Mixed fortunes for Spanish clubs in UEFA Champions League draw

The three Spanish clubs remaining in the Champions League had mixed fortunes in the draw for the last 16 of the competition.

   While Atletico Madrid can be content with their draw against Dutch side, PSV Eindhoven and Real Madrid reasonably satisfied with their tie against Roma, FC Barcelona have been given a tough draw against Barclays Premier League leaders, Arsenal.

   "We have to be alert: I hope we go into the last 16 in good form and with all of our players in form, said Real Madrid's Director of International Relations, Emilio Butragueno.

   "We are going to face a very good side, who are also highly competitive. If we think that we are favorites, we will have problems," he added.

   Barca's Director of Sport Roberto said he was pleased to have avoided Paris Saint Germain in the last 16, but admitted that Arsenal were "a good side with magnificent players. It will be complicated and they are a rival to be aware of," he commented.

   "Arsenal have a similar philosophy to us and it will be vital to get a good result in the first leg (in London). They are very difficult rivals," he added.

   Finally, Atletico Madrid Director, Clemente Villaverde described PSV, who qualified ahead of Manchester United in their group, as a side that was "strong and with a lot of history of playing in Europe, who I am certain will complicate things for us."

   Meanwhile there were also mixed fortunes for Spain's four sides in the Europa League, with Athletic Club Bilbao and Villarreal facing tough ties against Olympique Marseilles and Napoli, while Valencia and defending Champions Sevilla, who both go into the competition after failing to qualify from the Champions League group stage, have more straightforward ties against Rapid Vienna and Norwegian side Molde.  Endi