In being paired with Schalke, who are making their debuts at this stage of the Champions League, and avoiding the powerful English quartet of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, many will feel Barca have done very well out of Friday`s draw in Nyon.

However, France international Thuram insists they cannot be complacent against a Schalke side who were Bundesliga runners-up last season and are currently fifth this campaign.

"It is dangerous to think that they are not a strong opponent," said Thuram.

"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."

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In contrast to his Barca team-mate Thuram, the Catalan club`s Cameroon striker Samuel Eto`o insists he would rather have drawn a more fancied side, such as Chelsea.

"Frankly I would have preferred a team like Chelsea because at least you go into those games with the idea that it is going to be hard, and these games (against teams like Schalke) could be a trap no?" said Eto`o.

"Let`s hope that we don`t fall into this trap, and we respect these opponents, as they have deserved to get this far as much as any other.

"I think if Barcelona play at 100% and are focused then there is no opponent who can beat us, but we have to play at 100& and be very focused."