When the draw for the last four of the Uefa Champion League was made, the stand out tie was always going to be a date between arguably the best two clubs in Europe and in the world at the moment- Bayern Munich and Real Madrid- not taking nothing away from the other draw that paired Chelsea and the "Giant Killer" Athletico Madrid.
Bayern is aiming for an incredible fourth finals in five seasons but will have to overcome a familiar foe in Real Madrid who they knocked out on penalties two seasons ago.
The players are realy itching to get down to business again and move one step to closer to defending their title which no team have done since the era of the UCL.
Captain, Philip Lahm feels the clash with Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. represents the toughest test Bayern could have expected prior to the draw - but is nonetheless excited about the challenge of trying to end Madrid's latest bid for a 10th European Cup.
"It's a fantastic semi-final," the versatile defender stated. "Two big clubs with a lot of tradition will meet each other.
Bayern against Real - it can't get any bigger in European football at the moment.
"We want to prevail and reach the final, no doubt about it."
French international winger Franck Ribery is equally enthused by a tie that he feels is almost guaranteed to produce goals given the two teams' footballing philosophies.
"It's difficult draw," said the Frenchman. "Two of the best
attacking sides of the world will meet. It will be two great
matches. I really hope that we can reach the final."
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer - who was the hero of Bayern's
penalty shootout victory over Madrid in the semi-final clash of 2012 - is expecting spectacular scenes in the Spanish capital when all four sides come face-to-face across two matchdays in the city.
"I'm looking forward to playing again at the [Santiago]
Bernabeu," he said. "I have many positive memories when I think about that stadium. It was crazy to win the second leg of the semi-final two years ago on penalties.
"And I am curious about the mood in Madrid because Real and Atletico will play at home first. There will be supporters of all four semi-finalists in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday. It surely will be a big party."
goal.com
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