Manchester United now stand between Munich and their first semi-finals appearance since winning the trophy in 2001. “We’re delighted to be in the last eight, but the players and I want more,” Louis van Gaal declared before the home meeting with United in front of a 66,000 full house at the Allianz Arena.

“We’re really looking forward to the United game. It’s always tremendous against the really big teams,” confirmed keeper Jörg Butt. Saturday’s defeat to Stuttgart has been consigned to history. “We’re looking to the future,” the 35-year-old added. “The Champions League is a different competition. What’s happened in the last league game counts for nothing,” said captain Mark van Bommel on the eve of Bayern’s 350th game in Europe.

The Bayern camp is buzzing with determination ahead of the clash with the favourites. “We’ve proved we’re a decent side in the games against Juventus and Fiorentina. Now we’re up against the top level, and it’s a massive challenge,” Van Gaal observed. “We need to show how far we’ve come on as a team,” commented Philipp Lahm.

History favours Bayern, who have lost only one of seven meetings with United, although that was the dramatic last-gasp defeat in the 1999 final in Barcelona. The current United squad features four men from that era, namely Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Wes Brown and Ryan Giggs, who made a sparkling comeback at the weekend from a long lay-off with a broken arm.

Schweinsteiger suspended

The Premier League champions will be at full strength in Munich, but the home side cannot yet call on their first-choice line-up. Mario Gomez resumed the team training programme on Sunday after recovering from a ruptured calf muscle, and Martin Demichelis, who suffered multiple facial fractures while playing for Argentina four weeks ago, appeared as a late sub against Stuttgart wearing a protective mask. Gomez is likely to begin on the bench, but Demichelis could start.


Bastian Schweinsteiger, out of the match with suspension, will be a hard man to replace “Bastian’s very important to the team. Losing him for such a crucial match is a blow,” acknowledged Lahm. Van Gaal declined to confirm who would play instead of the Germany international alongside Van Bommel in central midfield.

No risks with Robben

Arjen Robben is still rated doubtful after straining a calf muscle at the end of Saturday’s Bundesliga fixture. “We need a player like Robben against United and we’ll do everything we can, but if he’s not 100 percent fit, he won’t play,” said Van Gaal. “I don’t want to take even the slightest risk. He’s not injured, but the muscle is tired.” If Robben fails to make the squad, the hopes of the Bayern faithful will rest more than ever on Franck Ribéry. The France star has made two substitute appearances in the last week, and could start on Tuesday for the first time since the Round of 16 return against Fiorentina.

Ribéry could provide the inspiration up front, but the real focus will be on Bayern’s defence, as keeping a clean sheet at home is so crucial in Europe. “We must keep our shape and work hard as a defensive unit. We have quality in attack, we’re always good for a goal,” said Lahm. “We actually don’t need to win. A goalless draw would be a decent result,” Van Bommel insisted.

FCB know they will need to be on peak form to make the semi-finals at the expense of United, who are unbeaten in their last 16 Champions League away fixtures. Van Gaal is well aware of that. “We can spring a surprise against anyone,” the Bayern boss declared: “We’re not yet a top team at the very highest level, but in a single game, we’re capable of getting a result.”

mama-gee:

Wow, I hope Manchester United win this match!

Manutddude:

Love us or hate us, we're always united. And we don't need scumbags like u lmao