Munich may also be reassured by the fact that Pep Guardiola has not lost any of his seven previous games against Real as a coach, emerging as winner in each of his three knockout encounters with Madrid to date. Bayern can also draw confidence from history, having met Real five times in the Champions League semi-final and winning four of those ties, most recently after beating the Spanish side 4-3 on penalties two years ago.
However, one possible cause for concern is that Los Blancos coach Carlo Ancelotti has never lost a match against Bayern. Ancelotti is an unknown quantity for Guardiola as it is only his first season at Real. “I know the players but I’ll have to see what they do,” the Bayern coach said. Indeed, the stars of the Spanish capital fascinate Guardiola: “Wow, the players. Any of them can decide this match. I know them very well and I know how tough it can be to play them. Madrid have everything.”
“We’ve got to get a goal or two in Madrid”
However, one thing remains all-important. “We’ve got to try and score a goal or two in Madrid,” said Rummenigge, emphasising that things “cannot go as they did” for Borussia Dortmund, who lost their quarter-final first leg 3-0 at the Bernabeu to seal their exit despite a 2-0 fightback in the second leg. Before that, Schalke fell prey to Real in the last 16, losing 6-1 and 3-1 at home and away respectively.
Munich’s key figures are divided on whether Real’s cup final victory against Barcelona last Wednesday is good news for this week’s first leg showdown. “When you win a title, you have more confidence and belief,” said Guardiola, but Rummenigge disagreed, saying: “I’m glad they won, as that might make them more content and less aggressive on the pitch.” One thing is for sure – it is time for ‘the black beast’ to spring into action.
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Bayern captain Philipp Lahm and his team-mates have been eagerly awaiting their Champions League semi-final since the draw was made, and today (live on ZDF and Sky from 20:45 CET) the day has finally come for the Munich club. The Club World Cup champions will need to “show passion and heart” in their first leg against Real Madrid and demonstrate the “black beast” qualities so feared by the Spanish side.
“The Spanish call us their ‘bestia negra’ (‘black beast’ i.e. bogey team), and now we’ll see if we can live up to those expectations once again,” said club chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, while coach Pep Guardiola added: “We need to deliver a big, exceptional performance.”
In Madrid, Bayern must prove that they “can rise to the occasion”, according to skipper Lahm, or it may prove difficult for his side to take the next step towards a historic defence of their treble.
Real are in fine fettle at present, having won the Spanish Copa del Rey versus Barcelona last week. Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo is back from a knee and thigh problem, while Copa hero Gareth Bale has also recovered from illness. Spain’s King Juan Carlos will be supporting the nine-time winners of Europe’s elite competition at the Bernabeu this evening, while Prince Felipe was on hand last night to watch Atletico Madrid’s 0-0 first-leg draw against Chelsea at the Vicente Calderon stadium.
Lahm “not at all worried”
Although record breakers Bayern appeared to be well on course to defend their Champions League title just a few weeks ago, Lahm conceded: “None of us have played at the level we’re used to over the past few weeks.” Meanwhile, Arjen Robben told German sports magazine kicker: “Given how we’ve played in our most recent games, you’d have to say that we’re no longer favourites,” and believes that his side can only reach the final if they pull of an improvement. After all, as Guardiola pointed out, “we’re playing against one of the best teams in the world”.
Nevertheless, Lahm is “not at all worried” about Bayern’s ability to return to their best at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, despite the team’s sloppiness since sealing the German championship back on 25 March, earlier than any team in history. “We’re here to win,” the captain stressed.
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Bayern won 2012 semi-final on penalties
Munich may also be reassured by the fact that Pep Guardiola has not lost any of his seven previous games against Real as a coach, emerging as winner in each of his three knockout encounters with Madrid to date. Bayern can also draw confidence from history, having met Real five times in the Champions League semi-final and winning four of those ties, most recently after beating the Spanish side 4-3 on penalties two years ago.
However, one possible cause for concern is that Los Blancos coach Carlo Ancelotti has never lost a match against Bayern. Ancelotti is an unknown quantity for Guardiola as it is only his first season at Real. “I know the players but I’ll have to see what they do,” the Bayern coach said. Indeed, the stars of the Spanish capital fascinate Guardiola: “Wow, the players. Any of them can decide this match. I know them very well and I know how tough it can be to play them. Madrid have everything.”
“We’ve got to get a goal or two in Madrid”
However, one thing remains all-important. “We’ve got to try and score a goal or two in Madrid,” said Rummenigge, emphasising that things “cannot go as they did” for Borussia Dortmund, who lost their quarter-final first leg 3-0 at the Bernabeu to seal their exit despite a 2-0 fightback in the second leg. Before that, Schalke fell prey to Real in the last 16, losing 6-1 and 3-1 at home and away respectively.
Munich’s key figures are divided on whether Real’s cup final victory against Barcelona last Wednesday is good news for this week’s first leg showdown. “When you win a title, you have more confidence and belief,” said Guardiola, but Rummenigge disagreed, saying: “I’m glad they won, as that might make them more content and less aggressive on the pitch.” One thing is for sure – it is time for ‘the black beast’ to spring into action.
