Kahn and Bayern prepare to toil
Friday, December 16, 2005
Article summary
"Now we know that we will be running through the forests this winter," said Oliver Kahn after FC Bayern München were paired with fellow giants AC Milan.
Article body
Realistic hopes
These esteemed clubs have won the European Champion Clubs' Cup on ten occasions – Milan six and Bayern four – and each will feel they have realistic hopes of going all the way again this time around. Milan just missed out last season, reaching the final against Liverpool FC only to lose on penalties after surrendering a 3-0 half-time lead.
Galliani dismay
Milan are particularly keen to put that memory behind them, but had hoped to be spared a duel with a fellow favourite until later in the competition. Vice-president Adriano Galliani said: "We wanted to avoid teams that are dominating their domestic leagues like Chelsea [FC] and Bayern, and unfortunately we got one.
'Difficult team'
"We have a good tradition against Bayern and we hope to beat them again, although we have not been fortunate to draw such a top European club at this stage, even if we were aware of the possibility. Bayern are a very difficult team to face but we cannot fear any one."
Italian edge
Bayern's record against the Italian club does not make good reading. The Bundesliga side have won just one of their six encounters, with Milan claiming four victories. The Rossoneri got the better of them the last time they met in the 2002/03 first group stage, winning both matches 2-1 with Filippo Inzaghi scoring all but one of their goals.
Notable meeting
Most famously, the teams faced off in the 1989/90 European Cup semi-finals, with Milan going on to lift the trophy after prevailing on away goals following a 2-2 aggregate draw. Bayern, therefore, have plenty to prove and will hope to do that when they stage the first leg on 21 February before the return in Milan on 8 March.
'Wonderful draw'
Bayern coach Felix Magath preferred to focus on the positive. "This is a wonderful draw for us," he said. "We need to have a night such as last year against Arsenal [FC]. I hope we will be able to win the first leg, hopefully without conceding." Captain Oliver Kahn was also looking forward: "This is a great draw for us. Now we know that we will be running through the forests during the winter break." It will be well worth the effort if Bayern can end their Milan hex.
