Bayern’s Spanish contingent not eyeing revenge, don’t think Atletico are owed anything

There has been plenty said in the build-up to Atletico Madrid and Bayern’s Munich’s clash on Wednesday at the Vicente Calderon; And so there should be.

A team managed by Pep Guardiola and expected to win every game they played were disarmed and dumped out of the Champions League last year by Diego Simeone’s charges in the semi-final. While the game that followed might not have lived up to Atletico’s liking, Bayern might feel if they made it to the final against Real Madrid, they would have won.

There is plenty to be excited by with the first game between the sides this year too. Carlo Ancelotti’s exceptional Champions League record - he has won three and two European Cups - along with whether Atletico can rebound from yet another final defeat are two aspects that are drawing attention.

And so, you have plenty of sound bites from players regarding last year’s two contests and what might happen in this game.

"Football never owes you anything. It doesn't give you any gifts. You have to go year by year, one game at a time game as Simeone says," Javi Martinez says, one of four Spanish players in the squad, about whether Atletico are owed at least one Champions League during Simeone’s reign.

Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso was asked whether they will be seeking revenge on Wednesday night. His response?

"No, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. That's football. We couldn't do it last year. They got to the final and we had to settle for watching it on television."

Make no mistake about it, however, Bayern Munich were stung after last year’s two legs, especially the 2-1 victory that ultimately proved insufficient following a limp performance in the first leg at the Vicente Calderon.

Many of the same faces remain but the main man in the dugout has changed and this the entire philosophy and style of play has been overhauled. Can they do what Pep couldn’t and get one over on Simeone and Atletico? Maybe, but Xabi Alonso doesn’t think it will be an act of revenge.