Real hoping to avoid fratricidal quarter-final

Real Madrid would like to avoid an all-Spanish Champions League quarter-final but if they are handed a fratricidal clash in Friday's draw the players are more keen to face unpredictable Barcelona than consistent Valencia.

Real made it through to the quarter-finals by claiming second place in Group C, meaning they will face one of the three group winners, Barcelona, Valencia or Manchester United, in the quarter-finals.

The reigning European champions have good recent records against all three sides, having beaten Barcelona in last year's semi-finals and Manchester United in the quarter-finals in 2000, followed by Valencia in the final.

"All three are among the biggest teams there are," striker Guti said on the eve of the draw.

"If I had to pick I'd prefer to face Barcelona or Manchester United. Between those two, it would be the English side because they play good football and they let you play. That gives you more chances."

"A meeting between two Spanish sides would make life more difficult for both of us and Valencia are the toughest of all three sides."

Portuguese forward Luis Figo would also like to avoid a meeting with either Valencia or his former club Barcelona.

"Manchester United would be my choice," Figo said. "I don't want to meet another Spanish side."

Real coach Vicente del Bosque is less concerned about being drawn against another Spanish side, however.

"I really don't care," Del Bosque told Marca newspaper. "We're all in Europe and you don't even look to see if your opponents are Spanish or not. You have to beat them all."