体坛英语新闻：PSG "will be ready" for tough CL quarters against Barca: club president

PARIS, Mar. 20 (Xinhua) -- Paris Saint-Germain president said the team would be ready after the defending Ligue 1 champions being drawn against Barcelona in UEFA's headquarters Nyon on Thursday for the upcoming Champions League quarterfinals.

"We find ourselves facing another head-to-head confrontation with FC Barcelona, one of the most competitive sides in Europe and a club for whom we have the utmost respect," Nasser Al Khelaifi told the PSG website.

"We all remember that fantastic match against Barca last September," the Qatari added.

Les Parisiens, who advanced to the CL quarterfinals on away goals after tying Chelsea 3-3 in aggregate, trailed Group F leaders Barcelona by just two points in this season's group stage.

"Whatever happens, we will be looking to qualify. This tie is a real challenge for us," said Al Khelaifi, knowing it a tough job to beat Lionel Messi's Barca.

"I have total confidence in our players, in the coach and his staff; they proved in the last-16 that with courage, determination and talent we can overcome the greatest of challenges."

"Now more than ever, we are ready for these two exciting matches. We are counting on the support of our fans at the Parc des Princes and at the Camp Nou to give us every chance of reaching the final four of the competition. They are essential to our success."

"It will be a very important moment in the history of this club, that has been waiting for 20 years to play a semifinal of the Champions League," he said. "Our objective remains unchanged: reach the highest possible level in Europe."

In the club's history, Paris only made once the semifinals in the 1994-1995 season, when the Champions League was still called the European Champion Clubs' Cup.

"But before then, we have to concentrate on the upcoming challenges for the club in the Ligue 1 championship, Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue."

The Paris side sets to face first division rivals Saint-Etienne on April 8, a date between their top-flight clash against "half- season champions" Marseille on April 5 and the League Cup final against Bastia on April 11.

What makes it worse is that Les Parisiens' first leg game of Champions League quarterfinals against Barcelona will be on April 15 at Parc des Princes.