Bayern looking forward to "highlight match" against Liverpool

Kovac appeared optimistic for Wednesday’s knockout game on the back of Bayern’s run of 12 wins from their last 13 league games, as well as the draw in Liverpool and the DFB Cup last-16 win at Hertha Berlin. “The desire and enthusiasm of recent weeks has shown me that the nearer we get to the end of the season, the more focussed and mentally strong the players become,” the FCB coach said, before adding, “there won't be another 0-0 because if you want to progress, you need to win.”

However, the Bayern boss warned his side not to charge forward in a rash manner against “by far the best team on the counter. You need to start the game well, find your rhythm. You can’t expect us to just pile forward and maybe shoot ourselves in the foot. We need to find a balance."

There was also good news on the injury front. David Alaba is once again “fit to play” after his tendon problems, and Kingsley Coman has recovered in good time from the muscle he tore two and half weeks ago. “I’m happy to have him back. He gives us an extra option," Kovac declared. He is, however, without the suspended Thomas Müller and Joshua Kimmich, as well as the injured Arjen Robben and Corentin Tolisso, as Bayern look to progress to an 18th Champions League quarter-final.

In any case, the stats bode well for the German champions, who have progressed on 21 of the 23 occasions they’ve drawn the first leg of a European knockout tie. The only times they’ve failed came in 2006/07 when a 2-2 draw at AC Milan was followed by a 2-0 defeat in Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and all the way back in 1980/81 when a goalless draw was followed by a 1-1 at home in the second leg of the European Cup semi-final. You have, of course, guessed that the opponents on that occasion were Liverpool.