For Walter Junghans and Hans Jörg Butt, Sporting Lisbon used to be the proverbial red rag to a bull. The Bayern pair both spent time with Benfica, Sporting's bitter city rivals. Junghans worked in the Portuguese capital as a goalkeeping coach from 1999 to 2001, while Butt spent last season as Benfica keeper.
The Munich goalkeeping specialists are now set to return to Portugal with Bayern for the Champions League last sixteen tie against Sporting. The duo spoke to fcbayern.de about Sporting, Lisbon and the match.
Double interview: Walter Junghans and Hans Jörg Butt
fcbayern.de: Walter Junghans, you spent two years in Lisbon. What was it like?
Junghans: "Lisbon is a fantastic city. The climate is pleasant, I got along very well with the locals, and it's obviously nice to be so close to the sea. I had a great time there.“
fcbayern.de: And what are your memories of the Portuguese capital, Jörg?
Butt: "It's a fabulous city. The River Tejo flows into the Atlantic there, the old town is sensational, and the people are warm-hearted, open and great with kids. We sensed all that as a family all the time. It was a great life there. I'm looking forward to revisiting Lisbon.“
fcbayern.de: Bayern are unlikely to be received with trademark Portuguese hospitality at the Estádio José Alvalade.
Butt: "It's a terrific new stadium, and it's bound to be a capacity crowd. The Portuguese are football mad.“
Junghans: "I've never been to the stadium, but it's certain to be seething. When I was with Benfica, our games against Sporting were always the highlight of the season. It was always intense, and it wasn't always good and clean. Even the ball-boys go at it aggressively.“
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