Fergie still relishing European
For a competitive game, the magnificent Allianz Arena is a new stadium for United.
Their previous three trips to Munich were all to the equally glamorous Olympic Stadium, in the days before Bayern took up residence in a futuristic new home built for the 2006 World Cup.
It provides the perfect backdrop to an eagerly awaited Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash between two of Europe’s superpowers, who have seven competition wins between them.
And, for all the weight of trophies Ferguson has amassed down the years, it is the place he feels most comfortable.
“I have always dreamed about being involved in Europe,” he said. “When I first went into European football with Aberdeen, we played Real Madrid in the Cup Winners’ Cup final in 1983. That was the start of the dream.
“We played Bayern in the quarter-final that year and Liverpool on one occasion. They were nights you wanted to have all your life.
“When they changed the old format of the European Cup to the Champions League, (it was) all the best teams.
“You always hoped to play against the likes of Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern. “They are all in the tournament now. We have got our cake and everyone who is involved in Europe is eating it.”
It is a meeting that goes beyond normal boundaries, right into the heart of downtown Seoul, according to Park Ji-sung.
“The people in South Korea are very interested in this game,” he said. “Both clubs have created a lot of history in European football and people back home know what happened in 1999.”
There is certainly a wariness inside the United camp merely because of the history they face.
“I respect Bayern Munich,” said Ferguson. “I have great admiration for them as a club. We are playing history. A team with history has a certain pride and we have to remember that.”
Still, the odds are on a Red Devils advance to an Anglo-French semi-final against either Lyon or Bordeaux next month.
Louis van Gaal is happy enough to play the underdog card anyway, although Ferguson feels a bit of kidology is at play.
“He is a clever man,” smiled the United chief. “But I don’t pay any attention to that. They had one or two bad results recently but it doesn’t mean they are a bad team.
“We are not going to get carried away that this could be an easy game. It won’t be.”
Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand have shrugged off foot and groin problems respectively that kept them out of Saturday’s four-goal thumping of Bolton.
But there is an element of that advantage being countered by the knowledge that Chelsea are now resting up, preparing themselves for a Premier League blockbuster at Old Trafford on Saturday that will have a major influence on the destination of the title.
Bayern will then have to be faced again as the twin peaks of an unprecedented fourth consecutive title and third Champions League final on the bounce edge ever closer.
Little wonder Ferguson’s competitive juices are running hot.
“It is a massive week for us,” he said. “You have to enjoy it but it is also the time of year when it is crucial. It is going to be an exciting week and you hope not to make any mistakes.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
