Bayern coach dreaming of CL glory

Bayern coach dreaming of CL glory

Published Nov. 2, 2011 1:15 p.m. ET

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 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.

"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.

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"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?

"First we have to get through the group stage, though, and that is my priority right now."

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.

"We have reached nothing yet and we will be bearing that in mind."

Kroos seems quite sure of his place in the starting XI having established his place alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger this season.

And Schweinsteiger should recover from a knock he picked up at the weekend to keep his place in the starting XI, while defender Daniel van Buyten is also likely to be fit.

"We will train afterwards and I expect both to play," said Heynckes.

"They were clearly better yesterday. Both have light injuries, but I presume that they will both start tomorrow."

Napoli welcome back striker Goran Pandev for tomorrow's match.

Pandev has recovered from a hamstring injury that saw him miss his team's last five games, including Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Catania.

That result was Napoli's third loss of the campaign and dropped Walter Mazzarri's side to fifth in Serie A.

Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis believes that setback will not hinder his team as they look to leapfrog Bayern into top spot in Group A.

"We have already put the defeat to Catania behind us," De Sanctis said.

"We are looking forward to the game in Munich, which will be a difficult and important one.

"To be able to get a positive result would boost our chances of qualifying to the next round.

"We are going there aware that we can do well but knowing that Bayern is a great team."

Napoli have impressed during their debut season in the Champions League.

They are unbeaten and lie two points behind Bayern and one point clear of third-placed Manchester City after three games.

De Sanctis believes his team can do well in Germany provided they show the same character that saw them hold Bayern to a 1-1 draw in Naples two weeks ago.

"We need to play the same way we did against them at the San Paolo stadium - with determination, focus and discipline," he said.
 

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