Heavyweights await knockout ties

European heavyweights FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC will be confident of setting up a mouthwatering last-four showdown when the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals conclude, while Chelsea FC will need a strong home performance if they are to contest an all-English semi-final with either Arsenal FC or Liverpool FC.

Schalke hope
Both Barcelona and United go into the second legs of their ties in a strong position after collecting away victories, with the Premiership champions looking especially impressive as they triumphed 2-0 at AS Roma. That result leaves the Italian outfit needing to pull out all the stops on Wednesday at Old Trafford, where they memorably lost 7-1 last season and 1-0 in this year's group stage. "We have to give our best and see what happens," said Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi. That was the same message emanating from FC Schalke 04, who must overhaul a 1-0 deficit at Camp Nou. "We still have hope," warned the German club's midfielder Fabian Ernst. Barcelona may also boast a 100 per cent home record in this year's competition, but defender Gianluca Zambrotta refused to get carried away: "People are asking me if I'd prefer Manchester United or AS Roma but I'll not answer that because there's still a lot of work to do."

Arsenal mission
A day before those ties are resolved, Liverpool and Arsenal will resume their rivalry at Anfield. Dirk Kuyt gave the Merseysiders a coveted away goal in the 1-1 first-leg draw, but Emmanuel Adebayor knows his team can get the result they need to progress. "We have the quality and we know we have the mental strength to come back and win," said the Gunners' striker. The winner of that tie will go on to face either compatriots Chelsea or Fenerbahçe SK, with Zico's men vying to become the first Turkish club to reach the last four after prevailing 2-1 in Istanbul. Chelsea are targeting a fourth semi-final in five years, meanwhile. "We know we can beat them at [Stamford] Bridge," said goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.