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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Isaac Johnson

Thomas Muller sends Man City message ahead of Bayern Munich clash

Thomas Muller says Bayern Munich still believe they can beat Manchester City and progress through to the semi-finals of the Champions League despite their 3-0 first leg deficit.

Goals from Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland mean the Blues travel to Germany in a commanding position and are strong favourites to make the last four.

City subsequently enjoyed a fruitful weekend with a 3-1 win over Leicester to keep chase on Premier League leaders Arsenal, who dropped points in a 2-2 draw with West Ham, while Bayern were held to a 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim.

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola confirms Phil Foden boost

The Bundesliga champions found themselves embroiled in controversy after the 3-0 defeat at the Etihad last week, when Sadio Mane punched Leroy Sane after an altercation post-game. Mane was suspended by the club for the weekend’s draw but is back for Wednesday’s clash.

Guardiola believes the incident will fire up Bayern more than before and Muller - who didn’t start the first leg - has unpacked the team’s optimism ahead of the clash at the Allianz Arena.

Speaking to Sport1, he said: “We believe we still have a chance. We have to get off to a good start - maybe lead 1-0 at half-time.

“We don’t have to go 3-0 up after 10 mins, but we need to score and keep it up. If we score the second in the 80th, we still have 15 minutes. I believe it’s possible.”

Bayern lifted the Champions League trophy for the sixth time in their history during the Covid-hit season of 2019/20 but have failed to progress past the quarter-final stages in the years since.

Meanwhile, City - still on for the treble this season - are looking to clasp hands on the elusive prize for the first time ever having made the semi-finals last year and the final itself in 2021.

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