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Self-belief was key, says Hitzfeld

By Clifford Coonan

MUNICH, Germany, April 2 (Reuters) - European champions Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Real Madrid 2-1 in a thrilling Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, Claudio Pizarro striking the winner two minutes from time.

Eyes on the ball... Jens Jeremies and Ivan Helguera in Munich
(Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)
The Peruvian's goal came after Bayern captain Stefan Effenberg, who had just missed a penalty, drew the home side level six minutes earlier.

Real, playing Raul alone up front, utterly dominated the first half, imposing a steady pace on the game and producing flashes of brilliance from French international Zinedine Zidane.

But Bayern staged a dazzling recovery in the second half to overturn the lead earned by Cameroon midfielder Geremi, which Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said was a true sign of his team's character.

Hitzfeld, well aware that Bayern knocked out Real Madrid in the Champions League with two victories in the semifinals on their way to the title last season, said the display of character augured well for the second leg.

'We are more optimistic after this game,' he said.

'My team showed great morale and self-belief. The victory was well-deserved because of the second half. We had more of the game in the second half and applied more pressure.'

'Real made things tight for us in the first half, we couldn't find any room and they showed some great individual skills.'

Hitzfeld singled out playmaker Effenberg for particular praise for the way he came back after missing the penalty.

'Effenberg never gives up, even if things are going against him. His goal was important not just for him but for the whole team,' Hitzfeld said.

The result means that Bayern are unbeaten at home in the Champions League since December 1997.