Nyon (Switzerland): Real Madrid’s path to another Champions League title will have to go through Chelsea in the quarterfinals for the second straight year. Friday’s draw takes Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti back to face his former club who were was eliminated by a goal from Karim Benzema in extra time a year ago. This time, the first leg between the past two Champions League winners will be in Madrid instead of London – April 11 or 12.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola also has a reunion with a former club. The English champions were drawn to face Bayern Munich, who have won all eight of their games in the competition this season and will play the first leg away from home. The winner between Manchester City and Bayern Munich will go on to play Real Madrid or Chelsea in the semifinals.
The other half of the draw is dominated by Italian clubs with the possibility of a Milan derby in the semifinals. AC Milan will first face Napoli, the runaway Serie A leader who are making their debut in the quarterfinals of the Champions League or the old European Cup. The first leg is at San Siro.
Inter Milan will play at Benfica in the first leg, returning to the country where they eliminated Porto in the round of 16. Inter is playing at this stage of the competition for the first time in 12 years, while Milan is ending an 11-year wait.
Six former champions who have combined for 34 titles in the 68-year history of Champions League were in the draw. Only Napoli and Manchester City are yet to be European champions.
The first legs of the Champions League will be played April 11 and 12. The return games are scheduled for April 18 and 19.
The semifinal of the Champions League will be played between May 9-17 and the final is set for June 10 at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul.