Clubs tip All-English classic

Chelsea’s David Barnard believes a quarter-final against Manchester United could become another classic all-English Champions League clash.

West London club Chelsea have experienced some memorable European encounters with Premier League opposition, including a 7-5 aggregate win over Liverpool in 2009.

They will now take on United in a last eight re-match of the 2008 Moscow final, which Chelsea lost on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

“Obviously we’ve got a great rivalry with Manchester United on the domestic scene,” club secretary Barnard said.

“But when it comes to the Champions League we’re experienced in playing other English clubs like Liverpool, we’ve played them four times, we’ve played Arsenal in a quarter-final.”

“But the Champions League is different to the domestic, believe it or not. The atmosphere, the organisation … so those games are going to be special.”

“The law of averages says that we were going to come up against an English side at some point. We have the opportunity hopefully to do away with the English club early doors.”

Barnard’s Manchester United counterpart John Alexander admitted his side might have preferred to avoid domestic opposition.

“I think from the English teams’ perspective it would have been nice to avoid each other,” Alexander said.

“But having said that it’s an opportunity for an English club to take a step towards a Wembley final, we hope that it’s going to be Manchester United on this occasion.”

“It’s what Manchester United is all about, we like to be in the big competitions as long as we can.”

“We like to be in them and we tend to thrive on the bigger games and we look forward to it.”

Gary Lineker – official ambassador for the 2011 Wembley final – chose Real Madrid against his former club Tottenham Hotspur as the pick of the draw.

“Spurs – Real Madrid … is a very tasty looking game, two sides who love to entertain,” Lineker said.

“A thrilling night for Tottenham fans you’d think.”

“I don’t think the Spurs faithful will be overly impressed with what I pulled out … certainly a tough track to final.”

“If they get through they face Barcelona in the semi-finals, but that is what European football is all about.”

“It’s the big time and i’m sure the Spurs fans will love their trip to Madrid and certainly the home game against Real.”