Big Bayern sounds: Kane wants the title

Champions League - Big Bayern sounds: Kane wants the title

The stars were greeted with thunderous applause at the traditional Bayern banquet. Crisis my ass! After the prestigious victory in the soccer classic at Manchester United, the mood at FC Bayern is suddenly great again and the defeat in Frankfurt has already been put behind them.

The team is "back on track", said CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen with satisfaction before opening the buffet. Dreesen praised the team and was already thinking ahead: "We have shown that we are rightly one of the big clubs who also have ambitions to win the Champions League."

Captain Manuel Neuer was similarly confident after the barely threatened 1-0 win at Old Trafford. "We can achieve anything with our team," said Neuer, who played his 700th club game - "a great mark" - in Manchester. Star striker Harry Kane, who set up Kingsley Coman's winning goal with a dream pass, put it even more clearly: "That's the goal, to win the Champions League."

Who will they face in the round of 16?

The final will take place in London, Kane's home city, on June 1, 2024. Eleven years after their triumph in the German final against Borussia Dortmund, Munich want to stand on the pitch at Wembley again and hold the Champions League trophy in their hands afterwards.

While Man United, who finished bottom of their group, are eliminated from the European Cup, the German record champions are now eagerly awaiting the draw for the round of 16 on Monday in Nyon. A clash with top teams such as defending champions Manchester City or Real Madrid is not possible for the time being. Munich can only face a runner-up in the group in the next round. "Of course, a lot always depends on your form on the day," said Neuer: "But if we play with as much spirit as we did today and don't think it's going to happen on its own, then we can go far."

They therefore go into the knockout round with a broad chest. Munich have been unbeaten in the top flight for 40 group games in a row. "I think that speaks for itself," said Neuer. The team picked up 16 out of a possible 18 points in this group stage. The victory at Old Trafford, known as the "Theater of Dreams", also caused the supporters who had traveled with them to dream. Long after the final whistle, when most United fans were already on their way home, they were still loudly chanting "Football's coming home" in the away block. However, Bayern had been eliminated in the quarter-finals in each of the previous three years.

Kane's return to the island

It was not a gala performance in Manchester, more of a working victory. But it was enough to make up for the 5-1 defeat at Eintracht, which was met with great astonishment in England. "After the Frankfurt game at the weekend, this was of course a special game for us," said Bayern boss Dreesen. "The team showed a different face." Coach Thomas Tuchel was also satisfied again after the final whistle. "Now we've done our duty," he said. "The team level was at the highest level."

Although Munich had already been confirmed as group winners, Tuchel had fielded his best eleven. England captain Kane was a particular focus on his return to the island. "After the result at the weekend, we were really highly motivated," said the former Tottenham striker on British broadcaster TNT Sport. Kane, who was also courted by Man United in the summer, expressed his satisfaction at his decision to join Munich. "Everyone has been unbelievable since I arrived at Bayern. I have a feeling there's more to come," said England's national team captain.

Until Christmas, however, the focus is now on the Bundesliga. First of all, they have to improve on Sunday's top match against VfB Stuttgart. "I think they simply have the momentum," warned Manuel Neuer of the in-form neighbors, who are just one point behind second-placed Munich ahead of the clash. "They have a very good team, have grown together well and also have a top coach," said Neuer, referring to Sebastian Hoeneß: "And that means they have a lot to play for."