Champions League draw: Bayern to face Guardiola and Haaland

fFor FC Bayern Munich, there is a reunion with their former coach Pep Guardiola in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. His Manchester City team drew against German champions on Friday at the draw in Nyon at UEFA’s European Football Union headquarters. Bayern are the last remaining Bundesliga club in the premier class. Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig failed in the 1/8 finals.

Manchester City are currently second in the Premier League behind Arsenal. In the round of 16, Guardiola’s protégés defeated Leipzig thanks to a five-goal gala by star striker Erling Haaland. “They are the best couple in this quarter-final. I like to play against good guys. Our boys are always focused there,” said Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic, calling City the strongest opponent. “It’s another small final for us,” said Salihamidzic.

Salihamidzic showed great respect but no fear for the English football champions who beat Leipzig 7-0 this week in the second leg of the round of 16. Only former Dortmunder Haaland scored five goals. “He is a good striker, one of the best in the world,” commented Salihamidzic. Bayern’s defense will once again face a challenge similar to the round of 16 victory against Paris Saint-Germain, when world champion Lionel Messi and World Cup top scorer Kylian Mbappe failed to score in both games.

“We accept the challenge”

Bayern boss Oliver Kahn confidently commented on the showdown with hot title contenders Manchester City. Manchester City are the absolute top team, but we are Bayern Munich. We must and will be ready for this big contender,” Kahn said Friday in a response circulated by the German football champions.

“Our fans and football fans around the world are looking forward to this fight,” commented Kahn. “It will be a reunion with Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland and good friends from the Bundesliga. If you want to win the Champions League, you have to beat the best. It’s a challenge and we’re happy to take it on.”

Manager Julian Nagelsmann’s team have already won all six games of the group stage and are top favorites for the title. “I don’t know a single team that would shout “Hurrah!” at a meeting with Bayern,” said Bayern captain Thomas Müller confidently. However, in the previous season, Bayern unexpectedly failed in the quarter-finals against Villarreal.

“I like to play against good guys. Our guys are always concentrated there,” Salihamidzic said. “We will see Pep Guardiola again. We are looking forward to the games.” For the first time, Bayern will play in Manchester on 11 or 12 April. The decisive second leg will take place a week later at the Munich Arena. Had they advanced to the semi-finals, Bayern would have faced the winner of the clash between defending champions Real Madrid and Chelsea.

In other quarter-finals, Benfica Lisbon and Inter Milan meet, as well as Milan and Napoli. The final will take place in Istanbul on June 10.

Source: Frantfurter Allgemeine

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