Schalke's Raul would prefer to avoid Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals after helping his side to victory against Valencia.
Raul helped Schalke dump Primera Division side Valencia out at the last-16 stage on Wednesday night, winning the second leg at home 3-1 for a 4-2 aggregate victory.
"I'm very happy. For Schalke to be in the quarters is a very important step. Now we can enjoy two more games against a great opponent because, whoever it is, they will be among the best in Europe. We will try to make it difficult for them and dream of the semi-finals," Raul said in Marca.
Wednesday night's success means Schalke join Barcelona, Tottenham and Shakhtar Donetsk in the next round, with the final four places to be decided next week.
Among those hoping to progress through to the quarter-finals are Raul's old side Madrid, who are currently locked at 1-1 with Lyon following the first leg in France, but the veteran hitman admits he would rather not face the team he represented for over 15 years before moving to Germany last summer.
"I would prefer for us not to face any Spanish team. I don't want Madrid because it would be too emotional to return to the Santiago Bernabeu wearing another shirt," said the 33-year-old, who won the Champions League three times with the Spanish giants but was also part of the Madrid side that has failed to get beyond the last 16 in six successive campaigns.
He added: "For me it's a special competition. I've gone many years without getting past the last 16 and to be in the quarters will be special. We are performing at a great level in the cup competitions and where we haven't been consistent is in the Bundesliga.
"Hopefully we can achieve two or three wins so as not to suffer towards the end of the season."
Schalke are currently 10th in the Bundesliga, five points above the bottom three.
