GERMANY: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Press conferences by Bayern Munichas they train ahead of their second leg Champions League match against Real Madrid

The absence of David Beckham means Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has a lot less to worry about as he prepares for Wednesday's (March 07) Champions League return against Real Madrid. "As I said before, it is important for us that David Beckham is not playing", Hitzfeld said at a news conference on Tuesday (March 06) on the eve of the second leg at the Allianz Arena. Hitzfeld must still be having nightmares about the way his defence failed to deal with the former England captain in a 3-2 defeat at the Bernabeu two weeks ago. Beckham set up Real's second and third goals from set-pieces, and also played a part in the build-up to the first, and news that a knee ligament injury would keep him out of the return in Munich on Wednesday is a weight off the coach's mind. "Beckham's injury is a big blow to them," Hitzfeld said. at a news conference on the eve of the second leg at the Allianz Arena. "He's a player who can decide a game by himself with his delivery from set-pieces." Bayern believe they have plenty of reason to be confident going into the second leg of their first knockout round tie. The Bavarians have won their last two games in the league to get back in the title race, while the players seem a lot more relaxed since the return of Hitzfeld in place of Felix Magath at the start of last month. "We only ever had problems playing outwards, all of that and the fact that we have a great home balance and are among the best or even the best in the German Soccer League keeps me optimistic" goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn said on Tuesday. The result in Madrid means Bayern could go through on away goals if they can manage a 1-0 or 2-1 win and Hitzfeld wants to see a patient approach from his players. Hitzfeld is worried, however, that Real could be more dangerous away from home. In the Spanish league this season they have a poor record at the Bernabeu, having lost three and drawn four of their 12 matches there so far.

ITN Source | March 6, 2007

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