Matthäus names Bayern top favourite for Champions League title
Former German footballer Lothar Matthaeus stands on the pitch ahead of the FIFA World Cup European Qualifying Group A soccer match between Germany and Northern Ireland. Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa Former captain Lothar Matthäus has named Bayern Munich top favourites for the Champions League title despite difficult upcoming tasks. Bayern were to host record winners Real Madrid later on Wednesday in the second leg of their quarter-final tie.
Bayern won the first leg 2-1 in Madrid but went out in the last four knock-out ties against Real. If they reach the semi-finals they will meet title holders Paris Saint-Germain but former Bayern and Germany great Matthäus believes that Vincent Kompany's team has the class to go all the way to a seventh title in the elite event. "This unity on the pitch, this joy they have together - I see Bayern Munich as favourites, as well against Paris and for the title," Matthäus said.
The 1990 World Cup winner is convinced that Bayern will advance against Real, "if nothing extraordinary happens, a red card or own goals. "