For FC Bayern, the cracker duel against Manchester City is on the program in the Champions League. The German record champion presented himself aggressively before departure on Monday afternoon.
“Manchester City is an absolute top team, but we are Bayern Munich. We will be ready for this big opponent. If you want to win the Champions League, you have to beat the best,” said CEO Oliver Kahn before the first leg of the quarter-finals Manchester City (Tuesday, 9pm).
“We are very optimistic. We know what we can do and have a lot of self-confidence,” said Munich’s sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic, also confident.
Manchester City are in top form at the moment. After the dismissal of Julian Nagelsmann, FC Bayern still have to find their feet under the new head coach Thomas Tuchel, as the surprising quarter-final defeat in the DFB Cup against SC Freiburg (1: 2) last week made clear.
FC Bayern has to watch out for Haaland
“What I think is great is that we have the second leg in Munich. We’re approaching the task with confidence,” said Thomas Müller, nonetheless optimistic.
FC Bayern has to watch out for Erling Haaland in particular against Manchester City. The former BVB star has already scored 44 competitive goals for the Skyblues this season.
“For me, a pep team with Haaland is still a pep team. But with Erling, they have an absolute weapon,” said Müller, looking at Manchester City’s exceptional attacker.
The respect is mutual. “They come here to win,” Guardiola warned his team at Monday’s press conference ahead of FC Bayern, who threw the star ensemble of Paris Saint-Germain out of the competition in the round of 16.