Humble ambitions for the Champions League

German Champions Bayern Munich have lowered their expectations for this season's Champions League - but they will still expect to defeat Spartak Moscow in Group B on Tuesday. It really is not an easy task.

The fact the Allianz Arena is not even a sell-out for the visit of Spartak tells its own story as the Bavarians prepare for what they admit is likely to be just a short European adventure this season.

Indeed, after losing 4-1 to AC Milan in the San Siro in the second round last term - eventually going out 5-2 on aggregate, Bayern have accepted they are no longer one of the leading clubs in Europe.

"We have to go into the Champions League with a touch of humbleness," chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge expressed.

We ust remember that since winning the competition in 2001, Bayern have failed to make it beyond the quarter-finals.

Even reaching that stage this season would be regarded as a success.

"We have got to come through the group stage, that is all you can ask of us," said coach Felix Magath.

To join group favourites Internazionale in the last 16, it is imperative Bayern make a winning start at home to Spartak.

"We have got to pick up the points we need against Moscow and Sporting Lisbon," said Dutch forward Roy Makaay.

But despite defeating Spartak 5-1 the last time the two clubs met in Europe five years ago, Bayern will not be expecting a repeat of that result on Tuesday.

The Russian outfit have taken several leaps forward in the intervening years and the money from sponsors Lukoil has allowed them to almost keep pace with Bayern in the transfer market recently.

No longer are the wages on offer in Russia uncompetitive, which is one reason why former 1860 Munich player Martin Stranzl is now employed by the team from the Russian capital.

And the results are beginning to arrive too, with a 2-2 draw against city rivals CSKA Moscow at the weekend keeping Vladimir Fedetov's team within three points of the Premier Liga summit.

Now they must prove themselves in Europe, however, and as they prepare for their 200th game on the continental stage, a look back to their last Champions League campaign will provide the necessary motivation to succeed.

Four years ago, Spartak lost all six group games, scoring just once and conceding 18 goals.

On Tuesday, they have the unique opportunity to set the record straight and with Bayern looking far from their usual selves in a 2-1 German Cup win over third-division opponents St Pauli at the weekend, there could be a surprise in store.