MUNICH - The absence of David Beckham means Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has a lot less to worry about as he prepares for Wednesday's Champions League second leg against Real Madrid.

England's Real Madrid player David Beckham reacts after injuring a ligament in his knee during his Spanish League soccer match against Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid in this Sunday, March 4, 2007, file photo. [AP]

Hitzfeld must still be having nightmares about the way his defence failed to deal with the former England captain in a 3-2 defeat at the Bernabeu in the last 16 tie two weeks ago.

Beckham set up the second and third goals from set-pieces, and played a part in the build-up to the first. News that a knee ligament injury would keep the midfielder out of Wednesday's return in Munich is a weight off the coach's mind.

"Beckham's injury is a big blow to them," Hitzfeld told a news conference on the eve of the return at the Allianz Arena.

"He's a player who can decide a game by himself with his delivery from set-pieces. We will still have to be careful at free kicks and corners but they'll be missing a quality player."

Real coach Fabio Capello said his team would overcome the loss of the in-form Beckham.

"Beckham was playing very well, we know that," Capello said at a news conference. "Now he's injured but we will look forward. It's bad luck and that's that."

Bayern believe they have plenty of reasons to be confident going into the second leg of the first knockout round tie.

MORE RELAXED

The Bavarians have won their last two league games to get back in the domestic title race, while the players seem a lot more relaxed since the return of Hitzfeld in place of Felix Magath at the start of last month.

"We're back on track," goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn said on Tuesday. "We've had a lot of problems and we're still not back to where we want to be but we are on the way.

"The return of Hitzfeld has helped us mentally."

The result in Madrid means Bayern could go through on away goals if they manage a 1-0 or 2-1 win and Hitzfeld wants to see a patient approach from his players.

"A goal in the 85th minute would be good enough," said the coach, who is nevertheless worried that Real could be more dangerous away from home.

They have a poor home record in the Spanish league this season, having lost three and drawn four of their 12 matches at the Bernabeu so far.

"They have a bit of a home complex this season," Hitzfeld said. "They will play better without the pressure of the home crowd and they will be very dangerous on the counter-attack."

For Capello, the key will be for his side to attack, and not just try to defend their lead.

"We can't come here thinking just about defence," the Italian said. "We have to try to score."