FC Bayern have made a perfect start to the Champions League, winning their first two matches, and Ivan Perišić has played a big part in their victories. Ahead of the third group match against Olympiacos, the Croatian World Cup runner-up talks about the special atmosphere in Greece and his targets for Europe's elite club competition in an interview with fcbayern.com.
Ivan Perišić interviewed
Ivan, you take on Olympiacos in the Champions League on Tuesday. How do you think the game will go?
Perišić: I played in Piraeus with Dortmund once. The atmosphere at the stadium is passionate. We have to be focused from the first minute and get on the front foot, otherwise it'll be hard to hold our own.
You just mentioned it: a cauldron awaits you. Is that extra motivation?
I've played in Greece a few times, Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, PAOK: the atmosphere was special every time. The spectators are very passionate in Turkey and Croatia too – I like it, every player does.
Despite the results in your last two league games – a 2-1 home defeat to Hoffenheim and a 2-2 draw at Augsburg - you're favourites going into the match.
Yes, we want to move on as fast as possible from the last two Bundesliga mtches and focus on the future. We go to Piraeus to win. It would be a big step towards the last 16.
You've played in the Champions League with Dortmund and Inter but never advanced to the knockout stages.
That's correct. We didn't make it to the knockout stages in the first year with Dortmund, and in the second year I joined Wolfsburg in the winter. And I only contested the group stage with Inter. I took part in two World Cups and one European Championships, but I have yet to take that step in the Champions League.
You scored a goal in your first Champions League match in September 2011 but haven't scored in the competition since. It's time for another one, isn't it?
Exactly. I hope I can change that at Bayern.
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