Atletico Madrid was drawn on Monday to meet Barcelona in the last 16 of the King's Cup. Primera Liga leader Barcelona, who has won the Cup a record 24 times, will play the first leg at the Calderon next month. Atletico, who is sixth in the league, secured the last of their nine Cups in 1996 with a 1-0 overtime win over the Catalans, when current Barca boss Pep Guardiola ran their midfield. Barca trounced Atletico 6-1 at the Nou Camp back in October, but Lionel Messi reckoned that was simply a one-off result. “They are tough opponents and we know it won't be like the league game,” the Argentina forward told the club website (www.fcbarcelona.com). “We need to remain calm and to continue playing like we have been doing. It's over two legs and we have the return at home.” Barcelona has been in formidable form of late and has won 16 of its last 18 games in all competitions. Atletico has been inconsistent but are unbeaten in 11. The only remaining non-Primera Liga clubs, Real Union and Poli Ejido both of the Segunda B (third tier), will have home advantage for their first legs against Real Betis and Espanyol respectively. Poli Ejido knocked out Villarreal 6-1 on aggregate in the last round, and Real Union beat Real Madrid on the away goals rule after drawing 6-6 on aggregate. Holder Valencia visits Racing Santander, and the 2007 winners Sevilla is at home first to Deportivo Coruna. A northern derby between Osasuna and 23-time winner Athletic Bilbao, and the clashes between Real Mallorca and Almeria, and Sporting Gijon and Real Valladolid completed the draw. The first legs are scheduled for Jan. 7, with the return legs on Jan. 14. FIFA to push for quotas FIFA president Sepp Blatter vowed on Monday to press ahead with controversial plans to restrict the number of foreign players in club soccer despite continued opposition from the EU Commission. Blatter, whose ‘6+5' rule would limit teams to just five foreigner players in their starting line-ups, said he had been “satisfied” by an informal meeting in Biarritz that brought together top sports officials and European sports ministers. Ministers signed a joint declaration to “encourage further discussion on initiatives put forward by international federations to encourage the teams... to develop the presence of athletes capable of qualifying for national teams, in compliance with EU law.”
