LONDON, 24 February 2004 — Bayern Munich and Real Madrid will set one new European soccer record and equal another when the Champions League resumes at the do-or-die stage this week after its winter break. When they clash in Munich today in the first leg of the first knockout stage it will be their ninth meeting in the Champions League — one more than the record of eight they share with the ties between Manchester United and Juventus, Galatasaray and Barcelona and Real Madrid and Porto.
When they meet again in the second leg in two weeks’ time at the Bernabeu for their 16th overall competitive European clash they will set a record all-time European head-to-head tally, one more than the series of games between Real and Inter Milan.
Their previous 14 matches have seen nine wins for Bayern, four for Real with one match drawn but the Spanish champions start as favorites to emerge on top from this knockout round. Real, who play their 100th Champions League match today, are near peak form after forging five points clear in the Primera Liga with a 4-2 win at Espanyol on Saturday.
Bayern have a doubt over playmaker Michael Ballack. Germany keeper Oliver Kahn (back problems) should return.
European champions AC Milan will also be looking back at history as they aim to get past Sparta Prague, who have never scored a goal against them in four previous European meetings. Sparta were busy in the transfer window but failed to make up ground on leaders Banik Ostrava on Saturday. But they will need to be on top form against a Milan team buoyed by a sensational 3-2 comeback win over Inter on Saturday.
The English trio of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea face contrasting away legs this week. Arsenal, who are also chasing an FA Cup and League double, look too strong for a Celta Vigo side struggling in the Spanish league — despite wins over Milan and Ajax Amsterdam in the group phase of this competition.
Celta are back in relegation trouble after losing 2-0 at home to Malaga on Saturday and returning to European competition could be a dangerous distraction for Radomir Antic’s side. Celta will likely be without Jesuli.
Chelsea’s expensively-assembled team now have only one trophy to play for after defeat in the FA Cup to Arsenal last week and being effectively knocked out of the title race. They could still harbor Champions League ambitions in two weeks’ time after opponents Stuttgart warmed up for tomorrow’s first leg by losing 1-0 to lowly Kaiserslautern on Saturday.
Manchester United, who, like Real, will play their 100th Champions League match, travel to Portuguese champions-elect Porto with defender Mikael Silvestre doubtful and Rio Ferdinand suspended.
