Neuer on Villarreal tie: 'Our expectation is to reach the semi-finals'

FC Bayern will meet Villarreal CF in the last eight of the Champions League - and the objective for the two matches in April is clear: “It’s never easy to get through, but our expectation is to want to reach the semi-finals at all costs,” said captain Manuel Neuer. “It won’t be a walk in the park,” warned Thomas Müller, who like everyone else in the squad watched the Spaniards’ impressive performances in the last 16. “To win 3-0 against Juve takes some doing. It should be our expectation to progress, but first you have to do the business on the pitch and win,” commented coach Julian Nagelsmann. Here’s the reaction from the Bayern camp to the quarter-final draw:

The reaction to the Champions League draw

Oliver Kahn, CEO: “Villarreal showed in the round of 16 what they're capable of. For that reason we have to be on our guard and approach the task with full concentration. No one can think that they'll be two easy games.“

Julian Nagelsmann: “The question of how to assess the opponents is always very tricky. First of all, we obviously want to progress. Villarreal are the reigning Europa League winners. They have a coach and a team with a lot of experience and a clear plan. They often play in a very similar way and were second in the group stage behind Manchester United. To win 3-0 against Juve takes some doing. It should be our expectation to progress, but first you have to do the business on the pitch and win.”

Manuel Neuer: “We’re looking forward to the quarter-finals, we’re looking forward to Villarreal and both legs. It’s never easy to get through, but our expectation is to want to reach the semi-finals at all costs. We’ll have to earn and fight for that. We certainly have the right motivation and quality on the pitch to win these matches. Obviously we go into it as favourites. Villarreal are a technically strong team, who will firstly try to be solid at the back against a team with our attacking power. You saw against Juve that they can counter well, can keep the ball well and are all technically adept. Therefore, it’s going to be a case of always being switched on.”

Thomas Müller: “Villarreal have always been known for playing good football, for producing a lot of talent and also for success - they won the Europa League last year. The Yellow Submarine should be well known to football experts of my generation. They’re going to be hotly contested games. I watched the games against Juve, we’ve been warned. We have our qualities, as do Villarreal, so there won’t be any holding back. We’ll need to cover every blade of grass and show our values on the pitch. I’m not worried but it won’t be a walk in the park.”

Lucas Hernández: “We’re very motivated to go as far as possible in the Champions League. Villarreal are a very good side, but we’re aware you have to beat everyone in order to get to the final. Particularly at home, Villarreal are a team who very much like to play football and have possession - and when they have it, they do it very well. Then it’s down to us to knock them off balance and claim the win. A lot of Bayern fans probably don’t know Villarreal as well as I do, but it’s really going to be a difficult contest in which we’ll have to give our best to stay in the competition.”

Hasan Salihamidžić also offered his thoughts during the quarter-final draw - here are the key statements: