MUNICH (Germany): Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann on Tuesday rejected every talk about his team as a favorite for the Champions League title like too early, ahead of the second group E match Wednesday against Dynamo Kyiv.
Former European champions and French European champions have praised Bayern as the best team in Europe and “Top Favorites” for the Champions League title in an interview with the German kicker magazine.
“First of all he is a great player and when a great player has an opinion then I listen to it,” Nagelsmann told a press conference online ahead of their home match against the Ukrainian team.
“But what is always important is you have to come out and confirm what other people say about you.
There are only the first match and today start the second match.” Bavaria, the last winning the Champions League in 2020, beat Barcelona 3-0 in their opening group match in Spain and was at the eight match winning line in all competitions while also led the Bundesliga race.
“Anyone who wants to win (Champions League) must win the highest number of matches and we will try to do that,” said Nagelsmann, in his first season responsible at Bayern.
He will have a almost complete squad to choose from, except for Corentin Tolisso and Kingsley Coman who are injured, recover from light heart surgery.
“There are three points available tomorrow and we want to have six after the first two matches and remain a group leader,” Nagelsmann said.
“Kyiv in their league in most matches is the top favorite and has a young and talented team.
In the league they just left two players behind (in defense).” But in their first group match – a goalless draw against Benfica – they have fewer ownership than their opponents who have 62%.
“But you still have to make space.
Benfica failed to score even though they had.
The main task is to play around the compact block.
I believe my team to do it,” said Nagelsmann.