Laurent Blanc pleased to avoid Barcelona in Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc has admitted that he was relieved to avoid "monster" Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

PSG have been tipped as serious challengers for the crown this season and they will enter their last-eight two-legged affair with Manchester City next month as the favourites to advance.

Blanc was pleased to avoid drawing Barcelona, but has refused to accept that his team will have no problems advancing to the semi-finals.

"We see them all year and they have many good players. We avoided the monster of this Champions League with Barcelona but when I hear that PSG is the favourite, it's difficult," Blanc told reporters.

"I think we have drawn a big club. I am satisfied to have avoided Barcelona but we can't say we had an easy draw, I do not agree. I really do think that it's not easy."

PSG wrapped up the Ligue 1 title last weekend with a 9-0 win at Troyes.