Ajax. The other tantalizing semi-final well spotlight the winner of AC Milan v Lyon and Benfica v Barcelona. Quarter-final action will start on March 28/29, with the return leg coming on April 4/5. The semi-finals will commence April 18/19 with the return leg occurring April 25/26. All of this will set up the Champions League final, debuting May 17, in Paris.

[ Additional Sources: Reuters.com, BBC.com ]