Bayern boss ready for 'fierce' Bernabeu clash



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Posted Wednesday, April 25, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes is bracing himself for a 'fierce' night at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Wednesday as the Bavarians look to book a place in the Champions League final.

Bayern travel to Madrid for the return leg of their semi-final with a 2-1 lead from last Tuesday's first leg at Munich's Allianz Arena, the stadium which will also host the final on May 19.

With Real's star-studded attack boasting the likes of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, France's Karim Benzema and Germany's Mesut Ozil -- who scored Real's away goal in the first leg -- Heynckes knows Bayern face a tough challenge.

"It's extremely important we play to our full potential," said Heynckes, who coached Real to the 1998 Champions League title.

"We have to give it 100 or even 110 percent. The last 10 percent comes from emotional energy. If we succeed, we have a big chance of making the final.

"We're aware that we'll need a goal or two, although we're capable of that because we have outstanding forwards.

"But for a start, we have to keep it compact and tight, which will give us very good opportunities on the break."

Either Barcelona or Chelsea, who meet in Tuesday's other semi-final second leg, await in the final with the English club holding a slender 1-0 lead.

Bayern's first-leg victory was achieved thanks to a 90th-minute winner from Mario Gomez after Ozil had cancelled out Franck Ribery's opener.

Seven Bayern players, including captain Philipp Lahm and attacker Thomas Mueller, are in danger of being suspended for the final if they get another yellow card at the Bernabeu.

"It was five players even before the first leg, so we all saw they can deal with it," said Heynckes.

"It's all a question of alertness, you have to concentrate totally on the match and your tackles.

"It shouldn't play a role. You can't pull out (of your tackles), because one thing is certain, it'll be fiercely fought at the Bernabeu.

"We'll see all the best ingredients football has to offer."



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