Bayern need a miracle, says Beckenbauer

Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer said his team would need a miracle if they are still to qualify for the second round of the Champions League after Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to AC Milan.

Bayern suffered their second home loss in two weeks on Tuesday, a Filippo Inzaghi double inflicting the damage and ensuring the visitors a perfect start to their European campaign. Bayern, with just one point from three matches, trail Milan and Deportivo Coruna on nine and six points respectively.

"Just one point is clearly not enough. We need a miracle if we are to qualify for the second round. Winning in Milan and La Coruna is no easy task after we've lost to each of them at home," Beckenbauer said after watching the game.

Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld suggested the 2001 champions were not yet in need of divine intervention, but said it was clear what the team had to do to avoid the bleak prospect of a first round exit.

"I'm very disappointed not to have got three points... We know we now have to win in Milan," he said.

Bayern travel to Italy on October 23. Hitzfeld said he expected Milan to be more attacking-minded in front of their home fans after a defend and counter-attack strategy in Munich.

Ironically, Bayern did not play badly, as both coach and president said, but a painful miss from Elber at the end of the first half and promising drives from Michael Ballack and Ze Roberto were not enough.

"Our problem today is that, although we played well, we didn't make the most of our chances," said Beckenbauer.

DEFENSIVE FAILINGS

Hitzfeld acknowledged defensive failings.

"After we let in that first senseless goal you could feel the uncertainty. But we had the game in our hands, pressured them and certainly had more goalscoring chances. Again, after we levelled, we should never have lost," he said.

However, he did pay tribute to Milan's double scorer, Inzaghi, now with seven goals from his first three Champions League games.

"It shows just how dangerous he is. We really gave him very little."

A contented Milan coach, Carlo Ancelotti, expressed cautious optimism that his team had done enough to qualify for the next round after two wins away, Tuesday's victory coming a week after a 4-0 drubbing of Deportivo.

"Perhaps the win was not as glorious as last week against Deportivo, but I'm certainly pleased by it and I know it's as important. I'm fairly optimistic now," he said.