‘We’re full of confidence going into the game’

You could say Thomas Müller should ask the FC Bayern coach driver. You could say Thomas Müller should use a satnav of his choice. But you could also say: Thomas Müller is right. Although Hanover is not on a direct route from Munich to Madrid, the FC Bayern trip to the Lower Saxony capital on Saturday afternoon was "a good stopping off point," said Müller after the 3-0 win at Hannover 96.

By the final whistle, Müller must have had REAL MADRID written large in his mind. Wednesday night brings the Champions League semi-final first leg against the titleholders from Spain. "The games come at the right time," said Müller, "we’re going through a good phase. We're together as a group, the quality is extremely high and the will to win enormous. We are full of confidence going into the game."

We'll be ready

"We can be cautiously optimistic," said Uli Hoeneß looking forward to the top game against Real. The FCB president said: "The situation is we’re in good form and have almost a full squad. I hear the same goes for Real. It will definitely be a tough battle." Arjen Robben added: "We know what we can do and what we have to do. We'll be ready."

With the win at Hannover, FC Bayern have underlined their current mood. In spite of numerous changes, in spite of players in unusual positions (Niklas Süle in defensive midfield) or first games in the Bundesliga (Lukas Mai), in spite of the Real game at the back of the mind – Bayern dominated. Coach Jupp Heynckes was happy with the "excellent football" and "wonderful goals. We are very happy. It's always good to win a game in the league ahead of a Champions League match."

Definitely wanted to win

After half-time, Thomas Müller (57'), Robert Lewandowski (73') and Sebastian Rudy (89') turned the FCB superiority at Hannover into goals. "We came out after the break and definitely wanted to win because we knew we needed to feel good for Wednesday," explained Rudy. FC Bayern definitely take that from the trip to Hannover. Heynckes said: "We know how good Real are. But we're not bad."