Thomas Broich admits he still harbours bad memories of Manchester United, 14 years after they beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.
Broich, a Munich native, grew up supporting the German club and says the defeat is still fresh in his mind.
“It was devastating,” the 32-year-old said on Tuesday.
“I’m a Bayern supporter and back in 1999 we had to suffer a terrible defeat.”
But the Brisbane Roar midfielder is keen to wipe that from his mind on July 20, when the inaugural A-League All Stars face United at ANZ Stadium.
Broich was on Tuesday named among the squad’s first three players, alongside Sydney FC’s Brett Emerton and Nikolai Topor-Stanley of Western Sydney Wanderers.
And while Bayern have won two Champions League titles since 1999, Broich is relishing the chance to come face-to-face with their former foes.
“I’ve always looked up to that team and, for a few years, they were the top team in the whole world,” he said.
“But I’m not nervous, I’m really excited about it.
“It’s an honour to be a part of this.”
The sold-out match will also reunite Broich with the man he won two A-League titles with – former Roar mentor Ange Postecoglou, coach of the All Stars side.
Broich says it will be a special occasion for the pair.
“I owe Ange big time on and off the pitch, and together we had some of the most important times of our careers,” he said.
“It’s going to be huge.”
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