Tuchel warns Bayern to be at top level vs Arsenal
German coach counts on experience after drawn away first leg
Munich – Bayern Munich have a slight edge over Arsenal in the Champions League given their rich history in the competition, but they still have to be at their best to beat them, coach Thomas Tuchel said on the eve of today’s quarterfinal second leg.
Bayern have not gone beyond the quarters since winning their sixth European Cup in 2020, while Arsenal are yet to get their hands on the crown.
With the return leg finely poised at 2-2, the pressure will be on Tuchel’s team at the Allianz Arena, however, as Europe is their only chance of redemption in a season where they have been dethroned as German champions by Bayer Leverkusen.
“We have a slight advantage when you look at our experience in this competition. But to turn it into a real advantage, you also need a top performance. We’re ready to give it everything we’ve got,” Tuchel told reporters.
“We’ll need everything again. We’ll need passion and the same tactical discipline as in the first leg. We really want to win this game. It’ll be extremely important that every fan comes to support and push us.
“They play a very attractive brand of football at the highest level. We did well in the first leg, but we’re only halfway through the tie. We need everything again and hope that playing at home will give us the boost we need.”
Bayern striker Harry Kane, who has scored 39 goals in all competitions in his debut campaign at the club, was determined to keep the fans dreaming of a victorious climax to the season.
“It has been a disappointing season in the league. Credit and congratulations to Leverkusen for what they’ve achieved,” Kane said.