After a delay of twelve years, Thomas Müller is aiming for the significant objective.
Bayern Munich aims high before the commencement of the new Champions League: a second "home finale" is their grand ambition. Star players Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer are particularly driven - perhaps considering their approaching retirements too.
On the last stop, the Allianz Arena, Bayern sets its sights on "Home Finale 2.0" as its final destination. By May 31, 2025, Neuer explained with a strong emotional appeal, "we know what that final meant to the city, the fans, and us players. We have to do whatever it takes to reach it again."
The record champions commence their journey on Tuesday, taking on Dinamo Zagreb in the revamped format of the Champions League. Despite the eight-month wait, the final casts a long shadow over the Champions League season. Neuer, alongside Muller, is the only one who has experienced the home drama against Chelsea in 2012. Consequently, both stars are eager to finally achieve their big objective twelve years later. "With Bayern's spirit, it's a dream - and a realizable one," said Muller.
The excitement isn't exclusive to Muller and Neuer. "What could be better than competing at home for the final?" questioned Joshua Kimmich. Board chairman Jan-Christian Dreesen talked about "a special season." He further added, "our fans dream of another 'home finale' just as much as we do."
Dreesen even remembered the heartrending defeat against Chelsea, where Ivica Olic and Bastian Schweinsteiger missed penalties. "The silence post-match was deafening. Many in Munich were heartbroken for weeks, and the city felt unusually quiet." For Kompany, a former Chelsea player, the ordeal is still in the future. "You don't reach a final through mere conversation, but through hard work."
So far, Bayern, with their new coach, is performing well. They've emerged victorious in their initial four competitive matches - even Zagreb, deemed an underdog, shouldn't sway them off their course. "We have to keep winning, keep going. On Tuesday, we have to be good again - and then again after that," said Kompany.
However, the real challenges lie ahead. Nine games remain until October, including duels against Barcelona and Hannes Flick, former coach, and the top match against Bayer Leverkusen champions. Yet, Bayern's confidence in their abilities resurfaced after an abysmal season. "We have our winning mentality back," said Neuer.
The primary objective for Munich in the Champions League's new format is to secure qualification for the round of 16. To achieve this, they need to finish among the top eight, setting their sights on Zagreb, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica Lisbon, Slovan Bratislava (home games), Barcelona, Feyenoord Rotterdam, Aston Villa, and Shakhtar Donetsk (away games). Müller acknowledged the complexities, remarking, "the past comparison values are missing." He added, "I can't yet accurately estimate how many points are needed to progress."
In the upcoming Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb, star player Thomas Müller is eager to replicate the success they had against Chelsea in 2012, as both he and Neuer aim to achieve their 'big objective' in soccer. The board chairman, Jan-Christian Dreesen, shares the fans' dreams of another 'home finale' in soccer, which would be a significant achievement for Bayern Munich.
