Andoni Zubizarreta says Barcelona cannot be disappointed with their Champions League quarter-final draw after being paired with Atletico Madrid.
The former Blaugrana goalkeeper, who now seves as the club's director of football, says that any tie would have been tough but is buoyed by the fact that at last Tata Martino's men are very familiar with theRojiblancos, whom they have already faced three times this season.
"I do not know if the Clasico will have an influence or not on the Champions League matches but we will try to emerge stronger from this game," he stated.
Barcelona will host Atleti in the first leg on April 1, with the return at the Vicente Calderon taking place eight days later.
The former Blaugrana goalkeeper, who now seves as the club's director of football, says that any tie would have been tough but is buoyed by the fact that at last Tata Martino's men are very familiar with theRojiblancos, whom they have already faced three times this season.
"With this draw and the teams entering into the draw, I do not know if any of us would change our opponents," Zubizarreta mused.
"I don't know if any teams would exchange for Atletico, as they are one of the most powerful teams at home.
"But when playing against a team from the same domestic league you're at least used to playing in the stadium, both for them in Camp Nou and us at the Calderon."
The 52-year-old believes that Barca have already shown their European mettle in overcoming Manchester City in the round of 16, and he remains confident that the four-time winners can reach another Champions League final.
"I don't know if any teams would exchange for Atletico, as they are one of the most powerful teams at home.
"But when playing against a team from the same domestic league you're at least used to playing in the stadium, both for them in Camp Nou and us at the Calderon."
The 52-year-old believes that Barca have already shown their European mettle in overcoming Manchester City in the round of 16, and he remains confident that the four-time winners can reach another Champions League final.
"When we met City, we knew it was the most difficult tie," he added. "But the next two months is when everything will be decided.
"It's a long and sustained sprint, and we want to reach the finish line in good condition."
The Catalans face domestic rivals Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday and Zubizarreta is hopeful that, whatever the result in the capital, his team can gain a springboard ahead of the Atleti clashes.
"It's a long and sustained sprint, and we want to reach the finish line in good condition."
The Catalans face domestic rivals Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday and Zubizarreta is hopeful that, whatever the result in the capital, his team can gain a springboard ahead of the Atleti clashes.
Barcelona will host Atleti in the first leg on April 1, with the return at the Vicente Calderon taking place eight days later.
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