Barcelona Are Playing Very Well - Van Bommel

Mark van Bommel has admitted that Bayern Munich have a tough task ahead of them against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals, but thinks that having the home advantage in the second leg is very important.

The Dutch midfielder spent a year with the Blaugrana and helped them to win the domestic title and the European Cup in 2006 and is relishing facing his former club.

"It is complicated because Barcelona are a very difficult team to play because they are playing at the highest level," the Catalan club's official website quote him as saying.

"I think that Pep Guardiola has managed to produce a team that is playing extremely well. It reminds me of the level that we reached when we won the Champions League.

"It is important that we are playing the second leg in Munich. The year that I won it with Barcelona, all our ties had the second leg at Camp Nou as we played Benfica, Chelsea and Milan at home and it helped us.

"But the Blaugrana are one of the favourites to win the Champions League this year with the way that they have been playing."

Van Bommel left Camp Nou in the summer of 2006 and has enjoyed his time with Bayern Munich, although now he is looking forward to going back to his old stomping grounds.

"It is very exciting to be able to play again in Barcelona. It will be the first time that I have been back. The fact that I will be returning to what was my home for a year is very special," he added.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com