Champions League quarterfinals draw: Last 8 learn their fates

THANKS AND GOODBYE! 

That's it from our Live Updates from the Champions League draw, thanks for joining us for an event which threw up plenty of intriguing ties. 

Be sure to follow RT Sport as we continue to bring you all the news from the Champions League and beyond!  

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES

The quarterfinal first  legs will be played on April 9 and 10, with the second legs coming a week later, on April 16 and 17.

The semifinal first legs are scheduled for April 30 and May 1, with the return legs on May 7 and 8. 

The grand finale in Madrid is on Saturday, June 1. 

Cancel any plans, get those dates in your diaries – you will not want to miss these games!

AJAX VS JUVENTUS  

A meeting of two teams that contested the 1996 final, which Juventus won on penalties.

That was the last time the Old Lady tasted European glory, having since lost five finals.

But this time they have serial winner Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks, the competitions all-time top-scorer on 124 goals in 160 games.

Ajax were fantastic against Real Madrid, but will face a wily, seasoned outfit in Juventus that have been sharpened by the arrival of their Portuguese superstar.

Juve will be favorites.      

LIVERPOOL VS PORTO 

Last year's beaten finalists will be pleased with the draw, given that Porto are among the lesser-fancied teams left.

The pair met at the last 16 stage last season, with Liverpool winning 5-0 on aggregate after a demolition job in Portugal. 

This campaigm, Jurgen Klopp's team were impressive in beating Bayern 3-1 on Wednesday, and while they are fighting on two fronts with their push for the Premier League, their fabled attacking trident of Salah, Mane and Firmino - plus the poise and calm of van Dijk in defense - will make them among the outright favorites for this year's Champions League. 

The five-time winners meet a Porto team with two European Cups to their name, the last coming in 2004 under a certain Jose Mourinho.

They will be the underdogs, but then again they were in the last round before they put in a gutsy display to beat Roma 4-3 on aggregate. 

Liverpool favorites, but won't be taking the Portuguese lightly. 

TOTTENHAM VS MANCHESTER CITY 

An all-English affair between two teams seeking their first ever title at this level.

Pep Guardiola is a man who knows what it takes to get his hands on the coveted trophy, having done so as a player and manager with Barcelona.

His team are again flying high in the Premier League and destroyed Schalke 10-3 on aggregate in the last 16.

Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs, meanwhile, have stumbled in the league in recent weeks but put that behond them with a confident 4-0 aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund in the last 16.

City will be favorites, but not by much.   

MANCHESTER UNITED VS BARCELONA

Barcelona have been United's nemesis in the competion in recent seasons, beating them in the final in 2009 and 2011. 

The Catalans are looking to add to their five titles in Europe's top club competition, while United are seeking a fourth triumph.

While United were brilliant in seeing off PSG in the last round, Barca will be heavily fancied to progress. 

So, plenty to digest there... 

An all-English affair between Man City and Tottenham, while Juventus and Barcelona have been kept apart potentially until the final, meaning Messi and Ronaldo could meet in Madrid on June 1.

SEMI-FINAL DRAW 

So the last 8 is done, but a reminder that they are also drawing what the semi-finals will be:

TOTTENHAM/MAN CITY VS AJAX/JUVENTUS 

MAN UTD/BARCA VS LIVERPOOL/PORTO 

MANCHESTER UNITED VS BARCELONA

TOTTENHAM VS MANCHESTER CITY