Atlético Madrid from Spain, PSV Eindhoven from the Netherlands and FC Rostov from Russia are FC Bayern's opponents in this season's Champions League group stage. fcbayern.com has collected the statements:
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: "Atlético are very strong opponents. We've never encountered the two other clubs. Rostov means a long journey, but not an easy one. You have to take these opponents seriously and by no means underestimate them. We'll have to be very focused. Then we'll hopefully qualify for the Round of 16. We have to make it."
Carlo Ancelotti: "It's a tough group, we have to watch out. Atlético knocked out FC Bayern last season, Rostov impressed me with their clear-cut victory over Ajax and Eindhoven only fell to Atlético on penalties. This group isn't easy."
Philipp Lahm: "We've always made it at least to the semi-finals in the last few years, so it's our duty to prevail in the group, even if Atlético Madrid are extremely tough opponents. It's quite a challenge to win away, be it in Rostov or Eindhoven, and it's going to be a tough battle in Madrid anyway. But the encounter with Atlético is not a matter of revenge for the last season, that's over. It starts from scratch again."
Manuel Neuer: "I'm particularly looking forward to playing against Atlético twice. It's going to be a foretaste to the knockout ties, for which we want to qualify as group winners of course. Rostov are a very interesting draw, I think none of us really knows the team. And PSV Eindhoven are by no means to be underestimated, they almost knocked out Atlético last season, they only lost on penalites after two goalless draws."
Jérôme Boateng: "I think we can't complain about the draw. Madrid are surely the toughest opponents on paper, but we mustn't underestimate Eindhoven either. Of course we want to make it to the last sixteen as group winners to avoid a tie against the winners of another group."
Thomas Müller: "We want to prove against Atlético that we can do better than in last season's semi-finals, we certainly have a score to settle. Taken as a whole the group is okay, it's got everything: I'm looking forward to the new Champions League campaign."
Mats Hummels: "I'm very pleased with the group as I haven't encountered any of the opponents before. That's what I wish for before a draw like this. That we've been handed Atlético Madrid, who are among the top favourites to win the Champions League, makes our group very challenging."
Javi Martínez: "It's a very interesting group in which Atlético are surely the strongest opponents. But we made our experience with the team from Madrid last season, we have a score to settle and we'd better do it in the group stage."
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