Barcelona board member says he would've preferred if his team played Real Madrid in the Champions League
Barcelona board member, Javier Bordas, says Barcelona are unfortunate to play Atletico Madrid and would've preferred to play Real Madrid over two legs. The Catalans were drawn against Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals fo the UEFA Champions League earlier today.
Even though Barcelona have beaten Atletico Madrid in all of their last six meetings, Bordas thinks facing Real Madrid in a one-off match is a riskier prospect. Speaking to reporters after the UEFA Champions League draw, the Spaniard said, "They (Atletico Madrid) are a very tough team, the best defence around.
"But you know in quarters you will get a tough opponent. There were easier teams in the draw, but to win the CL you have to beat them all.
"Against Atletico everything is difficult. We know their defensive strength, they can hurt you too. They are the toughest opponent in the Spanish league."
The first game will be held on either April 5th or 6th at the Camp Nou which Bordas thinks is a disadvantage to his Barcelona team.
"It is always better to have the return game at home, but this is what we have now," Bordas added. "We first have to pass this round, then we will see who we will face.
"We would probably prefer to play Real Madrid over two games (rather than a one-off meeting in the final). But now we have Atletico."
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid representative, Clemente Villaverde, was glad that they're getting to play Barcelona and was proud of the fact that his team had made it this far and that there were three Spanish teams this late in the competition.
"The important thing is the chance to be here -- in the quarterfinals for three consecutive years," said Villaverde. "That is fundamental for us. Fortune has brought us Baca -- we will fight against them and show we are here for a reason.
"They are a great club, we have an exceptional relationship with them at all levels. There were three Spanish clubs in the draw, so always a chance that two might meet."
Barcelona have held the upper hand for all of their last six encounters against Atletico Madrid but the prospect of playing in the semi-finals and possibly the finals of the Champions League might wake something up within the Vincente Calderon squad.