Limping Bayern face Real test against mighty Madrid

Familiar foes Bayern Munich and Real Madrid pit their wits against each other once again in the tantalising Champions League tussle at the Olympic Stadium as two powerhouses of European football target a place in the quarter-finals.

Incredibly it is the fourth time in five seasons that the two teams have locked horns in this competition with Madrid triumphing 3-2 on aggregate during their last meeting in 2002 at the quarter-final stage.

Spanish champions Real, who have won the Champions League a record three times since its inception, are favourites to progress once again but Bayern can take heart from their superior head-to-head record.

In their last nine meetings in Europe's premier competition 2001 champions Bayern hold a six to three advantage, with 4-1 and 4-2 drubbings during the group phase in the 1999-2000 season particularly memorable, although it is worth noting that Real went on to lift the trophy.

Bundesliga champions Bayern have been a shadow of themselves all season and limped to a 1-0 home win over SV Hamburg on Saturday courtesy of a late Martin Demichelis goal.

"Real Madrid certainly have a spy here and he will not believe what he has just seen," said vice-president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

A river of pessimism is running through the Munich camp ahead of the visit by Madrid summed up by president Franz Beckenbauer.

"Real are the better team and I would say there is a 70 percent chance of us being eliminated," confessed Beckenbauer.

While Bayern are struggling for form Real are flying high at the top of the Spanish league and warmed up with a comfortable 4-2 win over Espanyol on Saturday.

"We will win the game," explained Real's French World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane. "We are always really motivated when we play a team such as Bayern and that is why we are not worried."

The return of a rested England captain David Beckham from suspension is a major boost for manager Carlos Queiroz and the dynamic midfielder admits the game will rekindle memories of 1999 when he defeated Bayern 2-1 in a Manchester United shirt to win this competition.

"I have some great memories against Bayern," explained Beckham. "If we want to win this tournament we have to beat high-calibre teams such as Bayern Munich."

Four-time European champions Bayern had the chance to sign midfield dyanmo Beckham from Manchester United but could not afford the transfer fee of 35 million euros.

"Beckham was offered to us a few seasons ago but it would have cost too much," admitted general manager Uli Hoeness. "But I have to take my hat off to Real as Beckham's performances on the pitch have been exceptional."

England international Beckham will hope to show Bayern that he would have been worth the fee - perhaps with a trademark free-kick.

Real Madrid's clean bill of health is in stark contrast to the personnel problems in Bavaria with midfielder Michael Ballack a major doubt after failing to overcome bronchitis.

The former Champions League finalist with Bayer Leverkusen missed Germany's friendly win over Croatia last Wednesday and Bayern's victory over SV Hamburg three days later.

Club captain Oliver Kahn is also struggling with a back complaint, sustained on international duty, but coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is hopeful that the goalkeeper can win the race against time.

"I am pretty sure that Kahn will be back for Tuesday," said Hitzfeld.

If the German international fails to make it 19-year-old Michael Rensing faces a baptism of fire against Ronaldo and company.

Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro and Croat defender Robert Kovac are two other doubts for the tie.

Neither side will need psyching up for a showdown between two of the most dominant European sides over the past few years.

In fact out of the last six Champions League finals only one - last season when AC Milan defeated Juventus - has failed to see Bayern or Real contesting for the holy grail.