CHELSEA DRAW BENFICA, BARCA v MILAN
Chelsea will face Benfica in the Champions League quarter-finals, while holders Barcelona lock horns with AC Milan in a blockbusting last-eight showdown.
Roberto Di Matteo's Blues were paired with the Portuguese giants in Friday morning's draw in Nyon.
Barca meanwhile will face Arsenal's conquerors Milan in a mouthwatering confrontation for the right to meet Benfica or Chelsea in the semis.
Surprise package APOEL Nicosia get the reward of a quarter-final with the mighty Real Madrid for making it through to the last eight.
The winner of that tie will face either German giants Bayern Munich or French side Marseille, who clash in the other quarter-final.
The draw keeps alive the tantalising prospect of Chelsea facing their former boss Jose Mourinho in the final in Munich.
Chelsea's chief executive Ron Gourlay claimed it was a decent draw for the club, especially with the second leg being played at Stamford Bridge.
He told uefa.com: "It's a good one for us but it doesn't matter who you get at this stage. It was important to get the away game first and hopefully we can build the foundation from there. We're pleased.
"Ramires and David Luiz will know a lot about Benfica - we also know a lot about them because they topped Manchester United's group."
Despite facing the competition's underdogs in the next round, Real club director Emiliano Butragueno is not prepared to underestimate Apoel.
"We have to be extremely respectful," he told Sky Sports.
"Of course on paper there were stronger teams that Apoel, but it is the quarter-finals and they are a very strong team."
Butragueno also refused to address the prospect of a Real-Barca final.
"The final is too far ahead," he said. "We have to be very focused on the next game and try to reach the semi-finals.
"That will be a difficult tie according to the draw. After that, if we are lucky enough to reach the final then we'll think about it."
Quarter-finals
APOEL v Real Madrid
Marseille v Bayern Munich
Benfica v Chelsea
AC Milan v Barcelona
First legs to be played on March 27/28
Second legs to be played on April 3/4
Semi-finals
Marseille/Bayern Munich v APOEL/Real Madrid
Benfica/Chelsea v AC Milan/Barcelona
First legs to be played on April 17/18
Second legs to be played on April 24/25
Chelsea will face Benfica in the Champions League quarter-finals, while holders Barcelona lock horns with AC Milan in a blockbusting last-eight showdown.
Roberto Di Matteo's Blues were paired with the Portuguese giants in Friday morning's draw in Nyon.
Barca meanwhile will face Arsenal's conquerors Milan in a mouthwatering confrontation for the right to meet Benfica or Chelsea in the semis.
Surprise package APOEL Nicosia get the reward of a quarter-final with the mighty Real Madrid for making it through to the last eight.
The winner of that tie will face either German giants Bayern Munich or French side Marseille, who clash in the other quarter-final.
The draw keeps alive the tantalising prospect of Chelsea facing their former boss Jose Mourinho in the final in Munich.
Chelsea's chief executive Ron Gourlay claimed it was a decent draw for the club, especially with the second leg being played at Stamford Bridge.
He told uefa.com: "It's a good one for us but it doesn't matter who you get at this stage. It was important to get the away game first and hopefully we can build the foundation from there. We're pleased.
"Ramires and David Luiz will know a lot about Benfica - we also know a lot about them because they topped Manchester United's group."
Despite facing the competition's underdogs in the next round, Real club director Emiliano Butragueno is not prepared to underestimate Apoel.
"We have to be extremely respectful," he told Sky Sports.
"Of course on paper there were stronger teams that Apoel, but it is the quarter-finals and they are a very strong team."
Butragueno also refused to address the prospect of a Real-Barca final.
"The final is too far ahead," he said. "We have to be very focused on the next game and try to reach the semi-finals.
"That will be a difficult tie according to the draw. After that, if we are lucky enough to reach the final then we'll think about it."
Quarter-finals
APOEL v Real Madrid
Marseille v Bayern Munich
Benfica v Chelsea
AC Milan v Barcelona
First legs to be played on March 27/28
Second legs to be played on April 3/4
Semi-finals
Marseille/Bayern Munich v APOEL/Real Madrid
Benfica/Chelsea v AC Milan/Barcelona
First legs to be played on April 17/18
Second legs to be played on April 24/25