Bayern coach Heynckes dreaming of home final glory

BAYERN MUNICH coach Jupp Heynckes admits he has started to dream about winning the Champions League final at the Allianz Arena next May.

The Bundesliga side host Napoli tonight knowing a win would take them one step closer to the goal of contesting the final at their home ground, but more importantly it would put them in control of their own destiny in Group A, a group that includes Manchester City.

“I think it is legitimate to think about it [the final] and it spurs my team on to think about that,” he said.

“But we are in a competition with Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid and maybe some other strong teams too.

“Certainly the three I have mentioned are the favourites, but then again, why would it not be possible for us to reach the final too?’’

Beating Napoli would not be enough to guarantee Bayern a place in the last 16, but it could give them the chance of sealing their passage in their next home game against Villarreal.

“Of course we are in a good position and we want to cement that with a win,” said Bayern midfielder Toni Kroos. “If we do win, then we will be very well placed for the last two games and for our aim of winning the group.’’

Napoli welcome back striker Goran Pandev, who has recovered from a hamstring injury that saw him miss his team’s last five games, including Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Catania.

Elsewhere, in-form Real Madrid can secure their spot in the next phase when they take on Lyon, but playmaker Mesut Ozil is not expecting it to be easy at Stade Gerland.

Madrid are the only side still boasting a 100% record at the midway point of the group stages and their 4-0 mauling of Lyon in the last round of matches left them five points clear of both the French side and Ajax in Group D.

That means another victory tonight will secure Madrid’s place in the knockout stages with two games to spare, and the manner in which Jose Mourinho’s men swept aside Lyon a fortnight ago bodes well for the nine-time European champions.

However, Ozil expects Lyon to provide a different challenge in front of their own fans, saying: “At home they are stronger and they play with more confidence in themselves. As well as that, they usually play in a more aggressive manner.”

Meanwhile, Inter Milan striker Diego Milito is confident he and his teammates can put their domestic woes behind them and beat Lille in tonight’s Group B encounter at the San Siro.

Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Juventus was Inter’s fifth loss in nine league games and left the Italians one place above the Serie A relegation zone.

“It’s a difficult time for us as things aren’t going our way,” Milito said. “But we are a top team and I’m sure we will overcome this moment.

“We want to win and finish top of the group and in order to do so, we must get three points against Lille."