Battle Of Bernabeu: Bayern Declare War On Real Madrid

Bayern Munich coach, Jupp Heynckes is preparing for a “battle of the giants” in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu tonight.

The Bavarians take a 2-1 advantage with them to Spain from the first leg and, while a 0-0 draw would suffice for the visitors to reach the final in their own stadium, few expect the clash to end goalless.

Heynckes is not expecting that either as he prepares for one of the most important nights of the season. “Tonight is going to be spectacular. It is going to be a real treat with everything which belongs in such a football game,” he said.

“Just a fortnight ago, people were saying that Barcelona are the best, but now Real, Chelsea have gone and won in Barcelona. It will be a battle of the giants. Both clubs have a great history and I am looking forward to it, and I hope it has a positive outcome for us.”

Heynckes expects Real to attack his side, but he is not going to set his side up to build a wall in front of the goal. Instead, he has promised his team will play their part in the spectacle by remaining faithful to the style of play which has seen them score 71 goals in the Bundesliga and 27 times in Europe.

“We are capable of scoring at the Bernabeu,” he said. “At the same time, we have shown that we don’t concede many. The first-leg result gives us an advantage, but Real have amazing goalscoring potential and have scored nearly 150 goals so we will be prepared for that.”

Meanwhile, Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is hoping for a change of luck, after a string semi-final frustrations. He today claimed he had been bereft of fortune in previous matches at the last four stage after twice losing to Liverpool (in 2005 and 2007) – when at Chelsea – and again to arch rivals Barcelona last season.

It will be a battle of the giants. Both clubs have a great history and I am looking forward to it, and I hope it has a positive outcome for us.

“Overall I have not been lucky in semi-finals of the Champions League,” he said. “I lost one with Chelsea (2005) due to a goal that wasn’t a goal, the ball didn’t cross the line. Another season (2007) we lost on penalties and when you lose a semi-final on penalties it is due to bad luck.”

Mourinho was glad that Chelsea made the final and said: “If it were Barcelona against Milan or Arsenal or any other team then it wouldn’t matter to me who progressed, I would want the best team to win, but because it is Chelsea I feel slightly different.”

However, the final of the Champions League is the most important thing in football. Tonight is almost like a long-awaited final, but I see calmness in the players. I don’t like an excess of emotion, or a lack of it.”