Bayern Munich boss Ottmar Hitzfeld expects Aberdeen to be geed up to the same level in Germany as they were for last week's Pittodrie thriller.The Dons, level at 2-2 in the tie, will be praying for another heroic performance in Bavaria in the UEFA Cup on Thursday evening but Hitzfeld knows his side cannot afford to underestimate the Dons.

Bayern's European campaign could end embarrassingly prematurely, having been jolted by Aberdeen's performance last week, but Hitzfeld expects his players to raise their game and power into the last 16.

And he claims Bayern's first-class pitch will allow them to play to their strengths.

Hitzfeld said: "As favourites to win the final, it is necessary that we beat Aberdeen.

"But they are going to defend. They will run, be aggressive in the tackle and fight for every inch of land, which is their philosophy.

"On a better pitch than the one in Aberdeen last week, we hope to prove our superiority tomorrow."

Bayern's Italy striker Luca Toni is confident the threat from Aberdeen will be negated, providing the Bundesliga giants show their true colours.

The Dons twice took the lead against their illustrious opponents last week, but Toni expects things to be different on Thursday.

"Bayern are superior to Aberdeen," he said.

"We have got to demonstrate that we are stronger and go through.

"Aberdeen may be good, but we are FC Bayern."

Toni scored a hat-trick for Bayern in their 3-0 win over Hannover in the Bundesliga on Sunday and will again lead the line against Aberdeen.

Alongside him will be Miroslav Klose, in a partnership coach Ottmar Hitzfeld described as "an ideal attack" - despite the fact Klose has not scored in the last two games.

"I am happy with both players," said Hitzfeld.

"Toni scored three goals at the weekend and Klose moved a lot, creating holes for Toni to then get into."

Toni added that it was "laughable" to criticise Klose for not scoring for two games.

"What would happen if he did not score for five games?" he said.

Toni is on course for the Bundesliga golden boot award and is currently the UEFA Cup's top scorer after netting six times so far this season in Europe.

Nevertheless, Klose emphasised that football is a team game and taking the plaudits personally comes second.

"Toni is a player who scores because he has a team behind him which put him in position to score," said the 29-year-old.

"I am the striker, so it is my job to score, but behind me, I have an excellent team."

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