Barcelona director Javier Bordas has claimed that Atletico Madrid are the toughest opponents that his team could have drawn in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Barcelona's prize for overcoming Arsenal in the round of 16 was a two-legged last-eight affair with Atletico, who are currently chasing them down at the top of the La Liga table.

Bordas has said that Atletico "defend better than anyone" and admitted that the Catalan side were hoping to avoid Diego Simeone's team.

"I don't think there was a tougher opponent. They are the side who defend better than anyone. In the Champions League quarter-finals you know you're going to get that kind of opponent," Bordas told UEFA.com.

"There were 'better' teams to get, but we got a very tough one. With Atletico everything is tough. We all know about their defensive capabilities, but first we need to win this tie and in the semi-final, if we get there, we'll play whoever it might be."

Barcelona are currently on a 38-game unbeaten run in all competitions.