Villarreal midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi is hoping to face Arsenal and not Juventus in the Champions League semi-finals.

Tacchinardi helped the Spanish side see off Internazionale on away goals on Tuesday night to reach the last four of Europe's premier competition for the first time in their history.

The 30-year-old joined Villarreal from Juve in the summer but does not want to face his former side, who must overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit on Wednesday night to progress.

"I really hope Arsenal go through," said Tacchinardi.

"For me it would be difficult to play against Juve.

"My former team-mates can win the Scudetto but I hope to find the English team in the Champions League semi-finals."

Tacchinardi admitted he expected a more challenging battle against Inter, who meekly surrendered their 2-1 first-leg advantage at El Madrigal.

"I'm very disappointed with Inter," he said.

"I really thought they would play for their lives in this game considering they are already out of the Scudetto race.

"They did very little and in the end, the result is fair, we had more will to progress."

Unlike Tacchinardi, team-mate Juan Pablo Sorin has no preference as to which club his side will meet next in Europe.

"For us it's a dream to be in the Champions League semi-finals," he said.

"I just feel happy we have deservedly reached this point.

"Our dream is to reach the final.

"We consider ourselves guests of honour and both Juve and Arsenal are very good teams so it really doesn't matter who we face, it will be a challenging tie."

Whomever they meet will be wary of Villarreal, who have proved in their first season playing in the Champions League that they are able to stand up against the best sides in Europe.

"We have a long-term project at Villarreal," said club coach Manuel Pellegrini.

"Our players have the confidence to play against any team.

"We may not have big name players like other teams but my players go out on the pitch with character and determination."