Hitzfeld gives Kahn backing

By Mark Bennett in Munich

FC Bayern München coach Ottmar Hitzfeld refused to criticise Oliver Kahn after his mistake gifted Real Madrid CF a late equaliser in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round first-leg tie.

'A shame'
Bayern captain Kahn allowed a Roberto Carlos free-kick under his body with seven minutes left as Madrid scrambled an unlikely draw. But Hitzfeld insisted: "Oliver was in outstanding form during the group matches and we wouldn't even be here without him. Obviously it is a shame for us and for him that he made a mistake this evening."

Return-leg confidence
The Bayern coach went on to warn anyone against writing his side off before the second leg on 10 March. "We knew from previous encounters that Madrid are not unbeatable," he said. "This evening we put them under a lot of pressure and had a lot of chances. Sometimes we were a bit unlucky and sometimes we lacked the coolness to score more goals. I am, however, sure that we will have our chances in Madrid, too."

Mixed emotions
He added: "I always knew we could play as well as we did tonight, even though we haven’t looked like a good side in the last few weeks. I am very happy with the way we played. The result is the only bad thing." That and the news that defender Bixente Lizarazu picked up a thigh injury and will struggle to make the return.

Ballack important
Hitzfeld also had words of praise for Michael Ballack who, having been sidelined for the last two weeks with bronchitis, returned with an all-action midfield display tonight. "I had a long talk to Michael yesterday and told him that he could play if he felt up to it," Hitzfeld revealed. "He obviously did and it was great to have him out there today."

Queiroz pleased
Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz was relieved to have escaped from Munich with a draw - having lost on all seven of their previous visits to Bayern. "I know we did not play the same sort of game everyone is used to," he said. "We did not control the match as much as we would have liked to, but that just shows how well Bayern did."

'We will improve'
Queiroz admitted that the match had been tough on his side. "Bayern put us under a lot of pressure and we had a few lucky escapes," he said. "However, do not forget that they were at home and a match in the Olympiastadion is tough for any team in Europe. I am sure we will improve in the return leg."

Beckham looking ahead
These teams will not need to spend too long reacquainting themselves with each other in a fortnight. Tonight's fixture was a record 16th meeting between the teams in European competition - and Madrid's David Beckham cannot wait for game No17.

'Tough match'
"We will have to concentrate fully in the return leg because so far only half of the job is done and the match in Madrid is still wide open," said the England captain. "It was a tough match and Bayern played very well. We are happy that we got an equaliser.”

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