By Sportswriter Oliver Trust
BERLIN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Considering the past of Jupp Heynckes, the draw for the last-eight round of the 2017/2018 Champions League could be favourable for Bayern Munich.
Looking for an expert on Spanish football in Germany, one inevitably ends-up with the 72-year-old. The former striker spent half of his life in Spain and still counts on strong connections to his former clubs and La Liga.
Heynckes and his Bavarian squad face five-time Europa League winner FC Sevilla in the quarter-final.
Call it a lucky draw or not, Bayern and Heynckes avoided the Spanish giants Real Madrid or FC Barcelona and at the same time his side is facing the so-called Spanish underdogs.
The duel is Bayern's first challenge against Sevilla in Champions League history.
Heynckes rejected comments mentioning a lucky draw. "In my experience, so-called top teams are easier to play. I just remind you of the 2013 semifinal when we had to face Barcelona," Heynckes said.
Bayern's coach said he does not share the widespread optimism about a lucky draw. "I can't share the enthusiasm of some commentators. I know the Spanish football well, and I know Sevilla is hard to beat," Heynckes told the media.
The 2017/2018 campaign is Heynckes' third appearance in the Champions League. Twice he reached the final and both times he won the trophy. In 1998 Heynckes was successful with Real Madrid, and in 2013 he led Bayern to the top.
Unlike his coach, Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich couldn't neglect to mention a "certain degree of joy" in the Bavarians' locker room when the team watched the draw on TV.
"We have a good chance to make the next round. It is no secret that Sevilla is presumably a much easier draw than Real or Barcelona," Ulreich said.
Bayern sports director and former professional footballer, Hasan Salihamidzic called it an advantage to first play in Spain and then in the Munich arena. "We know exactly about Sevilla's quality as they just eliminated a top side like Manchester United," Salihamidzic said.
Like Salihamidzic, Bayern left-back David Alaba warned his side not to underestimate their opponent. "For good reason, they have got that far. We better face the game with full concentration," the Austrian born defender stressed.
