Bayern Munich will be looking for revenge when facing Inter Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Leonardo feeling confident as Van Gaal says holders haven't changed
Bayern Munich will be looking for revenge when facing Inter Milan in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League in a repeat of last season's final.
A Diego Milito brace secured Inter a historic treble last term, but the Champions League holders have experienced plenty of change since last May.
Jose Mourinho left Inter to take charge at Real Madrid - the scene of the European success - and his replacement Rafa Benitez lasted only six months.
Though Benitez did win the Club World Cup, the former Liverpool boss was ditched in December to be succeeded by former AC Milan coach Leonardo.
The Brazilian will, therefore, be overseeing his first European tie as Inter coach and is confident his team will live up to their status as holders.
Motivated
"The team have reacted well after a difficult time and now we are very motivated for this game," said Leonardo.
"Every team have strengths and weaknesses. In the Champions League there are big players, big teams and big goals.
"It's as if there's more desire to play in this competition. The games are more open and I like this attacking mentality.
"We are the defending champions and we can beat anyone. We will fight with all our strength and we have already proved we can react against any difficulties - this gives me belief. We will perform like champions."
Inter will be without last season's final hero Milito due to a thigh injury, but former Bayern defender Lucio is back after a similar problem.
Wesley Sneijder will be recalled after being rested in Serie A action at the weekend, while Esteban Cambiasso and Dejan Stankovic are fully fit.
January signings Giampaolo Pazzini and Christoph Knasmuller are ineligible, but Houssine Kharja, Andrea Ranocchia and Yuri Nagatomo could be involved.
Defensive
Bayern coach Louis van Gaal has moved to play down the thirst for revenge, but does not believe Inter have changed much since last season.
Van Gaal said: "We can't compare a final with the round of 16. The team have changed, some players have arrived, some others left. Maybe some players are still thinking about that game, but everybody knows we want to win and last season's final has nothing to do with that.
"After Mourinho left I don't think Inter changed that much. Some players are still injured, some recovered but that's not important, probably the only big change is the coach.
"The most important thing is that they did not change how they played. If you watched the final or if you watch Inter playing every week, they play defensively."
Bayern striker Mario Gomez has shrugged off an ankle injury to be available and Toni Kroos is also in contention after a metatarsal problem.
Ivica Olic is a long-term absentee due to a knee injury as Bayern look to secure an advantage to take back to the Allianz Arena.
