English duo set for Euro clash

Chelsea and Liverpool are on course to meet for a place in the Champions League final in Athens on May 23.But the Premiership giants will only be able to renew their rivalry in European club football's most prestigious competition if they come through the quarter-finals.Jose Mourinho's Blues have been paired with Valencia while Rafael Benitez's men's reward for knocking out holders Barcelona is a clash with Arsenal's last-16 conquerors PSV Eindhoven.Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon is relieved that the Blues will not face English opposition in the last eight: "The draw keeps the English teams away from each other until the next round. It's good for the teams in it and for the competition."I guess the only thing you would say is you would rather be at home in the second leg but at this stage you've got to go with the draw. Overall we're happy with the draw. "Meanwhile, Manchester United will face either AC Milan or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals providing that they can overcome AS Roma in the last eight - the Red Devils, like Liverpool, have the advantage of playing the second leg of their quarter-finals at home.It is only the second time Sir Alex Ferguson's men have reached the last eight of the competition since they last won it in 1999 and the Scot is looking forward to taking on Roma.The United boss said: "We have never played Roma before, so it is new. That is the great excitement in Europe. You play teams you have never played before."We respect their last result. They have some great players like De Rossi and Mancini. Obviously we do not look beyond this game. We must concentrate on this game and we are looking forward to it."The first leg of quarter-finals will be played on April 3 and 4 with the returns the following week. The semi-finals are scheduled to take place on April 24 and 25 with the second legs the first week of May.© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

ITN | March 9, 2007

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