Bloody battle on the cards

On the eve of Bayern Munich’s semifinal clash with Real Madrid, the past seems to loom large on both the teams. This particular tie has brought out instances of bloody, nasty football and chances are people around the world would get see a reprise of that tonight at the Allianz Arena.

While the Bavarians have not much to expect in the domestic realm, with Borussia Dortmund laying a firm grasp on the Bundesliga trophy, Real have a different story to tell. In the La Liga they have managed to quell the dominance of Barca, but that has to do mostly with Barca dropping points to lowly Getafe among others. What Mourinho’s men have done is that they haven’t let the initiative go. However all will boil down to the El Clasico to decide whether Barca retain the title or not.

Coming back to the UCL clash, the stage seems set for a thrilling encounter with old scores looking to be resettled. A special occasion for Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes, who led Real to Champions league glory in 1997/98 season, ending a 32 year old spell for the Galacticos. While Heynckes will be watching from the sidelines, Arjen Robben would be mounting the charge on the field. Robben was part of the ill fated Dutch contingent that were “forced” to leave Real Madrid with the arrival of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. Real coach Mourinho has called up a full squad of 24 players for the trip to Germany, including the German 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. The pre match comments from Real director Emilio Butrageuno have attempted to dilute the tension surrounding the match. But how much the rivalry is played down, one will find it difficult to forget the sight of Roberto Juan Martinez, the Spanish Argentine midfielder’s nose broken by goalie Sepp Maier in the first leg of the 1975-76 European Cup semifinal. Or for that matter, Lothar Matthaeus, being spurned around in the 1986-87 European Cup semifinals, this time however at the Olympiastadion. Matthaeus had scored twice before being manhandled by Juanito and Manuel Sanchis, both curiously escaping the eyes of the Scottish ref Bob Valentine.

The war lines will be drawn here as well, as Jose Mourinho will sport what he once termed as his “ready for war” hairdo. Cropped far shorter than usual, it’s more GI Joe than GQ for the “Special One”. Like Madrid, Bayern has no new injury worries.

“We’ll pull everything out, we’ll fight, give everything to make it,” Bayern midfielder Thomas Müller said. The two teams have won Europe’s biggest club prize 13 times between them. Bayern head Real 10 to 6 in European encounters with Madrid scoring 23, while their rivals 30. The last time they met in UCL was on 7th March 2007 when Munich triumphed on away goals.

Midfielder Xabi Alonso feels it is crucial for Real to establish a good position at the halfway point in the tie ahead of next week’s second leg at the Bernabeu. “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 per cent motivated for it. Reaching the final would be a major achievement for all of us and we are so determined to make it.”

The two heavyweights will be slugging it out tonight as both will try to gain an upper hand based on their performances in the first leg. The sparks are sure to flow.