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The Germany international will be absent for the last eight of the competition but hopes to return in time to play in the DFB-Pokal semi-final against Wolfsburg
Borussia Dortmund have confirmed that defender Marcel Schmelzer will be missing for up to a month with a groin injury, ruling him out of the Champions League quarter-finals.
The left-back sustained the injury in Dortmund's 2-1 defeat to Zenit in the last 16 on Wednesday, with BVB qualifying for the quarter-finals 5-4 on aggregate.
It is the second time this season that BVB have been without Schmelzer after the 26-year-old missed three weeks of action prior to Christmas with a calf strain.
His absence means Schmelzer is likely to miss games against Hannover, Schalke, VFB Stuttgart, Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich as well as the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
A statement on Dortmund's website said the Germany international is targeting a return for their DFB-Pokal semi-final clash with Wolfsburg on April 15.
Hummels: Bring on Chelsea, Barcelona or Manchester United
By Stefan Coerts
Mar 20, 2014 11:15:00 AM
The Germany international is happy to take on the Spanish champions or one of the two English representatives
Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels hopes to be paired with either Manchester United, Chelsea or Barcelona during Friday's draw for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The Bundesliga outfit beat Zenit St Petersburg 5-4 on aggregate to make it out of the round of 16 and Hummels is now eager to test himself against a team he has not faced before.
"I'd like to play against a team I haven't played against before in the quarters. Maybe Manchester United, Barcelona or Chelsea," Hummels told the official Uefa website.
"At the end of the day, though, it doesn't matter who we get – they're all going to be difficult."
Hummels then reflected on Wednesday's second-leg against Zenit and admitted that BVB struggled against the Russian side.
"We're obviously pleased to get through. It's difficult when you know a draw or even a defeat could be enough.
"Zenit were a lot better than they were in the first-leg [which they lost 4-2]. I thought Danny in particular had a good game.
"When we went 1-0 down I was thinking: 'Great, that's exactly what we didn't need,' but in the end it didn't matter. Our equaliser calmed us down a bit."
The 48-year-old is growing in confidence that his side are capable of winning the competition ahead of Friday's quarter-final draw
Laurent Blanc says Paris Saint-Germain's project is still under construction but admits their aim is to win the Champions League this season.
The Ligue 1 champions booked their place in the quarter-finals of the competition after beating Bayern Leverkusen over two legs in the last 16 and will learn of their last eight opponents at Friday's draw in Nyon.
"In the Champions League there are only great teams to play," said Blanc. "Real Madrid are in great form right now but so are many other sides.
"Our project is still under construction but our ambition is to win the Champions League."
The key to much of PSG's success has been the continued brilliance of star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has already scored 40 goals this season in all competitions.
And Blanc was quick to praise the 32-year-old for his ability to influence games and seize responsibility for deciding games time and again.
"Ibrahimovic scored a lot of goals at his previous clubs but the system we play here really suits him," said the former France coach.
"He is able to influence and guide a game and get on top of it. He is often the decisive factor."
PSG face Lorient on Friday night as they bid to extend their eight-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 and close in on a second successive title.
Dortmund wanted 'something different', admits Watzke after Real Madrid draw
Mar 21, 2014 1:00:00 PM
The BVB chief admits the Bundesliga side would have liked to avoid the side they overcame in the last four of last season's premier club cup competition
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke conceded the Bundesliga club would have preferred “something different” after being paired with Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
BVB beat los Blancos in the semis last season before going on to lose the tournament decider to Bayern Munich at Wembley.
But with the current Dortmund side devastated by injuries, Watzke was downbeat at Friday’s draw in Nyon.
“We would have liked something different,” he told Sky Sports.
“We played Real four times last year but we take it as it is. We look forward to meeting probably the biggest club in the world again.”
Striker Robert Lewandowski scored all four goals as Dortmund thrashed Madrid 4-1 in the first leg of last year's semi-final last April but will miss this year's trip to the Santiago Bernabeu due to suspension.
His absence, plus injuries to Jakub Blaszczykowski, Lars Bender, Ilkay Gundogan, Marcel Schmelzer, Nevan Subotic and Marco Reus and the departure of Mario Gotze to Bayern, mean it will be a very different side taking on Carlo Ancelotti’s men this time round.
Watzke added: “Our problem is half the team that defeated Real last year will not be there.”
Madrid want to take advantage of Lewandowski absence, says Butragueno
By Stefan Coerts
Mar 21, 2014 12:08:00 PM
The former Blancos star believes the prolific striker's suspensiion could play a key role, but warned that BVB should not be underestimated by Carlo Ancelotti's men
Real Madrid director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueno is hopeful the Santiago Bernabeu side can take advantage of Robert Lewandowski's absence in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Borussia Dortmund.
The Poland international netted all of Dortmund's four goals in their 4-1 win in the second leg of the semi-final of last year's edition of the competition, but will miss the first leg at the Bernabeu due to suspension after picking up a yellow card against Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday.
"The fact that they will be without Lewandowski in the first leg could have a negative impact on their game," Butragueno told reporters.
"Hopefully we can take advantage of his absence at the Bernabeu.
"We played Dortmund four times last season and they were very strong. I know they're not doing so well in the league this season, but we're aware they're still going to be a very difficult team to beat.
"There were stronger teams out there, but nobody wanted to be paired with Bayern. Our goal is to qualify for the semi-finals and we will see what happens."
The first leg at the Bernabeu is scheduled to take place on April 2.
United tie a 'great draw', says Bayern Munich ace Robben
Mar 21, 2014 12:27:00 PM
The Dutchman was in bullish mood after the reigning European champions were drawn against the struggling Red Devils - but says David Moyes' men remain a "very good team"
Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben believes being paired with Manchester United in the Champions League quarter-finals represents a “great draw” for the holders.
The runaway Bundesliga leaders visit Old Trafford in the first leg on April 1 before the return at the Allianz Arena a week later.
Robben, who scored the winner in last season’s final victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, was in a confident mood after learning of Bayern's next assignment.
“It is a great draw,” he told Sky Sports News. “I look forward to these matches.
“We play away from home in the first leg. That is an advantage.
“Manchester is not in the best shape. But it still is a very good team.”
Bayern skipper Philipp Lahm was more circumspect and insisted they will not be fooled by United’s domestic struggles when they face David Moyes’ side.
United are languishing in seventh place in the Premier League in what has been a difficult season but Lahm is still expecting a tough tie.
The Germany full-back said: “We should not be blinded by the standings in England. We have to perform well in both matches. Then we'll have a good chance to progress to the semi-finals.
“We are the holders and we are the favorites in these kind of matches.”
The Catalans' director of football said that every team would have made for a tough opponent but that at least they know the Rojiblancos well
Andoni Zubizarreta says Barcelona cannot be disappointed with their Champions League quarter-final draw after being paired with Atletico Madrid.
The former Blaugrana goalkeeper, who now seves as the club's director of football, says that any tie would have been tough but is buoyed by the fact that at last Tata Martino's men are very familiar with the Rojiblancos, whom they have already faced three times this season.
"With this draw and the teams entering into the draw, I do not know if any of us would change our opponents," Zubizarreta mused.
"I don't know if any teams would exchange for Atletico, as they are one of the most powerful teams at home.
"But when playing against a team from the same domestic league you're at least used to playing in the stadium, both for them in Camp Nou and us at the Calderon."
The 52-year-old believes that Barca have already shown their European mettle in overcoming Manchester City in the round of 16, and he remains confident that the four-time winners can reach another Champions League final.
"When we met City, we knew it was the most difficult tie," he added. "But the next two months is when everything will be decided.
"It's a long and sustained sprint, and we want to reach the finish line in good condition."
The Catalans face domestic rivals Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday and Zubizarreta is hopeful that, whatever the result in the capital, his team can gain a springboard ahead of the Atleti clashes.
"I do not know if the Clasico will have an influence or not on the Champions League matches but we will try to emerge stronger from this game," he stated.
Barcelona will host Atleti in the first leg on April 1, with the return at the Vicente Calderon taking place eight days later.
The defender is excited at the prospect of facing several international team-mates in the quarter-finals of the Champions League
Thiago Silva says he cannot wait to lock horns with four of his Brazil team-mates in the Champions League quarter-finals after Paris Saint-Germain were paired with Chelsea.
Friday's draw means Silva will come up against fellow Selecao stars David Luiz, Willian, Oscar and Ramires in what promises to be a mouth-watering last-eight tie.
"I'm happy because Chelsea has many Brazilian players," he told reporters. "I look forward to it! It will be a great duel between two great clubs.
"I hope that unlike last season we will reach the semi-finals. The quarter-finals are all difficult and we hope the second leg will not be decisive."
PSG chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc was present at the draw in Nyon and said the Ligue 1 champions are full of respect for Jose Mourinho's side.
"I think there are eight very big teams in the quarter-finals. Chelsea is a big team but there is no side easier than any other. We are respectful of this team, they have great players, a great coach, but so do we."
Laurent Blanc's men will host Chelsea in the first leg on April 1/2, with the second leg at Stamford Bridge scheduled for April 8 or 9.
The Frenchman feels his side were affected by talk of their Champions League quarter-final opponents ahead of Friday's scrappy game against Lorient
Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc feels media focus on their Champions League clash with Chelsea has affected his players.
The sides will meet in the last-eight of the competition after being drawn together on Friday - hours before PSG continued their march to the Ligue 1 title with a scrappy 1-0 win over Lorient.
Although PSG lead Monaco by 11 points, with Claudio Ranieri's men playing Lille on Sunday evening, Blanc has warned his squad not to take anything for granted.
He also believes interest in the tie with Chelsea proved an unwelcome distraction ahead of the Lorient game.
"I would say the players weren't thinking about Chelsea but all the journalists we came across talked only about that and it made it difficult to think about Lorient," he said.
"We've done really good things since the start of the season but we've won nothing yet."
Monaco can close the gap between themselves and PSG to eight points with victory on Sunday, as they look to keep their faint title hopes alive.
Although his side were not at their best against Lorient, Blanc was pleased to see PSG return to the capital with three points.
"We can't expect to win every game three, four or five-nil. We got the win though and I need to congratulate my players, even if they weren't extraordinary," he added.
"We need to keep improving on our records and I hope we'll win trophies come the end of the season."
UEFA have ordered the partial closure of the Allianz Arena following the display of controversial banners by Bayern Munich fans.
The signs were displayed by home fans during the second leg of Bayern's UEFA Champions League tie with Arsenal on March 11, which saw the German outfit progress 3-1 on aggregate.
One crudely made banner depicted a man in an Arsenal away strip bent over in front of a cannon and was emblazoned with the words "Gay Gunners", while another read "Say no to racism, say yes to Kosovo" in reference to a campaign to have the territory officially recognised by FIFA.
UEFA have now ordered the closure of sector 124 at the Allianz Arena for the second leg of Bayern's Champions League quarter-final tie against Manchester United on April 9.
The Bundesliga leaders have also been fined €10,000 for the incident.
Citing the "discriminatory behaviour of Bayern supporters" and "the displaying of an illicit banner", a UEFA statement read: "The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has decided to order the partial closure of the Football Arena Munchen.
"In particular, the closure of sector 124 for Bayern's next UEFA competition home match, namely their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester United FC on 9 April."
Mourinho can handle Paris Saint-Germain, says Hazard
By Chris Davie
Mar 24, 2014 9:38:00 PM
The Belgian believes the Ligue 1 champions have a similar playing style to Arsenal and believes that they can enjoy success against Laurent Blanc's men by pressing high
Eden Hazard believes Jose Mourinho "is strong enough" to guide Chelsea past Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League quarter-final tie.
After eliminating Galatasaray in the round of 16, the Blues travel to France for their first leg next Wednesday, before hosting the Ligue 1 champions in the return fixture on April 8.
Hazard, who has scored 16 goals in all competitions this season, also feels PSG's playing style is similar to that of Premier League rivals Arsenal - whom the Blues routed 6-0 on Saturday.
"I think the coach is strong enough to handle these kind of matches. We must be strong defensively," the Belgian told Canal+.
"We know Paris like to play as Arsenal: Paris play good football; Paris dominate their matches. But if we press them ..."
When it came to naming PSG's best player, Hazard argued that while there is one obvious answer to that question, Laurent Blanc's side is packed with world-class talent.
"Who impresses me the most? Ibra [Zlatan Ibrahimovic], of course," the winger enthused.
"But Thiago Motta is also a great player. Yohan [Cabaye] is part of the great players, [Edinson] Cavani also, and their defence is tough."
Huntelaar: Bayern-Real Madrid would be an exciting tie
Mar 26, 2014 11:03:00 AM
The Dutch striker believes a meeting of the sides in the Champions League would be a tantalising prospect and says Arjen Robben and Co. fully deserve their Bundesliga title
EXCLUSIVE
By Guus Hetterscheid
Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar says he would relish the chance to see Bayern Munich face Real Madrid in this season's Champions League.
Madrid take on Borussia Dortmund in their quarter-final tie after demolishing Schalke in the last 16, while Bayern will face Manchester United after seeing off Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate.
Huntelaar, who played for los Blancos in 2009 and scored a sublime volley in their 9-2 aggregate loss this season, believes a meeting of Pep Guardiola's side and Carlo Ancelotti's Liga giants would prove tantalising.
"It's hard to say who's better," he told Goal. "But I think the midfield of Bayern is stronger then the one of Real.
"It would be exciting to see them battle in the Champions League. Real is very quick with counterattacks and Bayern always want to dominate the game. But they first have to deal with Dortmund and Man United."
Bayern clinched the Bundesliga title in record time with their 3-1 win over Hertha Berlin on Tuesday and Huntelaar admits the Bavarians fully deserved their title - although he hinted at their transfer policy of signing players from their rivals as an important aspect of their success.
"Bayern deserved the championship, that's clear. They have won so many games and with a lot of goals," he said. "They play a very attacking style and their movement over the pitch is great. That makes them great. And also they have the possibilities to get the best players from other German clubs.
"No I won't send a text message to Arjen [Robben]. I will congratulate him when we see each other at the [Netherlands] national team. I am not surprised that Bayern are champions. They are by far the best team this season in the Bundesliga."
Huntelaar played in Schalke's 0-0 derby draw with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, but the 30-year-old admits that El Clasico remains the finest rivalry in the game.
"Every derby is special, especially the atmosphere on the stands," added the former Ajax striker. "Every culture has its own way of showing passion. AC Milan-Inter was the most 'explosive' atmosphere, a real mediterranean temper.
"In Germany there is also a lot of emotion, just like in Spain, but over there there are always a lot of families in the stadium.
"But El Clasico is very special because of the atmosphere. I have watched that game on Sunday [Barcelona's 4-3 win]. I was supporting Real, but I also just enjoyed the football. I watched as football fan. It was a great game."
Bayern favourites for Champions League, insists Hitzfeld
By Peter McVitie
Mar 27, 2014 12:35:00 AM
The Switzerland boss says Pep Guardiola has advanced the team and described the Bavarians' performances this season as "sensational"
Former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has praised Pep Guardiola and his team for their title victory and has every confidence they can go on to defend their Champions League title.
The Bavarians clinched the Bundesliga trophy on Tuesday as they defeated Hertha Berlin 3-1, becoming the earliest champions in the history of the German top flight.
Hitzfeld, the current Switzerland coach, is in awe of the team and their coach Pep Guardiola and tipped them to go on and become the first team to retain the top European prize in its modern incarnation.
"It is always sensational when a team gets to break such records," he told RMC Sport. "No team have been champions so early in the season.
"This is a sensational performance from Bayern. Pep Guardiola has made them even better - a coach who had already won everything.
"For me, Bayern are the favourites for the Champions League."
Bayern are back in action on Saturday against Hoffenheim with pride to play for and further records to grab in the Bundesliga.
Vidal: I'm staying at Juventus to win the Champions League
By Joe Wright
Mar 26, 2014 12:44:00 PM
The Chile international claims he is happy to ignore the "sirens in Spain" after being linked with both Barcelona and Real Madrid this season
Arturo Vidal has revealed he will stay at Juventus in order to fulfil his promise of delivering the Champions League trophy to Turin.
The 26-year-old has been in superb form for the Bianconeri this season, scoring 18 times in all competitions for the Italian champions, and speculation has mounted that both Barcelona and Real Madrid have identified the Chilean as a priority transfer target this summer.
Vidal, however, says he is happy to ignore the "sirens" calling him from Spain as he is determined to win Europe's top prize with Antonio Conte's side.
"I don't listen to the sirens in Spain, and my family is happy in Turin. I've repeated it several times: I'm happy here," he told FourFourTwo.
"I'm staying at Juventus because president Andrea Agnelli has asked me for the Champions League."
Juve are closing in on their third-straight Serie A title and are in the quarter-finals of the Europa League after suffering a disappointing group-stage exit in this season's Champions League.
Manchester United have no chance against Bayern - McManaman
By Alec Fenn
Mar 26, 2014 2:15:00 PM
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid winger believes the Premier League champions will have their work cut out against the Bavarians in Europe
Steve McManaman says Manchester United have "no chance" of beating Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The reigning Premier League champions were paired with Pep Guardiola's side in last Friday's draw, with the Bavarians firm favourites to advance against a United side enduring the most torrid of campaigns.
David Moyes's men squeezed past Olympiakos in the last 16 courtesy of a 3-2 aggregate victory but are sat seventh in the Premier League table following Tuesday's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
And McManaman, who played for United's arch-rivals Liverpool before winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, fully expects Bayern to breeze into the semi-finals.
"Can United beat Bayern? No, they have no chance," he said. "Bayern Munich have an amazing team - they're over 50 games unbeaten which is an incredible record. They are the favourites for the Champions League."
The 42-year-old then gave his thoughts on the race for La Liga following Barcelona's 4-3 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Sunday.
"The result of the Clasico is great news for La Liga because there are now three teams in with a chance of winning the title," McManaman added.
"When I see Diego Simeone with Atletico Madrid I see real possibilities, he is doing a perfect job."
The former France international is full of respect for the Portuguese but fully expects to be on the receiving end of some snide comments in the coming days
Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc is looking to ignore Jose Mourinho ahead of his side's Champions League with Chelsea clash next week.
The French champions are seeking to reach the last four of the competition but face a daunting meeting with the Premier League leaders in the quarter-finals.
And, despite his respect for Mourinho's achievements throughout his career, Blanc says that big talk is a big part of the Portuguese's reportoire.
"Mourinho will talk and comment; that's how he functions," the PSG coach told a press conference.
"He's very clever and very professional. I have a lot of respect for him. He's a great coach who has won nearly everything.
"I know him very well because he was on Bobby Robson's coaching staff when I played for Barcelona.
"I know he will prepare well for this match with us because he is a very professional coach.
"We mustn't underestimate Chelsea. But like I have already said, they are no stronger or weaker than when the draw came out. They are a great side and they proved it last week with that big win over Arsenal."
Meanwhile, Blanc has confirmed that captain Thiago Silva should be fit to face Chelsea, despite fracturing his cheekbone earlier this month.
"Thiago Silva is fine," he declared. "It's up to him to decide if he wants to play with or without a mask.
"If he decides to play with a mask, we have to ask Uefa for permission to wear it against Chelsea."
Mourinho fearful of Ibrahimovic's Champions League pursuit
By Ewan Roberts
Mar 27, 2014 6:49:00 PM
The Portuguese worked with the striker at Inter and expects him to be fired up to win the Champions League against his side in the quarter-finals
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic's desire to lift the Champions League makes him Paris Saint-Germain's biggest threat ahead of their quarter-final tie.
The 32-year-old played under the Portuguese at Inter, but joined Barcelona ahead of the 2009-10 season – the same year in which Mourinho led the Nerazzurri to European glory.
Despite being on course to collect an 11th career league title with PSG this season (including the Serie A medals that were revoked due to the Calciopoli scandal), the Sweden international has yet to prevail in the Champions League.
And Mourinho, whose Chelsea side face the French giants in the last eight of the tournament, expects Ibrahimovic to be extra-motivated to at last claim silverware in Europe's premier club competition.
"I worked with [Thiago] Motta, Maxwell and Zlatan [Ibrahimovic]. They were with me during the historic treble," he told RMC.
"But Zlatan is a special player, who has won all the championships and he wants to win the Champions League now. It is a dream for him and he will do anything to accomplish it, which will make him even more dangerous."
Mourinho is not taking the threat of PSG lightly and argues that the capital club's healthy 10-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 gives them an advantage, with Chelsea locked in a three-way battle for the Premier League title that looks set to go down to the wire.
"Paris is a team with very good players. Paris is already a champion and this is an important advantage," he added. "They already think about Chelsea and not Nice [on Friday].
"For us, it is different in the Premier League. All matches are a final for us. Against Crystal Palace [on Saturday] it will be a final.
"Paris is the favorite thanks to this small advantage. They have no experience in the Champions League but have quality players. They have an outstanding attack and this is very important.
"But the history of Chelsea in the Champions League can help us. We are not under pressure. This scenario does not bother me, it suits me. I do not want to be misinterpreted and people say I'm arrogant. It will be 50-50."
The title-winning boss was delighted with his charges after their league triumph but wants them to improve their record in Europe
Celtic boss Neil Lennon wants the club to start competing in Europe after sealing their third straight Scottish Premiership title.
The Parkhead outfit clinched another league crown with a 5-1 thumping of Partick Thistle on Wednesday, but have consistently struggled to progress in the Champions League.
Celtic have never made it beyond the round of 16 of Europe's premier club competition since the inception of its current format in 1992 - and Lennon feels that has to change.
"Now we are stamping our authority on the game in Scotland and want to take it further," he told BBC Scotland.
"We want to take it into Europe. There's room for improvement obviously - there are other competitions we want to look at and strive forward in.
"But it is in our DNA as a club to win championships and, since I've been involved in the club, that's nine in 14 years.
"It was our priority and we wanted to improve on last year. This is unquestionably the best league campaign I've had as a manager.
"We are the title favourites every season, but we've been emphatic this year."
