Real Madrid to play Bayern in Champions League quarters

NYON, SWITZERLAND: Holders Real Madrid will face their former coach Carlo Ancelotti’s Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals as Juventus were drawn on Friday against comeback kings Barcelona.

English champions Leicester play their first quarter-finals in the top-tier European competition against Atletico Madrid as France’s Monaco clash with Borussia Dortmund over two legs in April. Ancelotti, who led 11-time winners Real to their 10th CL title in 2014, was looking forward to a special tie.

“It is going to be exciting to play against them. We are very confident and want to win the Champions League this season,” said Ancelotti, who also won the European title twice with AC Milan.

“I think we have the ability to beat Real Madrid.”

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was relishing a ‘classic’ as his five-time winners target more than just a sixth straight semi-final appearance.

“This is a classic, which is probably the absolute top draw that lay in the pot,” said the former Germany striker.

“All football fans in the world can look forward to it.”

Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno, however, appeared downcast. “It is one of the worst draws we could have got without a doubt but it is also for them,” said Butragueno.

“We would have liked to have faced them further on in the competition,” the former Spanish international said.