Bayern Munich (Germany) will clash with Barcelona (Spain) while Borussia Dortmund (Germany) will do battle with Real Madrid (Spain) in the semi-finals of this year’s European Champions League, according to the draws just made in Switzerland by Europe’s football governing body, UEFA.
Reactions are already pouring in, the first two from Bayern Munich Chairman Karl Heinz Rummenigge. UEFA.com quotes the highly successful ex-international assaying:
“Barcelona are the benchmark for me in Europe. They have won the Champions League more than any other team in the recent years. They are the best team in Europe at the moment, with fantastic attacking potential.
We played them in 2009 and received a real thumping. I remember that game well and I don’t really like to think about it, because it was quite painful to watch. However, it’s a wonderful opportunity to show that we have improved a lot since then.
“I think we will see two very good games, played at the highest possible level. Furthermore, I think playing at home first is a slight advantage, contrary to the popular belief that it’s a disadvantage. We saw that against Juventus, where people said that it might be a disadvantage. But we produced a great performance at home and that set the stage for the return leg and our progression into the semi-finals. I’m really excited that we will get to play the best team in Europe. I still feel Barcelona are the big favourites to win the Champions League.”
Source News Express