Dons inspired by Bayern memories

There is sure to be an air of nostalgia when Aberdeen FC welcome FC Bayern München to Pittodrie tonight, as their UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie evokes another European encounter of 25 years ago.

Defining moment
Then, Bayern went to northern Scotland having been held 0-0 at home in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup quarter-finals, and Aberdeen delighted their fans with a 3-2 second-leg victory on their way to lifting the trophy against Real Madrid CF in Gothenburg. Willie Miller captained Aberdeen that night and, now the club's director of football, the former Scotland defender believes beating Bayern was the defining moment of a memorable campaign.

'Incredible performance'
"That game had everything: drama, excitement and the underdog winning," Miller told uefa.com. "When you consider that we came from a goal down twice and scored two goals in the last 15 minutes, it was an incredible performance. The Bundesliga was recognised as the best league in Europe at the time, so we knew if we could beat Bayern we would take some stopping."

Rummenigge reunion
The players from that momentous meeting have been invited to tonight's match and, for Miller, it will mean a reunion with the man he marked, Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. "I kept him reasonably quiet over the two games but it wasn't just about me," said Miller. "Neil Simpson also subdued Paul Breitner in midfield and we showed great battling qualities to come from 2-1 behind. Karl-Heinz and Paul will join us for dinner after the game and I'm sure we'll reminisce as the evening goes on, but it's also about the current team and getting behind them."

Injured quintet
Aberdeen are showing signs of progress under manager Jimmy Calderwood, typified by the 4-0 group-stage win over FC København in December which clinched a last-32 place. However, with Richie Byrne, Jackie McNamara, Richard Foster, Jamie Smith and Derek Young all injured, Miller knows they face a daunting task and will need the same inspiration from a packed Pittodrie that they received in 1983. "The crowd kept us going that night and hopefully they'll also get behind the players on Thursday," added Miller. "It will be difficult with so many players out, and on the back of a 5-1 defeat to Celtic [FC] on Sunday. Whatever happens, everyone associated with the club can be proud of what these players have achieved this season."

Breno bow
Bundesliga leaders Bayern are depleted themselves. Oliver Kahn has flown home ill and with deputy Michael Rensing troubled by back pain, 41-year-old goalkeeping coach Bernd Dreher is on standby for a possible first European outing since 1996. Franck Ribéry remains out with a torn thigh muscle, Mark van Bommel hurt his knee in Sunday's 1-1 Bundesliga draw with Werder Bremen, while Willy Sagnol, returning from a long absence, will be rested along with sick defender Daniel Van Buyten. Brazilian new boy Breno comes into the squad for the first time while left-back Marcell Jansen may make his comeback from an ankle injury sustained in November.