The first title is secure, now FC Bayern turn their attentions to the other two competitions remaining this season. And the newly crowned German champions can take another step on the road to another continental title when they host Sevilla at the Allianz Arena in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday (kick-off at 20:45 CEST, coverage via our live ticker). The Munich club hold the upper hand over Sevilla following the 2-1 win in Spain last week as they look to progress to the semi-finals.
“Of course we want to progress. We can have a really, really good season this year, but there’s still a lot left to do in the coming weeks,” stressed Sandro Wagner. Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic added, “We still have goals and tough tasks remaining ahead of us. It’ll be a tough game at home against a tough opponent. But we have one foot in the semi-final thanks to our result in Seville.”
Heynckes expects attacking visitors
With the Bundesliga wrapped up early, Bayern now have to “maintain concentration,” according to Sven Ulreich. The FCB goalkeeper is expecting “another interesting game” against the team currently sitting seventh in La Liga. Coach Jupp Heynckes continued, “When you lose the first leg at home 2-1 then you have to take risks, look to attack and take the initiative. Sevilla will do that.”
His team’s job is to prevent that. “We know how Sevilla will approach things, and we’ll react accordingly,” Heynckes said before adding: “We’ll try to play like we’ve always done at home. We’re prepared, there’s a great atmosphere in the team and my players are eager to reach the semi-finals.” History is also on Bayern’s side as they have only once failed to progress in European competition from the 24 occasions they have won a first leg away from home.
Robben calls for “top performance”
Arjen Robben is also banking on a tricky game. “We can be really pleased with the result from the first leg. Winning 2-1 away from home is great, but it’s only half-time. Anything can happen in football,” the FCB veteran stressed while referencing Sevilla’s 2-1 victory in the second leg of their last 16 tie at Manchester United.
“They played really well in Manchester. They’re still a really good team,” the Dutchman warned. “We have to be prepared for everything and concentrate in particular on ourselves. We won’t be playing for a draw. We always play to win. You always need top performances in the Champions League, and the same goes for tomorrow,” Robben continued.
No Vidal or Alaba
Heynckes will be forced into changes to the side that took to the pitch last week in Spain. Arturo Vidal is unavailable with a knee problem, while tomorrow’s game comes too early for David Alaba. “I think it’s better when he has a few days’ training under his belt, so Saturday is more likely,” the coach said of the left-back, who has missed the last couple of matches with a back problem.
“Our primary objective is to reach the semi-finals. That’d be a huge success,” Heynckes admitted ahead of Wednesday’s sold-out match at the Allianz Arena. The treble-winning coach has taken charge of three prior Champions League campaigns throughout his career and reached the final each time, yet he was not willing to think beyond the game against Sevilla. “We still have 90 minutes to play,” Heynckes stressed.
Topics of this article