Watzke: Germany doesn't have 'spanish syndrome'

Though the Bundesliga has become a two-horse race between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in recent seasons, fears that it might suffer the fate of Spain are unfounded, Dortmund boss Hans-Joachim Watzke said.

Champions League semifinalist Dortmund, which will take on Spain's Real Madrid on Wednesday in the first leg, won back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012 before surrendering the trophy to fellow semifinalist Bayern this season.

"Three years (to dominate in the Bundesliga) is not a lot," Watzke said before the much-awaited encounter with the nine-time European champion.

"German football has to decide what it wants. Does it want an evenly balanced league with a lower level? That is indeed possible - although Bayern would not be too excited about a prospect like that," said the club's CEO.

Bayern president Uli Hoeness warned last week of a growing gap, drawing parallels with Spain where Real and Barcelona have dominated for years on all levels.

"I think Uli Hoeness, who has started this discussion now, actually wants equality for the other 17 clubs," said Watzke.

"But if you want top European performers you have to have dominant clubs. It is also not accurate to say it is just like Spain. Every major European league is like that. In England it is like that as well with a handful of clubs usually dominating."

Dortmund looks set to continue playing a starring role after bouncing back from the brink of bankruptcy in 2005 to become one of Europe's most exciting and talked-about sports brands.

"Everyone should see what a bad state Dortmund were in a few years ago; no other Bundesliga club was in such a state in Germany," said Watzke, who took over in 2005 with the club's turnover at 87 million euros ($133 million) and a 74 million euro debt.

They are set to break the 250 million-euro barrier this year, up from 212 million in 2011-12. Sponsorship revenues alone are set to reach a record 70 million this fiscal year while about 350,000 to 400,000 trademark yellow-and-black team strips are sold per season.