New Delhi: Chelsea's interim manager is relishing the prospect of taking on Rafael Benitez and Liverpool in the Champions League.
Both Rafael Benitez and Guus Hiddink can boast a strong managerial pedigree in the Champions League and, considering the recent continental rivalry between Liverpool and Chelsea, the quarter-final clash between the two clubs promises to provide a mouth-watering affair.
Because of the four Premier League representatives that were in the pot, there was an air of inevitability surrounding the draw for the final eight in Nyon, Switzerland, this afternoon.
The pairing of the Merseyside outfit with the west Londoners ensured that, for the fifth successive season, Steven Gerrard & Co. will take on John Terry and his Blues.
'They know each other so well," Hiddink explained on the club's official website.
"I have not seen all the games but they are always exciting… because both teams like to play football and they have players in the team to play an attacking way of football, and that's a guarantee for big clashes. There is a lot of attention worldwide. These clashes are so well received worldwide so it's just very good for football in general I think," Hiddink said.
"During the practice the draw was made and one of the officials told us. They (the players) stopped their exercise and (were) listening, saying, ‘Who, who, who?' That's nice, it means the players are looking forward to the big games as well, not just an automatic reaction without caring. They were very keen to know who was the opponent," he said.
"It is getting more and more exciting at the end of the Champions League season when you see all the teams. Whatever I said before, you have to play them all - if you have great desire to go to the end in May, you have to play them. Whether it's Liverpool or (Manchester United) or Barcelona, you have to play them. I am okay with the draw," he added.
Most English fans would have been rooting for a Villarreal or Porto date, however, Hiddink has warned against under-estimating the opposition.
"Don't underestimate, for instance, Villarreal, who have made very good and surprising results recently,” he said. “When you are in this period of the Champions League then you have your favourites, and Man U have to face another big opponent.
"It is so tight when you are there in the last eight. We have to push the luck; not depend on luck, but push the luck.”
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