German football legend Franz Beckenbauer says Bayern Munich can beat Real Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League semifinal first leg, if it learns from its mid-week German league defeat at Borussia Dortmund. Bayern lost 1-0 at the league leader Wednesday, with Dutch star Arjen Robben seeing a late penalty saved, and the defeat leaves second-placed Munich six points behind with four games left in the Bundesliga. Real Madrid now stands between Bayern and a place in the Champions League final at Munich's Allianz Arena on May 19 and Beckenbauer says the hosts should aim for victory at home in Tuesday's first leg. “If they produce the same performance they showed in the second half (at Dortmund), then they certainly have a chance to turn over Madrid,” said ex-Bayern president Beckenbauer, who captained and coached West Germany to World Cup titles. History favors the Bavarians as Madrid has lost 10 of its 18 matches against Bayern and in four previous ties between the teams at this stage, the Germans have gone on to reach the final on three occasions. Defeat in mid-week has left Bayern facing an uphill task in the league, but they remain in contention for two other titles, with a German Cup final against Dortmund coming up on May 19. “We still have two competitions. These are the goals that we should focus on now,” said Philipp Lahm. Sir Alex laughs off Mancini mind games Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has rubbished claims by Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini that the Premier League title race is over. Ferguson's side, which entertains struggling Aston Villa Sunday, saw its lead at the top of the table cut to five points with five games remaining after a shock midweek defeat at Wigan. Second placed City can move within two points of its title rival if it beats Norwich Saturday. Yet Mancini, speaking after his side's win over West Bromwich Albion Wednesday, conceded that the title race was over and that United had ‘fantastic spirit'. Ferguson clearly believes Mancini's comments are meant to take the pressure off his players and heap it on United. The Scot laughed off Mancini's claims and insisted the race for the Premier League is still very much alive.
