Joy for Germany?

There will be no English teams involved, but the Champions League quarter-finals should still be cracking affairs.

Last Updated: 15/03/13 at 15:49 Post Comment

Nine-time winners Real Madrid, who deposed of Manchester United in the previous round, were pitted against reigning Turkish titlists Galatasaray in Friday's draw, while fellow Spanish heavyweights Barcelona were handed a meeting with French outfit Paris Saint-Germain.

2012 runners-up Bayern Munich, meanwhile, will contest a clash with current Serie A kings Juventus after seeing off Arsenal in the last 16, and Malaga, making their maiden appearance in the quarter-finals of Europe's premier club competition, will battle Borussia Dortmund.

Cick here for further details of the quarter-final matches

Former England manager Steve McClaren watched the draw unfold in the Sky Sports News studio alongside Ray Wilkins and David Ginola, and each man revealed how they expect April's highly-anticipated duels to play out...

Steve McClaren

"German football is always efficient but they have developed young players who can play football and centre-backs - particularly Mats Hummels at Dortmund and Dante at Bayern Munich - who can initiate attacks by going into midfield and making the extra man, and they have done that whilst keeping their organisation. Dortmund are probably the most improved team in Europe over the last two or three years; I know their manager (Jurgen Klopp) and they will be the fittest of the eight quarter-finalists and I expect them to get through against Malaga. Bayern versus Juventus will be a great football game, too; it will be very open but Bayern have a great chance, so we could have two German sides and two Spanish ones in the last four. I do worry about Barcelona, though, because they have to be put in a corner before they come out and show their qualities - but if they re-find their work ethic after their scare against AC Milan, they should be unstoppable."

Ray Wilkins

"The tie that stands out for me is Paris Saint-Germain against Barcelona. It will be vitally important that Paris win the first leg at home, because we saw what Barcelona did to AC Milan in midweek. They played like they were from a different planet and the young man Lionel Messi was back to his best, so while Paris were my outsiders (to win the title) they have probably been handed the worst draw. Juventus have great defensive qualities and will fancy themselves to do something special in Munich, though we know Bayern have the attacking flair to do well away, as we saw against Arsenal. There are some cracking ties and it would be just like Didier Drogba to kick Jose Mourinho in the teeth when Galatasaray play Real Madrid. He played exceptionally against Schalke, while the Turkish side also have Wesley Sneijder and Burak Yilmaz, so from an offensive side they have some exceptional players - but can they do the other side of the game well enough?"

David Ginola

"PSG haven't played at this level of the competition for 18 years but they beat Barcelona that time, so I hope it will be a good sign! I think David Beckham can play a role if he is fit, something, having spoken to him, I know he is concerned about, as there is no doubt that despite being 37 years of age he can still play football. He might not play every game but he can come on for 20 or 30 minutes and add his experience and maturity, something PSG need. Ezequiel Lavezzi has been a different player over the last two months for PSG, too; he was struggling but is now scoring important goals. Plus, in the middle of the park, Blaise Matuidi is brilliant; he can win the ball, pass, score, he has got everything. Paris can lose games to teams at the bottom of the table in Ligue 1, but can beat Porto and Valencia in the Champions League and seem better suited to Europe. I think they can challenge Barcelona, but playing at the Camp Nou second makes it tough."

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