Bayern Munich camp turns focus to Athens

The Bayern Munchen camp turns its full attention to the Megaron International Conference Centre in Athens at midday (CET) on Friday, where European governing body UEFA stages the draw for the quarter-finals of this season's Champions League. The Olympic stadium in the Greek capital is the venue for this year's Final on 23 May.

A clutch of the bigger names in the European game, including holders Barcelona, are already out of this year's competition, but the draw for the last eight still promises a stiff task for Germany's most successful club.

"My gut's telling me it'll be Chelsea," Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge predicted in advance of the eagerly-awaited draw, rating the reigning English champions as favourites to claim the trophy.

Valencia reunion?

The powerful English Premier League is also represented in the last eight by runaway leaders Manchester United, and 2005 winners Liverpool, conquerors of Barca during the week.

Italian giants AC Milan and AS Rome would provide a stern test, while Bayern might consider themselves in with a very good chance against Dutch cracks PSV Eindhoven or sole Spanish survivors Valencia, the side Munich defeated in Milan to claim the sought-after trophy in the 2001 Final.

Fortress Allianz Arena

"Who we draw is of no importance. The main thing is that we play the second leg at home. With our crowd behind us, we're capable of beating anyone," general manager Uli Hoeneß commented following Wednesday's decisive victory over Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena.

At this stage of the competition, no teams are seeded and home and away permutations are decided solely by the draw. Teams from the same national association can be drawn against each other from the last eight onwards. Friday's ceremony will also determine the pairings for the semi-finals. The quarter-final ties will be played on 3 / 4 April and 10 / 11 April. - SOURCE: Bayern Munchen News