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25 April 2012| last updated at 07:43AM

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Germans expect 'hell' in Madrid



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MUNICH: Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said he expects today's Champions League semi-final return leg at Real Madrid to be like a trip to "hell".

Bayern hold a slender 2-1 lead from last Tuesday's first-leg in Munich with Germany striker Mario Gomez scoring the 90th-minute winner after Real midfielder Mesut Ozil had earlier scored what could prove to be a crucial away goal.

"We have great respect for Real, but no fear, even if we are expecting hell in the Bernabeu Stadium," Rummenigge said.

"The last-minute goal has given us a small chance, but it will be incredibly difficult. We have to concentrate fully and put a tight performance in defence."

Rummenigge says Bayern must not try just to defend against Real and should do all they can to score an early goal.

"We have to try and put pinpricks in their defence to get a goal," he said. "Sitting back and defending won't achieve anything against such a strong attacking side."

Bayern fans are dreaming of contesting the Champions League final at their own Allianz Arena in Munich on May 19 against either Chelsea or Barcelona and the trophy has already arrived in the Bavarian city.

"Of course it is our big dream to reach the home final," said Rummenigge. "We'll do everything we can to make the dream come true.

"It would be fantastic, historically no team have reached the final in their own stadium."

No team have won the Champions League title in their own stadium, but Inter Milan were the last team to lift the European Cup on home soil when they beat Benfica 1-0 at their own San Siro Stadium 1965.

Bayern must be careful at the Bernabeu as seven of their squad could be forced to miss the final should they reach it.

Defenders David Alaba, Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boateng, Philipp Lahm, plus midfielders Luiz Gustavo, Toni Kroos and Thomas Mueller will each be suspended for the final if any of them pick up another yellow card in Madrid.

"My players are very intelligent," said coach Jupp Heyncles. "They know exactly when to go for it and when to hold back.

"They can prevent a yellow card if they are very concentrated and focused on what happens on the pitch." AFP

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