Barcelona were paired with Schalke in the Champions League quarter-final draw, with the winners meeting Manchester United or Roma in the last four.

Barca will first face the German outfit in Gelsenkirchen on April 1 before the return at the Nou Camp eight days later.

The Spanish giants, winners in 2006, avoided four English clubs in the quarter-final draw - leaving director of football Txiki Begiristain relieved.

He said: "It is true that they [the Premier League] have invested a lot of money in football and you can see also they they are doing a great job.

"Because of that there are now four teams here. They are the strongest [league] in the world.

"The [English] style is very different. In Spain our style is very nice but it's not so brilliant to watch a Spanish league game.

"I believe that the Premier League is the strongest one."

Despite his obvious relief at avoiding one of the Premier League's big guns, Begiristain refused to underestimate last-eight opponents Schalke, who dispatched 2004 champions Porto on penalties in the last round.

He told Sky Sports News: "We have respect for Schalke as they beat Porto, who are a strong team. We have to be careful of that."

He added: "We are happy because in the second leg we play at home.

"We have an attacking style, we try to make goals, but also we need to have balance. We have to be strong up front but also strong in defence."

Defender Lilian Thuram has warned his team-mates not to think they have got off lightly.

He said: "It is dangerous to think that they are not a strong opponent.

"They have experienced players and we will need to prove we are better than them on the pitch.

"We must go out focused to be able to get through the tie. If Schalke have got this far it is because they deserve it."

Schalke president Josef Schnusenberg described his team's chances of advancing as "very, very small".

Although Schnusenberg is excited at the prospect of coming up against the Catalan giants, he is not optimistic the Gelsenkirchen club will get through to a semi-final clash with either Manchester United or Roma.

He said: "I think Barcelona is a good rival for us. I prefer Spanish football to English football so I'm happy, just as I'm sure my players are, to be going to the Nou Camp.

"Barca have a great team and fantastic players like Ronaldinho and (Lionel) Messi.

"I think our chances are very, very small but we are happy to have made it through to the quarter-finals and we will definitely enjoy the experience."

Schalke coach Mirko Slomka was more bullish about the draw.

He said: "Barcelona is an excellent opponent for us. From a sporting point of view it's a marvellous challenge.

"With the support of our fans, we can have a good game in the first leg and travel to Barcelona with a good chance."

More news from SportingLife.com