Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid preview - Heynckes dangles dream final carrot

Posted Tuesday, April 17, 2012 by PA

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has urged his players to take advantage of the "once in a lifetime" opportunity to play a Champions League final on home soil at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern host nine-time European champions Real Madrid in the first leg of their semi-final tie on Tuesday night and Heynckes believes the fact the final will be held in Munich provides his players with even more incentive against Jose Mourinho's men.

"It is certainly a very special motivation that the final takes place in the Allianz Arena," he said at the pre-match press conference.

"This is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity."

With Bayern all but mathematically out of the running for the Bundesliga title, victory in Europe is now their main priority.

Saturday's goalless home draw with Mainz left them eight points adrift of leaders Borussia Dortmund with only three games remaining.

"Of course it is important for us to be successful," said Heynckes.

"We still have chances in the Champions League and in the DFB-Pokal, and when you have a tie like this, the desire to win titles is decisive.

"I can feel that within the team. We have already shown in the Champions League this year what we are capable of."

Tuesday's match will be an even more special occasion for Heynckes, who led Real to glory in the 1998 Champions League and spent eight years coaching in Spain.

"Of course I know Real Madrid very well, but I have got to say they are even more dangerous and effective this season," he said.

"Spanish football is currently leading the way at the moment. Barcelona are defining a new era.

"It is going to be an interesting match between two sides with a great tradition - between two of the best sides in Europe."

Bayern captain Philipp Lahm, who was rested at the weekend, says he and his team-mates are fully focused on becoming the first side to play in a `home' Champions League final.

"Bayern are in the semi-finals of the Champions League and we will never lose our hunger for titles," he said.

"The league is history - that is a different story. We still have goals. We probably won't win the Bundesliga, but we are in the semi-finals of the Champions League and in the DFB-Pokal final."

Bastian Schweinsteiger is Heynckes' only doubt since he has yet to reach top condition after two recent injuries.

Real coach Mourinho has called up a full squad of 24 players for the trip to Germany, including the Germany internationals Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil along with former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin.

Former Bayern midfielder Hamit Altintop is also part of Real's travelling party as the Primera Division leaders look to keep alive their hopes of a double this season.

Xabi Alonso, who has also been passed fit for the trip, told the Spanish club's sponsors Bwin that scoring in Munich will be the key to reaching the final.

"Playing the first leg away from home, we want to score as this gives you an advantage," he said.

"That is why we will go there to score. We are 100% motivated for it.

"It (reaching the final) would be a major achievement for all of us and we are so determined to make it."