CEO Oliver Kahn spoke to media at the airport in Munich before leaving for the Champions League game away at Barcelona about the match, players and Bayern’s current form. fcbayern.com rounds up his statements…
Oliver Kahn on...
…the game at Barcelona: “Barcelona is always special. A great club, a great team. There have been lots of encounters in the past. We’re prepared for a big game. We’ve played well lately. Above all, the results have been right. We may have already qualified for the round of 16, but we want to achieve our goal. We want to win the group. That means we won’t give anything away in Barcelona.”
…Bayern’s improving form: “It wasn’t that the team played badly, but the results weren’t always right. I think the team took that to heart. It’s simply our aspiration to be top of the table in the Bundesliga. We’ve got six games left – two in the Champions League, four in the Bundesliga – and the team wants to get to first place in the Bundesliga. They want to remain in this flow, keep getting good results to take that momentum into the World Cup.”
…Barcelona’s impending Champions League elimination: “This was the strongest group and it was obvious someone had to go out, whether Bayern, Inter or even Barcelona. It’s not over yet, but we’ve got great respect for Barcelona. I think they’re performing well in the league. For us, it’s always a chance to test ourselves against the best in Europe. The team wants that. I’ve said we’re not going there with the thought that we’ve already qualified. We want and have to finish top of the group. And beyond that, it’s always a big game against Barcelona between two big teams in Europe.”
...Eric Maxim-Choupo-Moting: “It’s not that big a surprise with Choupo because, whenever he’s played or come on in the past, he always performed and always scored goals. He’s showing now we can rely on him. It’s excellent for us. He can play through the middle and is technically very good, which we saw against Hoffenheim. You can play the ball to him when he’s under pressure with his back to goal. He can control the ball, can lay it off. He’s also got an eye for teammates in a better position. When he gets a chance, he’s then clinical in front of goal.”
…a new contract for Choupo-Moting: “The season is still young, just 10 or 11 matchdays into it. We’re fully focused on getting through these final six games. Then when the time comes, we’ll sit down together.”
…Manuel Neuer’s fitness: “I think we just need to wait and see how things progress with him each day. It’s a painful one even though it’s not that serious. I think he should be ready soon.”
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