Fergie excited by Bayern test

United ready for Champions League showdown

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 19th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fergie excited by Bayern test

Ferguson: Joy against Bayern in 1999

We've got to be confident we can progress. The Bayern tie is very difficult but if we negotiate that successfully we've got a French team in the semis. So it's looking good.

David Gill.
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Sir Alex Ferguson is looking forward to locking horns with Bayern Munich again in continental competition.

Manchester United have been paired against the German giants in the quarter-finals of this season's UEFA Champions League.

The two old foes have not met in Europe's premier club competition since 2001, when Bayern sent United packing in the last eight.

However, the most memorable meeting between the pair came in the final of 1999, when the Red Devils secured a dramatic victory at Barcelona's Camp Nou with two late goals.

Their rivalry is now set to be rekindled, with Ferguson admitting that he expects a tough test against the Bundesliga leaders.

"The history of playing Bayern in past European ties tells you it's going to be a very difficult tie for us," Ferguson told the club's official website.

"It'll be a fantastic atmosphere in both games. They have a great stadium and a good pitch and we're up against a good, experienced team."

Confident

Ferguson is also hoping that he will have the chance to field a full-strength side against Louis van Gaal's men.

"Hopefully we'll have everyone we need for the game and, if we do, then we have got a good chance," he said.

Meanwhile, chief executive David Gill is optimistic regarding United's chances of landing the Champions League crown.

They have been handed a favourable draw, with Lyon or Bordeaux waiting in the semi-finals should Bayen be successfully dispatched.

"We're playing well and Sir Alex and the players know what to do in the latter stages of this competition," he said.

"We've got to be confident we can progress. The Bayern tie is very difficult but if we negotiate that successfully we've got a French team in the semis. So it's looking good.

"Without doubt [it looks like a good route to the final]. But this is the best competition in club football so there should be eight great teams in the quarter-finals.

"We can't get carried away. One of Sir Alex's strengths is not to do that. We've got to concentrate on that first game, get them back to Old Trafford with an away goal, and hopefully we'll progress."