There was relief all round in Spain as La Liga's big two
were kept apart at Friday morning's Champions League
draw in Nyon, with Barcelona drawn against Bayern
Munich, and Real Madrid to face Borussia Dortmund, in
two mouth-watering Spanish v German semi-final ties.
Bayern were the first team drawn, with Barcelona
following them out of the pot setting up a first leg in
Munich in two weeks' time with the return game at the
Camp Nou a week later.
Barca's game against Bayern, who will be coached from
next season by former Barca boss Josep Guardiola,
would be a clash of footballing styles, predicted
Barcelona's football sporting director Andoni
Zubizarreta.
"I believe this is a great tie, all the four teams are great
teams," Zubizarreta said. "They are a great team, a
great club. We will try and play our football, it will be a
mix of styles. I hope we get back to playing the way we
like, and to make it to [Wembley], a place which is
magical for us."
Ex-Madrid striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy then paired
Madrid with Dortmund, with Jose Mourinho's side
having the second game at home at their Estadio
Santiago Bernabeu. The sides met at this stage in
1997/98, when then holders Dortmund were eliminated
by Madrid, who went on to win their seventh European
Cup that season, with current Bayern boss Jupp
Heynckes then Blancos coach.
Madrid's director institutional relations Emilio
Butragueno said he hoped his team would improve on
their group meetings earlier this season, when
Dortmund won 2-1 at home and drew 2-2 at the
Bernabeu.
"We have played them twice already this season and
were not able to beat them," Butragueno said. "But we
believe this time around we will be able to do it, and
make it to Wembley."
Dortmund CEO Aki Watzke, meanwhile, told Sky: "We
are happy with the draw. I feel sorry for Uli Hoeness for
not having drawn the weakest opponent". A response
to commments Hoeness had made earlier in the week
that Dortmund would represent the easiest route to the
final for Bayern.
The games will be played Tuesday April 23 and
Wednesday 24, with the return games the following
week - April 30 and May 1. The final takes place at
Wembley on Saturday May 25, when the winners of
semi-final 2 [Dortmund or Madrid] will be the
designated 'home' side.
Van Nistelrooy also used the occasion to say he felt for
another of his former sides - Malaga - who were
eliminated from the competition in heartbreaking and
controversial style by Dortmund on Tuesday.
"I am still a bit sad for my Malaga not to be there," the
Dutchman said. "It was such a harsh way to go out. I
want to tell them I am so proud of them."


Source
www.soccernet.com

I see madrid barca @ the finals just has uefa has always wanted it to be wat a permutation