Javi Martinez, Bayern Munich’s midfield linchpin, has admitted he did want his side to draw Real Madrid in the semi-final of the Champions League.
The Bavarian outfit are in the Spanish capital to play the first leg of their clash with the nine-time European Cup winners before the teams face each other again in Germany next week.
The Bundesliga outfit won the last meeting between the pair – the 2011/12 semi-final – on penalties. And Martinez, who plays for the Spanish national side, told journalists that Los Blancos are stronger than they were last time out.
“They’re getting better, they’re more compact and strong. I didn’t want them in the semi-finals of the Champions League. They’re the toughest we could have faced,” he said.
The former Athletic Bilbao man also spoke of the danger Carlo Ancelotti’s men pose on the break and warned his defenders they must be at their best to stop them. Cristiano Ronaldo should be fit to play, and the Portuguese has already scored 14 goals in this season’s competition alone. His next goal in the Champions League will mark his 50th in the competition as a Real Madrid player.
“They’re very dangerous on the break. [Angel] Di Maria, [Gareth] Bale – who scored in the Copa del Rey final – or [Cristiano] Ronaldo, if he plays, create a lof of problems,” Martinez said.
