The motivation to have a good end to the year in the Champions League is there, according to Thomas Müller. That will have to be the case when German record holders Bayern München end their Champions League group stage on Wednesday against CSKA Moscow (20:45 CET), despite the one million Euro prize money and the possibility of qualifying for the last 16 with five wins for only the third time in the club’s history.
Bayern are and have been top of Group E for a long time but they will give everything they have in order to keep up the excitement up to Christmas. “We play to win,” said manager Pep Guardiola. The will of his team was shown two weeks ago in the game against Manchester City when two mistakes from Xabi Alonso and Jérôme Boateng in the closing stages saw them lose 3-2.
Last season, Munich had a negative experience after securing their 24th title because Guardiola explained that the Bundesliga was over and Bayern suddenly began to show weaknesses. “We don’t want to ruin our winter break due to careless performances,” said Müller. “It’s important that we maintain our current level,” stressed Boateng.
Not many changes expected
Guardiola is also not expected to make many changes to his side, just like in the spring against FC Augsburg, who are Saturday’s Bundesliga opponents. Everything went wrong back then as a 1-0 defeat brought a long winning run to an end. Then came the disappointing exit in the semi-final of the Champions League against Real Madrid. “If we make six or seven changes then we could risk losing our rhythm,” said Sporting Director Matthias Sammer. There could also be problems “psychologically.”
Guardiola wants to bring in a few players from the reserves. “I don’t know how many,” he said and went on to refer to the three remaining games ahead of the winter break. The Spaniard reported that three or four players were suffering from fatigue, whilst Mehdi Benatia is suspended after being sent off in Manchester.
Faith in “outstanding” Rode
Therefore it’s expected that Sebastian Rode will get another chance (“I am quite confident ahead of Wednesday.”) The ex- Frankfurt man has earnt his place due to his huge commitment. “It’s outstanding,” said Thomas Müller, “how Sebastian makes his tackles. You have to take care of the pitch so that he doesn’t ruin it.”
Outsiders Moscow will draw their motivation from the qualifying situation. The Russians have to win if they want to qualify for the last 16, but also require a draw in the other game between AS Roma and Manchester City. But CSKA can’t count on Munich being sloppy. “We’re on a great run,” said Müller on the current season. And Bayern won’t want to stop now.
