Hamann says old sides will come up short in Champions League

1.2214154-3189593709 — Bayern Munich's striker Thomas Mueller arrives for a training session at the trainings ground of FC Bayern Munich in Munich, southern Germany. Image Credit: AFP

Dubai: Depleted Bayern Munich lack strength in depth to beat Real Madrid, and free-scoring Liverpool will stop Roma’s comeback, says former Bayern and Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann of this week’s Champions League semi-final second legs.

Real carry a 2-1 lead into their home tie with Bayern on Tuesday, while Liverpool are 5-2 up heading into Wednesday’s away leg with Roma, who came back from 4-1 down to beat Barcelona on away goals in the quarter-final.

With Robben and Boateng out, added to Neuer and Vidal, I don’t think Bayern will have the strength in depth to cope with Madrid’s power.”

- Dietmar Hamann | Former Bayern and Liverpool midfielder

“It will be tough for Bayern,” said Hamann, who played over 100 games for the Bavarians between 1993 and 1998, winning two league titles and the Uefa Cup.

“With Arjen Robben and Jerome Boateng out, added to Manuel Neuer and Arturo Vidal, I don’t think Bayern will have the strength in depth to cope with Madrid’s power.”

Meanwhile, of Roma’s chances of another comeback, Hamann, who won the 2005 Champions League with Liverpool, with whom he played almost 200 games between 1999 and 2006, added: “With the way Liverpool are going at the moment it’s very hard to not see them score, and that will mean that Roma need to score four or more.

“Obviously two late goals to a neutral observer made it more interesting,” he said of the first leg. “And Liverpool have left the door open.

“But if you ask me can I see them coming back? I think it is highly unlikely, I fully expect Liverpool to go through.”

Asked then if Liverpool can beat Real in a potential final, he replied: “In a one-off game you can beat anyone, so yes Liverpool have a chance but I think they have got to be at their absolute best to beat Real.

“Madrid beat Munich last week without really being at their best and that shows how much confidence they’ve got and how much trust and belief they have in each other.

“They also did it more or less without Cristiano Ronaldo who was non-existent for a change.

“With Marco Asensio, Mateo Kovacic and Karim Benzema coming on — Gareth Bale didn’t even come on — it shows they’ve got about 15 to 16 players of the highest level who all complement each other.

“The other thing for Liverpool is, like Bayern, the injuries to Adam Lallana, Emre Can and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, mean personality-wise it’s very thin for Liverpool.

“They don’t have too many on the bench and that can make a difference, so it will be tough.”

Whoever wins the Champions League though will determine who gets the Ballon d’Or, according to Hamann.

“Mohammad Salah is certainly a contender and if Liverpool win the Champions League, I would give him the Ballon d’Or. But if Madrid win then I think it would be very hard to argue against Ronaldo.”

Hamann was talking to Gulf News ahead of Thursday’s DHL Swing Against Cancer Golf Series event at Jumeirah Golf Estates, where he is playing and partaking in a post-match question and answer session during the gala dinner and auction. To attend email info@swingagainstcancer.com or visit www.swingagainstcancer.com.