GREAT CHANCE
Former German international Franz Beckenbauer has said that Bayern Munich would have had a much better chance of reaching the Champions League final had they been playing against Borussia Dortmund in the semifinals. Instead, Bayern Munich will be playing against one of the strongest teams in the competition over the last five years – Barcelona. The Spanish club has won this trophy an incredible three times in the last seven seasons. As a result, they are the favourites going into the match at the Allianz Arena. This will be the first league match, which will be followed by the match at the Camp Nou in a week’s time.
Beckenbauer, though, has said that this is a great draw for German football since it gives them an opportunity to have an all-German final at Wembley. Borussia Dortmund have had success against Real Madrid earlier in the season when the two sides met each of the in the group stages. They are expected to dominate the first leg since it will be at home. Bayern Munich have been one of the best teams in the competitions so far. They are also regarded the strongest in terms of a squad strength as well. Yet, Beckenbauer reckons that Barcelona will be providing a strong test.
“My first reaction was from a Bayern perspective, that this was not a ‘dream draw’. I would have viewed Dortmund as an easier opponent than Barcelona, the world’s best club team. But my second reaction was: these are two super draws for German football. Our team has an incredible stability. We have a very good chance because of the form that we are in. But there is [Lionel] Messi, Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta, who were born [to play] for one another,” said Beckenbauer in an interview given to German tabloid Bild.
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