"The atmosphere can be intimidating" – Kahn warns Bayern ahead of Bernabéu showdown against Real Madrid
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Oliver Kahn has sent a warning to Bayern Munich over the difficulty of playing at Santiago Bernabéu ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
The former FC Bayern Munich and Germany goalkeeper has experienced a lot over his career, including playing at the iconic stadium in Madrid – so he's well aware what awaits his former club.
“Ninety minutes at the Bernabéu are as exhausting as nowhere else,” Kahn told Süddeutsche Zeitung.
“The crowd in Madrid is far more intense than in Barcelona; it feels like everything is pressing down on you. The atmosphere can be intimidating. And now, with the roof, it’s even stronger.”
According to Kahn, Real Madrid’s challenging season could actually work in their favour, driving them to end on a high.
“Real come from a period where they had to overcome many obstacles – there was criticism, unrest, a coaching change. And then, suddenly, success against Manchester City, and they feel: Now we can turn the season around. That is exactly what makes Real so dangerous,” the 56-year-old argued.
Bayern have historically struggled at Santiago Bernabéu, with their last away win against Real dating back to 2001, when they won 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.
