We will score, vows Schweinsteiger
Bayern travel to Madrid with a slender 2-1 advantage from the first leg, but German international Schweinsteiger says they will score.
“I assume we will score a goal in Madrid. And we will. The chance to reach the final in our own stadium is motivation enough for us, but their stadium, with so many spectators and emotions, is sure to influence the game.
“In the first 20 minutes, it will be very intense, that is when we have to hold our composure and not concede a goal.
“A game like this is the highlight of the season, this is what you work hard the whole season for and the chance to play in a game like this motivated me through my injury.”
Bayern striker Mario Gomez scored the crucial 90th-minute winner in Munich to give his side the advantage going into tonight’s clash and Real coach Jose Mourinho says games like this are what being part of football is all about.
Real’s 2-1 El Clasico win at arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish league on Saturday night keeps them on course to win the La Liga title, but Mourinho knows nothing is decided yet.
“We can win two titles, one or none. This is the excitement of football that turns my hair grey,” joked the Portuguese coach, who won the 2010 Champions League title at the Bernabeu as Inter Milan coach.
“I see my players excited about this semi-final like my Inter players were two years ago before the semi-final against Barcelona. They just want to win it. Bayern are a great team, the coach is good and they have the right to think they are going to play the final.
“I also know what Bayern want to do. If they don’t score, they will be out and I think they will score.”
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes, who coached Real to the 1998 Champions League title, said the game will showcase European football.
“On Wednesday night, we will witness the creme de la creme of football games,” he said. “In terms of tradition, both teams are fantastic and for that reason it will be very even. If we think about what Real Madrid did in El Clasico at the weekend, that says an awful lot.
“Tonight might be even more difficult than we had envisaged because of what we saw on Saturday in Barcelona. I know the stadium from my time here and am aware the atmosphere will be very special.
“I have positive memories from here. It was very difficult to be coach of Madrid back then, just as I am sure it is today. I realised after I won the Champions League here just how much of an obsession it was for everyone involved with Madrid and all of their fans.
“Madrid need to score but we know we are also capable of doing so at any moment.”
Mourinho is also hoping for a change of luck in tonight’s semi-final. He claimed he had been bereft of fortune in previous matches at the last four stage after twice losing to Liverpool (in 2005 and 2007) — when at Chelsea — and again to arch rivals Barcelona last season — a defeat he blamed on a UEFA conspiracy.
“Overall I have not been lucky in semi-finals of the Champions League,” he said.
“I lost one with Chelsea (2005) due to a goal that wasn’t a goal, the ball didn’t cross the line. Another season (2007) we lost on penalties and when you lose a semi-final on penalties it is due to bad luck and I lost the semi-final last season because of what everyone knows.”
The Portuguese admits he also has more interest than usual in the other semi-final due to Chelsea’s involvement.
He said: “If it were Barcelona against Milan or Arsenal or any other team then it wouldn’t matter to me who progressed. I would want the best team to win, but because it is Chelsea I feel slightly different.
“I would like it if the luck went to my old players.”
Speculation continues to suggest Mourinho could quit the club in the summer. But the former Porto and Inter Milan boss insists he plans to stay.
“At the moment my future is not important, but I think I will be here next season,” he added.
“I have a contract and once we arrive at the end of the season I will have time to speak with the players and the directors and we will decide what is best for me, for the club and for the squad.
“It is better to stay at a club for four or five years.”
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