Champions League

Luis Enrique: 'We did not want Atletico Madrid'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 19 March 2016

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique concedes that he would rather have avoided Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has admitted that he did not want his team to draw Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Friday afternoon.

The Catalan outfit will continue their pursuit of another European crown with a last-eight two-legged affair against Atletico, who sneaked past PSV Eindhoven in the last round.

"You are bound to meet a tough opponent like Atletico Madrid when you reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League," Enrique told reporters.

"Nobody wanted to play against a team from the same country, but I reckon it was inevitable because we have so many good Spanish teams. I think it can be a positive that we know Atletico very well. Both teams have no surprises for each other.

"Of course, we were hoping for an easier opponent, but you will have to beat all rivals if you are to win the Champions League. All that matters is making it to the final."

Atletico overcame Barcelona when the pair met at the quarter-final stage of the 2013-14 tournament.