Bayern Munich go from 'sausages to superstars'

Despite Bayern Munich's 7-0 rout of FC Basel, club president Uli Hoeness has scoffed at suggestions that the Bavarians are now among the favourites to win the Champions League.

Germany striker Mario Gomez scored four goals and Dutch winger Arjen Robben netted twice on Tuesday as Bayern blasted Basel in the Round of 16 tie to reach the quarter-finals.

Munich's Allianz Arena hosts the final on May 19 but Hoeness quickly scotched all talk of Bayern now being among the favourites to lift the trophy.

"Be sure to browse the list of teams yet to come. You can't talk about the final yet," said Hoeness, who could not resist mocking the reporters' enthusiasm only two weeks after unflattering headlines followed a 2-0 defeat at Leverkusen, their second defeat in three games.

"For 14 days, Bayern were a bunch of sausages, now they should be superstars!

"There's Barcelona, there is Real Madrid (who play CSKA Moscow on Wednesday) or perhaps AC Milan.

"There are still teams involved who are all top notch and if you take them on in anything less than top form, you have no chance.

"They will have no fear of us."

The draw for the Champions League's quarter and semi-finals takes place at UEFA headquarters in Nyon on Friday with APOEL, AC Milan, Benfica, Marseille, plus defending champions Barcelona all through.

Chelsea and Napoli plus Real Madrid and CSKA Moscow are still to meet on Wednesday night in the Round of 16.

With reports, which the club later denied, having circulated last week suggesting Bayern were set to part company with coach Jupp Heynckes at the end of the season, Hoeness rounded on the German media.

"It's the ups and downs that pisses me off," he fumed.

"The coach is the one who pulled this off, now you can go and apologise to him!"

But after such a devastating display from Bayern, Basel coach Heiko Vogel said Munich must be allowed to dream of winning the final on home turf.

"With this brilliance, Bayern don't need to fear anyone," he said.

But having lost both of their last two away games, Bayern will need to improve away from home if they are to realistically have a chance of winning their first Champions League title since 2001.