Spanish trio and Bayern chase the `holy grail'

Spanish trio and Bayern chase the `holy grail'

Valencia (Spain), May 1: All four of them covet it equally after the most gruelling campaign in 45 years of European footballing history.

If past glories counted for anything Real Madrid would walk away with their eighth crown and second in three seasons, but that would cause a near riot in Barcelona, who have themselves managed just one - at Wembley in 1992.

To reach the May 24 final at the Stade de France the Catalan club must first puncture the dreams of outsiders Valencia in their semi-final first leg at the Mestalla stadium here tomorrow.

But if Bayern, who face Real on Wednesday in Madrid, have anything to do with it neither the `Merengues' nor Barca need to polish their trophy cabinets just yet.

Bayern have been waiting for a fourth continental title since 1976 and have `choked' memorably since, most notably in last season's final when they lost out in the final seconds to Manchester United.

A 1982 final reverse against Aston Villa and another in 1987 at the hands of Porto has only served to heighten the anguish of waiting.

By a curious twist of irony Valencia are the only club among the four survivors not to have previously lifted the famous trophy - seen as the sport's `holy grail'.

Yet the city actually has the real thing in continuous residence - if local folklore is to be believed as the ancient goblet reputedly lurks within the eastern city's cathedral.

Valencia has for decades served as a tourist gateway to the Costa Blanca but for Louis Van Gaal's Barcelona, who crave success all the more as the favourites, it can Tuesday be their gateway to glory.

The Catalan giants will have to pass through it, however, without talismanic Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo, who sits out a one-match suspension.

Barca had an appalling start to April as they lost four straight matches, conceding 12 goals. But they bounced back to thrash Chelsea and although they have forfeited the Spanish Cup, they are still snapping at the heels of jittery Deportivo La Coruna in the league.

Barcelona beat Valencia 3-0 in the Club's last meeting but lost the away league fixture 3-1.

Between them the clubs have smacked home 66 goals in Europe so far this season and they both wear their attacking hearts on their sleeves.

Valencia racked up their fourth straight win on Saturday, 3-1 at Rayo Vallecano to go sixth in the table.

Valencia's Romanian striker Adrian Ilie, nicknamed the Cobra, said he was optimistic Barca could be beaten over the two legs.

Valencia's progression to the last four will have Manchester United scratching their heads as the English Premiership champions waltzed past them 3-0 in a second phase match at Old Trafford.

Yet since then the Spaniards have turned the tables in some style with Valencia, who came through a preliminary round and who have now played 16 matches in the competition, ending Italian hopes by eliminating Lazio.

That theory can be tested Wednesday when Real, twice soundly beaten in leaking eight goals to the Bavarians in the group phase, try to take revenge on Bayern in the Bernabeu.

Real coach Vicente del Bosque, who took charge in November from John Toshack, is likely to plump for three central defenders with Helguera having a defensive but roaming role to release overlapping fullbacks Roberto Carlos and Michel Salgado.

They both have an attacking brief to hare down the flanks and the policy worked at Old Trafford.

Real's midfield is not as swashbuckling as Barcelona's but skipper Fernando Redondo is expert at pulling the strings in the centre of the park and England winger Steve McManaman has recently excelled in a roving role.

With Brazilian Savio also a master of the unexpected and Fernando Morientes and Raul capable of fireworks up front, Real are a force to be reckoned with - when the mixture gels.