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Two giants of the UEFA Champions League, Madrid and Munich, will face each other once again. This is the fourth time in the last seven seasons that the multiple champions of Spain and Germany have to play against each other.
Nine-time European champions Real, in the 2001-02 and 2003-04 seasons, eliminated German teams from the prestigious European football tournament, but looking at the overall statistics, the results are even.
It is interesting that Real has experienced its biggest defeats in the prestigious European tournament both at home and away against Bayern. Perhaps that is why German club strategist Felix Magath was somewhat ambiguous when speaking about his opponents.
"It will be a very difficult match, but we have to come to terms with it," said the German, somewhat ambiguously adding: "To be honest, I like going to Spain because it's a bit warmer there."
Bayern invested a lot of effort to finish first in their group, where they had to compete with Milan's Inter and Lisbon's Sporting, which gives them the right to play the return leg at home in the Round of 16. Although they secured their place in the next stage with two games to spare, Bayern did not let their stars rest and played the last games with their strongest lineup.
"The duel will start from zero, so it will be crucial to take advantage of the home leg," said Bayern forward Roy Makaay.
"We can be satisfied," said Real's sporting director Predrag Mijatović after the draw ceremony. "Bayern is a good team, very strong, with deep traditions, but we can go further. We respect Bayern, although I am glad that we managed to avoid Man Utd and Chelsea."
Roberto Carlos, the veteran defender of the Royal club, stated that it doesn't matter to him who the opponents are - the result will still be the same.
"Madrid's Real is Madrid's Real, and the Champions League is our tournament," said the Brazilian. "These years are our years and we will succeed, no matter who we have to play against. We are familiar with Bayern - with them, we often have to play on the edge of our capabilities, but we can win."
