Battle of the giants as Real and Bayern square up

MANAGERS Zinedine Zidane and Jupp Heynckes both believe the blockbusting Champions League semifinal between holders Real Madrid and Bayern Munich is wide open.

The two sides, both giants of the European game, meet in the first leg of their eagerly-anticipated last four tie at the Allianz Arena tonight.

Madrid, who are bidding for a 13th European crown and a third i n succession, beat the Germans in last year’s quarter-finals but coach Zidane insists that counts for nothing.

The Frenchman, speaking at a pre-match press conference, said: “It’s a semi-final – it’s completely different to last season. It’s a different match.

“We are prepared for that, knowing that we are going to have to suffer.

“Bayern are a great club with great team spirit. I have no doubts that mentally we will be at 150%.”

Opposite number Heynckes echoed those thoughts as he conducted his pre-match media duties.

The veteran German said: “Both of our teams will provide us with attractive football. There are big players and it will be an open game. For me there is no favourite but I have a good feeling.

“We have had success in the Bundesliga, reached the final of the cup and we want to cap that with the final of the Champions League.”

Heynckes has guided both clubs to Champions League glory in the past. His success with Real in 1998 — beating a Juventus side that included Zidane in the final — ended a 32-year wait for European success at the Bernabeu.

Heynckes, also a winner with Bayern in 2013, said: “I have some great memories in the Champions League, 1998 for example. It was a fantastic feeling when the whistle went and Real were European champions again.”