Getafe hurdle not easy, says Hitzfeld

Having seen Getafe CF account for two sides with European silverware in their cabinets on their travels this season, Ottmar Hitzfeld is determined his FC Bayern München team will not suffer the same fate when they welcome the Spanish outfit to the Bavarian capital.

Disparity
If raw facts speak for themselves then Getafe should hold little hope of reaching the UEFA Cup semi-finals in their maiden campaign on the European stage. The Madrid club's ten appearances in UEFA competition are dwarfed by four-time European champions Bayern's 327. Yet both coaches are well-aware that history will count for little when the players emerge at the Fußball Arena München on Thursday. So when Hitzfeld concedes that Bayern are favourites, it comes with the caveat: "we will have to work for our progress."

Impossible to ignore
Such caution is the consequence of some eye-catching results by Getafe. They beat two-time UEFA Cup winners Tottenham Hotspur FC in London in the group stage, before their progress to the last eight was smoothed by another 2-1 victory, this time at double European champions SL Benfica. Free-scoring Bayern have fairly sailed through too, although Hitzfeld is keen that they do not get ahead of themselves. "It's impossible not to notice Getafe's achievements in the UEFA Cup this season – winning at Tottenham and in Lisbon," said the 59-year-old, who may be without Mark van Bommel because of a cold. "We don't underestimate them – they are a team of class, belief and calmness and they represent very difficult opponents."

Home form
Storms may have preceded Bayern's press conference but the outlook is bright for the hosts. Seven points clear at the Bundesliga summit despite a 1-1 weekend draw at 1. FC Nürnberg, they will also contest the German Cup final on 19 April. And while Getafe have performed well on the road, Bayern possess an impeccable home record, losing just once in Munich this term – albeit against an RSC Anderlecht side they had already thrashed 5-0 in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie. Such strength is something Getafe coach Michael Laudrup is quick to acknowledge. "Nobody doubts Bayern's quality," he said. "We recognise and respect that quality, but we are going to do everything possible to counter it."

'Give it everything'
"Our chances are not 50-50. Bayern are favourites and I am not just being humble when I say that," the Denmark legend continued, adding with a smile: "But they are not quite as big favourites as some people make out." Getafe's preparations have been less than ideal, however. They lost 2-0 at CA Osasuna in the Primera División on Sunday, extending their winless run to three games. Cata Díaz has a sprained knee and Lucas Licht is suspended – an absence which Hitzfeld recognises as a "blow" for the visitors. Yet Laudrup remains optimistic, concluding: "If you look at the Bayern side from back to front then there are big-name players throughout. But we are going to give it everything."