The Catalan media are, on the whole, pleased with Friday’s draw for the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Bacelona have been draw against Arsenal, with the first leg in London and the return leg in the Camp Nou.
If, as expected, they get past Arsenal then Barca will face either Inter Milan or CSKA Moscow in the semifinals — with the second leg again at home.
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“This is quite a good draw,” was the comment on Barcelona radio station Radio Rambla.
“Barca have avoided Manchester United, and will play the return legs at home in both the quarter and semifinals.” Radio Rambla added that “it will be interesting to see how (Arsenal captain) Cesc Fabregas will play against Brca.” Barca are reported to be keen to sign Fabregas — who started his career in the club’s famed youth sections — in the summer.
An online poll taken by daily paper Sport shows that 64 per cent of Barca fans are pleased with the draw.
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A similar poll taken by rival daily Mundo Deportivo reveals that no less that 86 per cent of readers believe that Barca will knock out Arsenal.
Barca defeated the Gunners 2-1 in the 2006 Champions League final in Paris.
Pep Guardiola’s team cruised into the quarters on Wednesday by thrashing Vfb Stuttgart 4-0, with two more goals from FIFA World Player Lionel Messi.
They are aiming to be the first team for 20 years (AC Milan in 1989 and 1990) to win back-to-back titles.