Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is wary of Bayern Munich, saying they are better than they were last season when the Spaniards beat them en route to the Champions League title.
Bayern, five-time European Cup winners, host the 12 time champions, Real, in a mouth-watering semi-final first leg Wednesday evening.
The Spaniards have won back-to-back Champions League titles.
Zidane may have been the first coach to lead a team to consecutive Champions League crowns.
But he knows he must win it a third time, in order to salvage what will otherwise be regarded as a disappointing season for the La Liga side with no silverware.
“To me they seem hungry for success at the moment. Of course when you have dropped out a couple of times in the semi-finals and last year in the quarter-final, then you absolutely want to be in the finals again. That’s obvious. So we are expecting a revved up and hungry Bayern Munich team,” says Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos.
“I think the team is in good shape, mentally as well as physically and we are prepared for the game and I think that all the players want to play this sort of quality game and this is an away game and I hope that we manage to play a good game,” says Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane.
The treble-chasing Bavarians are in sensational form ever since they parted ways with coach Carlo Ancelotti in October.
Bayern have already secured the Bundesliga title and have reached the German Cup final as well.
They are desperate for revenge after they were eliminated 6-3 on aggregate at the quarter-final stage by Zidane’s side last season, and in controversial circumstances.
“We have an extraordinary atmosphere within the team but this is the only way to be successful against the greatest. That’s why I’m very optimistic for the two games. Yet, it must be noted that the other side is a top team with a lot of international experience, including world champions and several Champions League winners. Faith can move mountains” adds Bayern Munich coach, Jupp Heynckes.
“They are really powerful in attack, really strong at the defence, they have a good balance in midfield. They are not for no reason two times winners. They are a hard team to beat especially in two games, but we are very confident, we are in a good moment and we will try our best to go to the final” says Jerome Boateng.
The match will kick off at quarter to nine on Wednesday night.
