Bayern must not take Lisbon lightly, insists Rummenigge

Bayern Munich avoided a European heavyweight in Friday's draw for the last 16 of the Champions League, but chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge warned against taking Sporting Lisbon lightly.

While the Bundesliga champions avoided the likes of current Champions League holders Manchester United, English giants Chelsea or Spain's Real Madrid, Rummenigge says they must make a good start in Portugal.

The first leg will be played at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon on 25 February next year with the return at Munich's Allianz Arena on 10 March 2009.

“I think it's a good draw for us, but I want to caution against underestimating this team,” Rummenigge warned.

“I'd like us to lay the groundwork for success in Lisbon.”

Although the Portuguese runners-up and domestic Cup winners represent a significant hurdle for Bayern, the men from Munich were spared a daunting tie against the likes of Inter Milan, Chelsea or Real.

“It could have been a lot harder for us,” Rummenigge acknowledged.

The last sixteen draw has thrown up no fewer than three England v Italy clashes, including the meeting between holders United and ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho's Inter.

“We'll take each round as it comes, but we're aiming to make the quarter-finals at the very least,” Rummenigge said.

But Rummenigge is refusing to dream about the German giants reaching the final at Rome's Olympic Stadium on May 27.

“It would be fantastic if we could make it to the semi-finals again, but I'm not even dreaming of the final just yet,” added Rummenigge.

The last team Bayern and Lisbon met in Europe's elite club competition was in the group phase two years ago.

Bayern won 1-0 in the Portuguese capital, with a goalless draw at the Allianz Arena.

Sporting currently lie fourth in their domestic league while Munich are second in the German table.