Klinsmann inspired by Camp Nou challenge

Jürgen Klinsmann was not downhearted after his FC Bayern München side drew FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, saying the players had a chance "to test our strength against the best European team at the moment".

'Something extraordinary'
The 44-year-old won two UEFA Cups but never Europe's top club competition during his illustrious playing career, and came up against Barcelona four times as a striker for AS Monaco FC and Bayern. Although he lost both games with the French side, he enjoyed more success with Bayern and is undaunted by his first encounter with the Catalan giants as a coach. "This is an enormous opportunity," he said. "It is a very tough draw but it's also something extraordinary. Barcelona will be a high obstacle, but anything is possible. We have faith in ourselves and don't have to be afraid of anyone."

Bayern unbeaten
The two teams have met four times in European competition, with Bayern yet to be beaten. The German champions triumphed 2-1 at Camp Nou after drawing the first leg of a 1995/96 UEFA Cup semi-final, with Klinsmann appearing in both matches and Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola featuring in the first. They faced off again in the 1998/99 UEFA Champions League group stage, with Bayern winning 1-0 at home and 2-1 again in Spain.

Friendly relationship
The clubs have also been in opposition in pre-season friendlies in each of the last two summers at Camp Nou, with Barcelona winning both games. They prevailed 1-0 in August 2007 in Mehmet Scholl's farewell match, while on 23 August last year they won 4-0, including two goals for Samuel Eto'o. Barcelona president Joan Laporta said: "I feel a little sad that we've been drawn against Bayern because of the great relationship we have. It will be tough because we'll have to play the return leg away – it makes the challenge a tougher one but that in turn means the rewards will be higher. They will be magical nights and we won't be able to switch off for a second."

Home advantage
Bayern, whose captain Mark van Bommel is a former Barcelona player, visit Camp Nou for the first leg of the quarter-final on 8 April, with the tie concluding in Bavaria on 14 April. Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness felt getting the away game out of the way first would stand his side in good stead. "We always said that if we drew one of the big names, we'd like to play the second match at home, and that's what has happened. For our fans it will be a dream come true when we face Barça at our stadium in the return match."