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UEFA CUP: Biglia primed for Bayern task

/noticias.info/ Lucas Biglia is looking forward to "a tie fit for the UEFA Champions League" as his RSC Anderlecht side host fellow former winners FC Bayern München in the UEFA Cup.

Live coverage
The two teams will meet for the ninth time in European competition at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium on Thursday having met most recently in the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League group stage. Bayern may be rated by many as favourites to win the competition, but Biglia cannot wait to have a crack at the Bundesliga leaders, especially as the game will be on TV in his native Argentina.

Biglia excited
"Obviously, I am more excited over this match then I normally am," said the 22-year-old Biglia, whose side beat FC Girondins de Bordeaux in the Round of 32. "This is a tie fit for the UEFA Champions League. It is fantastic to play against superstars like [Luca] Toni and [Franck] Ribéry. My friends and family will also be able to see me live, as the match is being broadcast on Argentinian television. I want to progress to the next stage so I will only be satisfied with victory, and we are ready for that."

Striking worries
Coach Ariël Jacobs gave his side Tuesday off, explaining that "these players have been at the club every day for weeks", though he would like to see a few more of them around come Thursday. With Stanislav Vlček and Luigi Pieroni ineligible and Jonathan Legear (thigh) and Nicolas Frutos (calf) injured, Serhat Akın is now the only striker available for Jacobs. Mbo Mpenza will miss the first leg with a knee injury, ruing: "It's a real shame. I had a feeling I might have started. Maybe in the return."

Rensing deputising
Olivier Deschacht may start for Anderlecht after returning from a knee injury while Bayern will be without a defender of their own in Lucio, rested because of a groin injury, and iconic goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. Michael Rensing will start in his place, as he has in all of Bayern's other UEFA Cup away games this season. "Michael has already replaced Kahn in the past, so we are not worried," said Mark van Bommel.

Tougher proposition
Having trounced Aberdeen FC 7-3 on aggregate in the last round, Hitzfeld expects Anderlecht to pose his side some problems. "Anderlecht are definitely stronger than Aberdeen," he said. "This is a very physical side with lots of experience. They are well organised in defence and quick on the counterattack. We will have to be well organised and disciplined ourselves." notas_de_prensa_archivo