Guardiola eager to avoid Milan

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says he would like to avoid AC Milan in the draw for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Guardiola’s side have already faced Milan twice in this season’s competition, having been placed in the same group as the Italian champions.

Barcelona got the better of Massimiliano Allegri’s side over the two matches, winning 3-2 at San Siro after being held to a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou.

“I would like to avoid Milan in the quarter-finals,” Guardiola told reporters.

“We have already played and they are one of the biggest clubs in Europe.”

“However, to reach the final in Munich, there is still so much to accomplish and above all, there remains the need to clash with the best.”

Barcelona booked their place in the last eight with a 10-2 aggregate demolition of Bayer Leverkusen, while Milan scraped past Arsenal 4-3 in their last-16 tie.