Barcelona director Javier Bordas: 'We did not want Atletico Madrid'

Barcelona's Thomas Vermaelen views with Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres on September 12, 2015
© AFP
Barcelona director Javier Bordas admits that the Catalan giants did not want to draw Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Barcelona director Javier Bordas has claimed that Atletico Madrid are the toughest opponents that his team could have drawn in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Barcelona's prize for overcoming Arsenal in the round of 16 was a two-legged last-eight affair with Atletico, who are currently chasing them down at the top of the La Liga table.

Bordas has said that Atletico "defend better than anyone" and admitted that the Catalan side were hoping to avoid Diego Simeone's team.

"I don't think there was a tougher opponent. They are the side who defend better than anyone. In the Champions League quarter-finals you know you're going to get that kind of opponent," Bordas told UEFA.com.

"There were 'better' teams to get, but we got a very tough one. With Atletico everything is tough. We all know about their defensive capabilities, but first we need to win this tie and in the semi-final, if we get there, we'll play whoever it might be."

Barcelona are currently on a 38-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Diego Simeone the coach of Club Atletico de Madrid celebrates towards his supporters after winning the La Liga after the match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at Camp Nou on May 17, 2014
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3Real Madrid31216489296069
4Villarreal31169639261357
5Celta Vigo31147104452-849
6Sevilla3113994437748
7Athletic Bilbao31146114940948
8Malaga311010113029140
9Real Sociedad31108133942-338
10EibarEibar31108134344-138
11Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo3171684044-437
12Espanyol31106153257-2536
13Las PalmasLas Palmas31106153443-936
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15Valencia31810133438-434
16Rayo Vallecano31710144363-2031
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18Getafe3177172854-2628
19Sporting GijonSporting Gijon3177173252-2028
20Levante3167182854-2625