Sunday, March 23, 2014

Can Bayern make Euro history?

All eight teams will be hoping to lift the European Champions League trophy in Lisbon in May.
All eight teams will be hoping to lift the European Champions League trophy in Lisbon in May.
  • Bayern Munich will play Manchester United in the Champions League quarterfinal
  • Four-time champions Barcelona face Atletico Madrid in an all-Spanish tie
  • Real Madrid drawn against Borussia Dortmund in a repeat of last year's semifinal
  • Jose Mourinho's Chelsea go up against Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain

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(CNN) -- The two teams contested one of the most dramatic matches in football history, and now Bayern Munich and Manchester United will meet again in the quarterfinals of the European Champions League.

Bayern are looking to become the first team to defend the Champions League title, as Josep Guardiola's all-conquering squad attempts to reassert its dominance at home and abroad.

The five-time European champions are on the verge of wrapping up the German title. Bayern will wrap up a Bundesliga triumph this weekend if they win and Borussia Dortmund and Schalke fail to.

Manchester United manager David Moyes got much needed relief after his team beat Olympiacos 3-0 to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals. Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick for United, which trailed 2-0 after the first leg. Manchester United manager David Moyes got much needed relief after his team beat Olympiacos 3-0 to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals. Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick for United, which trailed 2-0 after the first leg.
Van Persie got the ball rolling for United when he drilled home a penalty in the 25th minute. Van Persie got the ball rolling for United when he drilled home a penalty in the 25th minute.
The Dutchman celebrated with teammates when he made it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time. The Dutchman celebrated with teammates when he made it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time.
Van Persie completed his hat-trick on a free kick early in the second half. Van Persie completed his hat-trick on a free kick early in the second half.
Not for the first time this season, Sir Alex Ferguson -- the man Moyes replaced -- was in attendance at Old Trafford. Not for the first time this season, Sir Alex Ferguson -- the man Moyes replaced -- was in attendance at Old Trafford.
Sebastian Kehl scored for Borussia Dortmund as the 2013 finalist advanced past Zenit St. Petersburg in the other Champions League game. Dortmund lost 2-1 Wednesday but went through 5-4 on aggregate. Sebastian Kehl scored for Borussia Dortmund as the 2013 finalist advanced past Zenit St. Petersburg in the other Champions League game. Dortmund lost 2-1 Wednesday but went through 5-4 on aggregate.
Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller could do nothing, however, on Hulk's stunning opening goal in Germany. Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller could do nothing, however, on Hulk's stunning opening goal in Germany.
Platini: Goal line technology too expensive

But to stand any chance of retaining their continental title, Bayern must beat the team that inflicted one of the German club's most painful defeats in the final of this competition 15 years ago.

United won the Champions League in 1999 by scoring two goals in injury time to beat Bayern 2-1, but such halcyon days are in stark contrast to the club's current predicament.

Manager David Moyes has struggled to get the best out of his team since replacing Alex Ferguson, the Scottish coach who masterminded United's win in 1999 and also its Champions League final victory over Chelsea in 2008 as well guiding the club to 13 English league titles before retiring in May 2013.

Moyes' team sits seventh in the Premier League table, quite a fall from grace for a team that lifted the English championship last season.

Read: Finally David Moyes can smile...

Friday's draw in Switzerland also threw together Spanish title rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Barca's modern Champions League history is formidable, with the Catalans lifting European football's most prestigious trophy in 2006, 2009 and 2011. Barca won their first European Cup in 1992.

But in the Spanish league Barca sit in third position, behind second-placed Atletico.

Diego Simeone's team has caught the eye this season, disrupting the Spanish duopoly of Barca and Real Madrid through exciting play and the goals of striker Diego Costa.

For Real it's a rerun of last season's semifinal against Borussia Dortmund.

The German team stunned Real by destroying the nine-time European champions 4-1 in the first leg. Dortmund prevailed 4-3 on aggregate before losing to Bayern in the final.

Former Real coach Jose Mourinho will pit his Chelsea team against Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain. Mourinho is looking to win the tournament with a third club after triumphs with Porto in 2004 and Inter in 2010.

PSG will be relying on the mercurial talents of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has scored 10 goals in seven Champions League appearances this season, while former Chelsea defender Alex also plays for the Parisian club.

European Champions League quarterfinal draw:

Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Chelsea

Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich

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