Short interview ahead of UCL start
Tue, 19/09/2023, 11:19
Serge Gnabry: Nice memories of Manchester United
He was Mr Reliable for Bayern at the end of last season. Serge Gnabry scored five goals on the final five Bundesliga matchdays on the way to the last-minute title as well as setting up Jamal Musiala's decisive goal at Köln. After a strong pre-season, Gnabry was hampered by a minor injury at the start of the new campaign, but now he's fully fit again – and raring to go.
On Wednesday night, the German record champions host Manchester United at the Allianz Arena as the Champions League kicks off. We had a quick chat with Gnabry, who made his professional breakthrough in England with Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion, ahead of the clash with the Red Devils.
Three questions to Serge Gnabry
Servus, Serge. You're set for your second match against Manchester United on Wednesday. What memories do you have of your first encounter with the Red Devils in 2013 with Arsenal?
Serge Gnabry: "They're nice memories. I was only 18 at the time. Playing against Manchester United, at Old Trafford, with all the stars, was a special feeling. I came on in the closing stages and still remember a duel with Ryan Giggs, among other things."
Serge Gnabry on 10 November 2013 as an 18-year-old in an Arsenal shirt during a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
FC Bayern have won their last 19 opening games in the Champions League. How important is a good start for the team?
"It's always very important. We want to lay down a marker straight away and collect the three points. The fact we're starting at home at the Allianz Arena against, in theory, the strongest opponents in the group is an advantage for us. We've always been very convincing in the Champions League group stage in recent years – we want to keep that going."
Manchester United have lost their last two matches – does that make them more dangerous, because they're under pressure?
"United have brilliant individual players, a lot of talent and a lot of pace up front. They've also got a few midfielders with a lot of Premier League experience. We absolutely shouldn't underestimate them, and we're not. We need to be at our best."
Our live blog has all the build-up to the game:
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