Source: SKY_Sports
Carvalho expecting tough tie
Ricardo Carvalho admits that Chelsea will face a difficult test in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, regardless of whether or not they are paired against another English side.
The Blues booked their place in the last eight of Europe's premier club competition with a 2-2 draw at Juventus on Tuesday, which sealed a 3-2 aggregate success.
Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal also advanced safely to the next round but Carvalho has been keeping tabs on the other contenders as well.
Carvalho's former club Porto and Spanish duo Barcelona and Villarreal are possible opponents for Chelsea, while Bayern Munich may also be a team to avoid following their 12-1 aggregate thrashing of Sporting.
"It is good to be in the quarter-finals and it is an important competition for us," Carvalho told Chelsea's official website.
"Last year we arrived in the final and didn't get the trophy so it is important to do the same again, and for that we have to win our games.
"Villarreal won against Panathinaikos and are doing well in the Spanish league.
"Barcelona are always strong, they are playing well and are top of the Spanish league. Normally they play good football and at home were too strong for Lyon so of course they won't be easy.
"Bayern Munich are a surprise because nobody expected them to beat Sporting so easily, but they have some great players up front - (Franck) Ribery, (Luca) Toni, (Miroslav) Klose, and Lucio at the back.
"They are a very good team and we have to respect everyone but we also have quality in our team and have the same chances as them. We have to play game after game, minute after minute to go as far as possible and play at the high level that we can."
There is a fair chance that two of the Premier League sides will be pitted against each other but Carvalho does not want to dwell on the possibilities until the draw is made next Friday.
"It is difficult because the English teams know the others, playing in the same league and that will always be difficult, so let's see the draw and then afterwards think of the team we get."