FC Porto of Portugal defender, Zaidu Sanusi has been drawn to battle Nigerian-born striker, Tammy Abraham, as his club have been drawn against Cheslea of Enland in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, megaspotsaena.com reports.
As reward for their spirited efforts in dumping Cristiano Ronaldo Juventus of Italy out of the round of 16 in this yar’s European elite clubs’ contst, Sanusi and his pals now have the pleasure of taking on Abraham and The Blues from London.
While Abraham will have o qucikly overcome his ongoing treatment of an ankle injury in order for him to face-off with Sanusi next month, Liverpool have been drawn against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, a repeat of the 2018 final.
While Abraham’s Chelsea face Sanusi’s Porto and Manchester City of England tango Borussia Dortmund of Germany, anoher German club and current UCL holders, Bayern Munich will face the same team they beat min last season’s finl, Paris Saint-Germain of France.
The semi-final draw also took place on Friday, with Liverpool and Chelsea set to meet in the last four should both progress, while City could play Bayern or PSG for a place in the final.
A potential semi-final meeting between Chelsea and Liverpool would see the two sides renew their Champions League rivalry.
Liverpool and Chelsea last met in the Champions League in 2009, having played one another in five consecutive seasons from 2004-05 – at the semi-final stage three times, the quarter-final once and also in the group stages in 2005-06.
The two sides also played in the 2019 UEFA Super Cup, with Liverpool winning 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra time, while Man City will continue their pursuit for the ‘Quadruple’ against another Bundesliga side in Dortmund after beating Borussia Monchengladbach 4-0 on aggregate.
City have exited at the quarter-final stage the past three seasons, and head coach Pep Guardiola is not looking too far ahead with the Premier League leaders first taking on Everton in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend before playing Leicester in April, live on Sky Sports, after the March international break.
Of the three English sides remaining, Liverpool arguably have the toughest draw against Spanish LaLiga champions, Real Madrid, who beat Jurgen Klopp’s side 3-1 three years ago in Kiev.
Liverpool overcame RB Leipzig of Germany 4-0 on aggregate to reach the quarters this time around, and speaking before the draw Klopp said he is hoping to regain momentum in the English Premier League to help their Champions League bid.
After beating Atletico Madrid of Spain 3-0 on aggregate in the last 16, Abraham will fancy his side’s chances against anusi’s Porto, who stunned Juventus in the previous round to progress.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel believes his new-look Chelsea boast the “edge and glue” to become genuine Champions League title contenders.
Tuchel said after Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Atletico: “They play with a special bond and performances and results like this give you a certain edge and glue to achieve special things. You can only achieve this through results and experiences.
“I’m pretty sure no one wants to play against us. It’s a super-difficult challenge ahead because we are already in the last eight. It’s a big step, but no need to be afraid, we take what we get and prepare as best as possible.”
