Bayern fly European flag for Germany

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn celebrates after his team advanced to the quarter-final stages of the Champions League. Germany's hopes of glory in European club competition rest solely on the broad shoulders of Bayern Munich following their 3-2 aggregate win over Arsenal.

Germany's hopes of glory in European club competition rest solely on the broad shoulders of Bayern Munich following their 3-2 aggregate Champions League win over Arsenal.

Bayern lost 1-0 at Highbury on Wednesday - with Thierry Henry scoring for Arsenal - but edged into the quarter-finals courtesy of their 3-1 first leg victory in Munich.

"Bayern turned in a great display in London to make up for Leverkusen and Bremen's tame exits," the Bild daily lauded Thursday. "Magath's side save our blushes."

"Only one team left in - a poor return," declared magazine Kicker.

Bayer Leverkusen crashed out of the Champions League at the hands of Liverpool by a 6-2 aggregate scoreline, while German champions Werder Bremen were hammered 10-2 by Lyon over two legs.

"It is unfortunate that we are the only ones left," said Bayern handler Felix Magath.

"We'd like our rivals in the Bundelsiga still to be in there, but it shows how much Bayern still do for German football in international competition."

Seven German teams qualified for European club football but Bayern are left flying the flag after Schalke 04, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Bochum and Alemannia Aachen all failed to reach the last sixteen of the UEFA Cup.

"German teams have great tactical discipline but other European sides simply have better players," explained Argentina's 1978 World Cup winner Mario Kempes. "They are technically better and play superior football."

Bayern have been the exception this season and Magath claims his troops can repeat the Champions League victory of 2001.

"Our chances of winning the Champions League have improved with Barcelona, Manchester United and Real Madrid now out," declared Magath.

"If we can beat Arsenal we can overcome anyone and now have to set the target on lifting the ultimate prize."

German international Sebastian Deisler echoed his manager's comments claiming the likes of Juventus, Chelsea or AC Milan are welcome opponents.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room is great," admitted Deisler. "We have no reason to be afraid of anyone and are more than capable of defeating other big sides in the next round."