Blues to face Benfica in Champions League quarter finals

Chelsea will face Benfica in the quarter-finals of the Champions League – but could face reigning European champions Barcelona in the semi-finals.

England’s last remaining club in Europe will face Portuguese side Benfica for the first time in European competition, with the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Should they progress, Chelsea would face the winners of the quarter-final between AC Milan and Barcelona.

In the other quarter-finals, Real Madrid were drawn against Cypriot side APOEL Nicosia while Marseille will take on Bayern Munich.

The draw also means there is a good chance of a mouthwatering all-Spanish final between Real and Barcelona.

Chelsea have two former Benfica players in their squad - the Brazilians David Luis and Ramires.

The Portuguese club are currently second in their domestic league, a point behind Porto, and emerged triumphant in the group phase during which they drew home and away with Manchester United.

Benfica also overgcame a 3-2 first-leg defeat by Zenit St Petersburg in the first knock-out stage, winning 2-0 at the Estadio da Luz to secure their place in the quarter-finals.

Chelsea's chief executive Ron Gourlay claimed it was a decent draw for the club, especially with the second leg being played at Stamford Bridge.

He told uefa.com: “It’s a good one for us but it doesn’t matter who you get at this stage. It was important to get the away game first and hopefully we can build the foundation from there. We’re pleased.

“Ramires and David Luiz will know a lot about Benfica – we also know a lot about them because they topped Manchester United’s group.”

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINAL DRAW

APOEL Nicosia v Real Madrid

Marseille v Bayern Munich

Benfica v Chelsea

AC Milan v Barcelona

First legs to be played on March 27/28. Second legs to be played on April 3/4.

SEMI-FINAL DRAW

Marseille/Bayern Munich v APOEL Nicosia/Real Madrid

Benfica/Chelsea v AC Milan/Barcelona

First legs to be played on April 17/18. Second legs to be played on April 24/25.