Barcelona-PSG clash the pick of the bunch

Champions League favourites Barcelona will play big-spending Paris Saint-Germain in the pick of the quarter-final matches after the draw was held in Nyon, Switzerland yesterday.

Former England captain David Beckham will get the chance to return to the Nou Camp where he famously helped Manchester United defeat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the 1999 final although they will be without leading scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic who is suspended for the first leg at the Parc des Princes.

Lionel Messi will lead four-time champions Barcelona after the Argentine superstar scored twice and inspired the 4-0 thrashing of AC Milan on Tuesday that overturned a 2-0 deficit.

"I think it's brilliant to play Barcelona. I'm very happy but it'll be very difficult. Barca have a lot of experience, quality and confidence but PSG have a chance of going through. We'll have to play the full 180 minutes," said Paris Saint-Germain's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti.

PSG sporting director Leonardo also focused on the daunting prospect of playing a team widely recognised as the best in club football.

"It's the toughest draw we could get and it's going to be difficult," said the Brazilian former PSG player. "It's not going to be easy but the two matches will bring us a lot of enjoyment and they will be great matches of football."