It could have been worse? No, probably not. In the draws for the quarter-finals of the Champions League Juventus, the only Italian team still in the running in Europe, draws the Barcelona of Messi and Neymar, fresh from the legendary "remuntada" against PSG. The first leg match against the blaugrana will take place at the Juventus Stadium on 11 April. The second leg will instead be played at the Camp Nou on 19 April.
“This match comes at the right time – he commented Pavel nedved – the team is constantly growing. The return to the Camp Nou? No matter where you play, both challenges will be difficult, as long as you are on top. We respect Barcelona, but without fear getting in the way".
The most beautiful stadiums, the plays of the champions, holding your breath for 180'. This is the Champions League. The charm goes beyond any fear: we'll be ready!
— Massimiliano Allegri (@OfficialAllegri) 17 March 2017
But Jordi Mestre, vice president of Barcelona, didn't spare himself a dig: "If I were Juve, I wouldn't be happy with the draw. Juve is a team that has a history, we won't find out today, they are doing well this season and not only: they are a competitive team, it will be a very interesting match. After the match against PSG anything can happen in the world of football, the fact that we are here proves it. One of our goals was to avoid the Spanish teams."
It will be a big challenge ???????? #UCLdraw #GO JUVE pic.twitter.com/hBKhblEeBV
- Claudio Marchisio (@ ClaMarchisio8) 17 March 2017
Nyon's urn also gives another quarter that is worth a final, the one between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, but also two much less prestigious challenges such as Atletico Madrid-Leicester e Borussia Dortmund-Munich.
In essence, the pairings were between the four strongest teams and the four least rated.
Here is the complete schedule for the Champions League quarter-finals.
Quarters, go
Tuesday April 11
Borussia Dortmund-Munich
Juventus-Barcelona
Wednesday April 12
Atletico Madrid v Leicester City
Bayern Munich-Real Madrid G
Quarters, back
Tuesday April 18
Leicester City vs Atletico Madrid
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
Wednesday April 19
Munich-Borussia Dortmund
Barcelona-Juventus
