Eto'o hopes for all Spanish final in Champions League

MADRID, Apr 11 (Reuters) Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o wants an all Spanish Champions League final against Villarreal in Paris on May 17.

''I hope it happens for Spanish football's sake, but both sides know they have to fight hard and have luck over two games to get there,'' the Cameroon international told Radio Marca.

Barcelona travel to face last year's losing finalists AC Milan in their semi-final first leg on April 18, while Villarreal go to London to play Arsenal the day after.

The last all Spanish final was also in Paris in 2000 when Real Madrid defeated Valencia.

''We need to go into our match with Milan to play as if it were the last game. I think we'll have problems if we go to Milan waiting to see what happens,'' added Eto'o.

Before then Barcelona meet Villarreal in the Primera Liga on Friday in a potential dry-run for the final, and can take a large step towards retaining the league title with victory in the Nou Camp.

They lead by 11 points with six games left, having missed out on the chance to make Friday's game a possible decider when they were held to a 2-2 draw away to Racing Santander on Sunday.

Eto'o said Barcelona's priorities were clear.

''The league isn't over yet. We have a good advantage but we want to win the league first before we concentrate on the Champions League,'' he said.

Sunday's game against Racing was marred by another outbreak of racist chanting against Eto'o.

In February he tried to leave the pitch after being abused by Real Zaragoza fans, though he stayed to complete the game.

In Santander his reaction was to kick the corner flag in anger as he celebrated scoring the goal that put Barca level at 2-2.

''From the start of the game I had to put up with the chants and celebrating the goal the way I did helped me get rid of some of the anger,'' said Eto'o.

''It was less problematical than making some ugly gesture to the fans. I still can't understand why fans continue to act this way.'' REUTERS PDS PM1711