Bayern wary of Samba-flavoured UEFA Cup rivals

Bayern Munich's Hamit Altintop (top) avoids a tackle from Hanover's Benjamin Lauth during a Bundesliga match on 25 August. Altintop has admitted the German giants will treat their Brazilian-flavoured UEFA Cup first round opponents Belenenses just like any other rival.

Bayern Munich midfielder Hamit Altintop has admitted the German giants will treat their Brazilian-flavoured UEFA Cup first round opponents Belenenses just like any other rival.

Bayern drew the Lisbon-based side in Friday's draw and play host at the Allianz Arena on September 20 before travelling to Portugal for the return fixture scheduled on October 4.

Belenenses finished fifth in the Portuguese league last season, but despite previously failing to get past the UEFA Cup's second round they are packed with creative Brazilians.

On paper, Bayern are favourite for the UEFA Cup - but Altintop says the Germans can't afford to make any slip-ups.

"I have never heard of Belenenses or ever seen them play," said the Turkish international.

"But whether or not they are a big name doesn't matter - often the teams without a big history are the most dangerous to play against, because they have nothing to lose.

"We will have to be on our guard."

Bayern missed out on a Champions League place for the first time in 11 years and are expected to reach the last stages of the UEFA Cup having splashed out 69 million euros over the summer in a high-profile recruitment campaign.

Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, who has twice been at the helm of Champions League winning sides, was pleased with their draw, especially from a logistical point of view.

"I am happy," he said.

"Belenenses are the sort of team we will have to deal with if we are going to progress in this tournament.

"And the direct airline connections to Lisbon are ideal, I don't know much about our opponents, but that is something I will have to work on."