The Champions League quarter-final draw took place yesterday morning and the consensus was that the big guns were kept apart.

 

Malaga v Borussia Dortmund

The German club have become everyone's second favourite team in this season's Champions League. The achievement of topping a group featuring Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax is well documented. But eliminating Shakhtar Donetsk in the last 16, last week should not be understated. It was a tricky tie against a team which was on a par with Jurgen Klopp's side. But with the attacking verve of Mario Gotze, Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski they emerged from the two legs with an impressive 5 - 2 advantage.

Their quarter-final opponents Malaga have also been impressive considering their off-the-field problems. But Dortmund will be the toughest challenge they will have faced in their debut Champions League season.

The Bundesliga side have the advantage of playing the first leg in Spain which will suit their swift counter-attacking style as they come up against Manuel Pellegrini's preferred 4-4-2 which will see star man Isco tuck in from the left.

If Dortmund get an away goal they will be favourites to progress to a first semi-final in 15 years.

Real Madrid v Galatasaray

The Turkish giants have ridden their luck to an extent so far in the competition, sneaking out of their group and edging past Schalke in an pulsating game. But the road is likely to come to an abrupt end against Real Madrid.

Jose Mourinho's team have returned to form in recent weeks although they were also lucky to beat Manchester United after a controversial red card for Nani. But they will not be cursing former hero Steve McManaman after he pulled Galatasaray out of the hat and will be confident of brushing their opponents aside.

Is there hope for the Istanbul club? It depends on Fatih Terim's tactics. If he can convince his side to sit deep and soak up pressure, they could withstand the counter-attacking machine that is Real Madrid. The experience of recent Champions League winners Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder will also be a boost particularly in the first leg at the Bernabeu. If they can bring back a draw or an away goal from Spain, not many teams would fancy taking a trip to the indimating atmosphere in Istanbul looking for a win.

 

PSG v Barcelona

The Parisians may have a Champions League-winning coach in Carlo Ancelotti, cash to burn and star names in Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, but they are an inferior side to Barcelona.

If Lionel Messi and co repeat the performance they gave against Milan, PSG will have zero chance. Barcelona will not alter their style of play but PSG's tactics will be fascinating.

Earlier in the season, they preferred a narrow system but in recent weeks they have chosen a 4-4-2 system with Javier Pastore and Lucas Moura on the flanks. But with Barcelona preferring to work play down the middle, Ancelotti may be tempted to revert back to type. The discipline and energy of midfield pair Blaise Matuidi and Thiago Motta will be key to stemming the tide.

It will be imperative for PSG to get a win at home, otherwise they will be in for a long night at the Nou Camp in the return leg.

 

Bayern Munich v Juventus

The true big guns were kept apart in the rest of the quarter-final draw. But a meeting of two European superpowers was inevitable at this stage of the competition.

This tie is very difficult to call. Both sides are defensively strong and well-matched in midfield with the battle of wills between Andrea Pirlo and Bastian Schweinsteiger key to winning the game. 

Schweini was conspicuous by his absence as the Bavarians lost to Arsenal at the Allianz Arena as he sets the tempo for their play alongside Javi Martinez. But that defeat 2 - 0 to the Gunners could prove to be a fortunate wake up call for Bayern as it is unlikely that they will allow themselves to become so complacent.

Antonio Conte's formation of choice will be interesting as he faces Bayern's standard 4-2-3-1. Juventus have usually used the 3-5-2 at home and abroad this season but could flit between 3-4-3s and 4-3-3s with the midfield engine of Arturo Vidal, Claudio Marchisio and Pirlo remaining intact.

The eventual winners of the tournament could well emerge from this tie.