Van der Vaart relishing Bayern clash

Hamburg’s Rafael van der Vaart says he enjoys facing Saturday’s opponents Bayern Munich more so than any other club in world football.

The Netherlands international has taken on the biggest clubs in Europe throughout his career, but has now said no opponent fires him up quite as much as the Bundesliga leaders.

“I must admit that Bayern are my absolute favourite opponent, even more so than Barcelona,” Van der Vaart was quoted as saying by Bild.

“There is no other team in the world which I enjoy locking horns with so much. I am raring to go.

“If we beat Bayern, everybody at Hamburg will feel that everything’s possible this season. And I don’t see why a win would not be possible.”

Hamburg are seventh on the Bundesliga table, 11 points behind leaders Bayern.