Ballack aims to master Madrid

If FC Bayern München needed something to revive what has been a mixed season for the German champions, a game with arch European rivals Real Madrid CF was perfect. So when Madrid visit the Olympiastadion tonight for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League first knockout-round tie, Bayern will be fully motivated - not least playmaker Michael Ballack.

Final heartbreak
Ballack, who hopes to recover from bronchitis in time to play, has his own history with Madrid. Two seasons ago he was the inspiration as Bayer 04 Leverkusen reached the Champions League final, only to come unstuck in Glasgow against the side from Spain's capital.

Early disappointment
Ballack had already agreed to join Bayern, but last season proved a disappointment in this competition as they left the tournament after the first group stage, without even the consolation of a UEFA Cup berth. However, the club went on to claim the German double with ease.

Mixed form
This term, form has been mixed. Another group-stage exit was only avoided with victory against RSC Anderlecht on Matchday 6, while SV Werder Bremen lead the Bundesliga by seven points. Still, with the Spanish champions on the horizon for a match so big Bayern players have been threatened with a fine for publicly uttering the words 'Real Madrid', Ballack was typically confident.

'We can beat Madrid'
"Of course we can beat Madrid," he told uefa.com. "I think we can beat every team, even though Madrid are a huge name. They have some great players in the side and they are the favourites in every game, but they can lose."

Formidable midfield
Madrid themselves are determined to make up for their failure to progress beyond the semi-finals in 2002/03. With Zinedine Zidane, Luís Figo and company now bolstered by David Beckham, their midfield is as strong as ever, and Ballack is the man charged with ensuring the home team do not lose the centre of the field tonight.

Madrid have so many good players in their ranksMichael Ballack

Praise for opponents
The 27-year-old said: "Madrid have so many good players in their ranks like Beckham, Figo, Ronaldo, Raúl [González] - they are all world-class players and Zidane is also one of them." But Ballack will not be marking the French international. "I have never played directly against him," he added. "We play different positions and I do not think we will meet too often on the pitch."

New Beckenbauer?
Bayern's golden age in Europe's premier club competition was the early to mid-1970s when they were three-times winners between 1973/74 and 1975/76. Franz Beckenbauer was the fulcrum in those days, and Ballack has often been compared to the great man, not least because he also helped Germany to a FIFA World Cup final in 2002.

'Nice to be compared'
Ballack admitted it was an honour to be rated alongside Bayern's club president. "I rarely saw him play, but obviously it is nice to hear," Ballack said. "He is a huge personality in German football, but I still try to play in my own style. However, it is nice to be compared to him." Success in the Champions League would only enhance the likeness.