Bayern: Marseille will not be 'walk in the park'
Reuters - Monday 02 April 2012, 12:20
Bayern Munich's bid to
reach their second Champions League semi-final in three seasons
will not be a simple matter despite their 2-0 win at Olympique
Marseille last week, coach Jupp Heynckes warned on Monday.
"We will play to win as if we have played 1-1 in the first
game," Heynckes told reporters. "We have of course a
psychological advantage because of the first leg result."
"It is an outstanding starting position but we should be
reminded that Marseille beat Borussia Dortmund in the group
stage 3-2 after trailing 2-0 [earlier this season]."
Bayern, four-time winners of Europe's top club prize, are
chasing a treble of titles and are eager to advance in the
competition with the Champions League final held in Munich on
May 19.
"We know it will be hard game," said Bundesliga top scorer
Mario Gomez, who has also netted 11 times in the Champions
League, one less than Barcelona's Lionel Messi.
"In football many crazy things can happen. We will try to
win tomorrow as well but it will not be a walk in the park. Just
like we scored twice there they can do the same thing here."
Bayern have an impressive track record in recent home games
in the competition, having won 11 of their last 12 Champions
League matches at the Allianz Arena.
They have also scored 15 goals and conceded just three in
their four Munich matches this season.
Heynckes said he would not rest any of his key players,
despite having four of them - Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Jerome
Boateng and Luiz Gustavo - a booking away from a suspension that
could then see them miss what looks like a semi-final clash
against Real Madrid.
Real host APOEL Nicosia following their 3-0 win in Cyprus
last week.
"I never took this issue in consideration," Heynckes said.
"I have to field a competitive team that offers certain
guarantees that we will win the game. So I cannot deal with who
has how many yellow cards."