Speaking our language

By Brian Brownstein

FC Bayern München's Zé Roberto believes his language skills could give the German side a clear advantage as they bid to overcome Chelsea FC in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final. The Brazilian star hopes to exploit the Portuguese-speaking contingent at the London club, by keeping his ears close to the ground in the first leg at Stamford Bridge tonight.

Spying role
"This new Chelsea side has great players, and everyone is really special there, so we will have to work as hard as always and just be smart," Zé Roberto told uefa.com. "I will be listening hard. The coaching staff and three of their players are Portuguese, so we might hear something during the game that could help us. This is very good for our morale."

Ideal draw
Zé Roberto is happy to have been drawn against the Premiership's runaway leaders and the midfield player believes Bayern have nothing to fear. The skilful left-footer is full of confidence and believes victory would make Bayern favourites to lift the Champions League trophy in Istanbul on 25 May.

Not afraid
"I am not afraid of Chelsea because I have been in Europe for seven years and I watch every game possible," said Zé Roberto who reached the Champions League final with Bayer 04 Leverkusen in 2001/02 though was suspended for the showpiece. "We will not make the same mistake as [FC] Barcelona and let Chelsea impose their game on us, not for a minute.

Important indicator
"Everyone talks about Chelsea as if they are something extra-terrestrial. I say that if we beat the most impressive team in Europe on Wednesday, we can beat anyone after that and win the Champions League title. That's why I thought this was a good draw for us."

Lucio cautious
Zé Roberto's compatriot and team-mate at first Leverkusen and now Bayern, Lucio, is more reserved about the Bundesliga club's chances. The centre-back believes the tie will be very tight and small margins will mean the difference between victory and defeat. "I don't think there is a favourite and this is one of those games where the team that has their biggest stars on form will win," Lucio told uefa.com.

'First objective'
"The battle will be in the midfield, so the quickest team may win," he said. "That is the key area of the game. However, in the first leg the idea is not to concede goals first of all. So I think we are going to have a very strong defence at Stamford Bridge. A clean sheet is our first objective."

Point to prove
Bayern were on the end of some stinging criticism earlier in the season, as the four-time European Champion Clubs' Cup winners qualified for the knockout stages of Europe's premier competition a distant six points behind Juventus FC in Group C. And despite beating Arsenal FC in the round of last 16, Lucio still believes the Bavarians have something to prove against Chelsea.

Additional incentive
"Our pride was affected earlier this season by the criticism we had back home," said Lucio, who scored in Leverkusen's 2001/02 final defeat by Real Madrid CF. "Not even our own supporters thought we could get this far in Europe and that's why we are going to go to Stamford Bridge feeling angry. We'll play with great determination."