MUNICH (AFP) - Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac and veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer expect to make home advantage count in their Champions League last-16 return leg on Wednesday (March 13) to bring down Liverpool at a packed Allianz Arena.
After a goal-less first leg draw at Anfield three weeks ago, Kovac expects both sides to go in search of goals and the Bayern coach rates Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool as one of the world's best counter-attacking sides.
"I don't think it will end 0-0, but we will receive the kind of support in our stadium tomorrow the likes of which we haven't seen in a long time," said Kovac with a sellout crowd of around 70,000 expected.
"We have shown lots of spirit and creativity in the Bundesliga going forward," he added, as Bayern have won their last three league games with a goal ratio of 12-1 since the first leg.
"I'm in the mood to see us play even more effectively at home with the tailwind of our fans."
However, Kovac warned that if his defence "take their eyes off" Liverpool's fleet-footed forwards Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah, "then it's already too late".
Bayern are bidding to reach the quarter-finals for the eighth year in a row and Kovac has backed his experienced team against a Liverpool side bidding for their first Premier League title in 29 years.
"Of course, we have to push forward - that's important - but Liverpool are one of the best counter-attacking teams and we'll have to draw a fine line," said Kovac.
"The closer we get to the end of the season, the stronger mentally our players will become.
"That gives us some reassurance against Liverpool, but we have to find a balance.
"We must be able to score a goal, even at the end of 90 minutes."
Kovac expects "form on the day" to decide the result and said he had not put Bayern through additional penalty shoot-out practice as "you can either do it or you can't" when the pressure is on.
Both winger Kingsley Coman and left-back David Alaba should be fit to return after injury, although Kovac is without the suspended Thomas Mueller.
Neuer, the captain of Bayern and Germany, is also expecting a gala European night at the Allianz Arena.
Having lost at home to Real Madrid in the knockout stages in each of the last two seasons, Neuer says it is high time Bayern beat a big European club at home.
"Tomorrow is a final for us, anything can happen when two top teams meet each other," said the 32-year-old goalkeeper.
"The Allianz Arena will be on fire and it is time for us to once again beat a team of this calibre at home."
Liverpool striker Salah has scored only once in his last eight games, but Neuer scoffed when asked if the Egyptian's dip in form could help Bayern's cause.
"Liverpool will attack us as a unit and it doesn't matter if Salah has scored only one goal in eight games," said Neuer.
"We have already seen what Liverpool can do, it's also important that we also have the right players to safeguard from corners and free-kicks.
"It's important to cover the space at the back, always have the numbers to defend counter-attacks but, of course, we want to take the lead."
Jimenez, Jota slay Manchester United as Wolves reach FA Cup semi-finals Global Patriot Staff March 17, 2019 Local , News , Sports , World Leave a comment 14 Views Raul Jimenez of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates after scoring
Malaysia 0-1 Singapore: Faris' late goal settles derby in
* Everton rode their luck for a 2-0 home win over Bournemouth. Football News. Soccer-Everton ride luck for 2-0 victory at home to Bournemouth.
Everton Ride Luck For Home Victory Over Bournemouth
Huddersfield reduced the deficit to 2-1 after the restart as midfielder Philip Billing's swerving effort from distance flew past Southampton goalkeeper McCarthy, who appeared to be unsighted by a
Southampton power past struggling Huddersfield Town
Lionel Messi moved one clear of Cristiano Ronaldo as the Argentine received a record fifth European Golden Shoe award after netting 34 goals last season. The award is given to the player with the
Messi claims record 5th Golden Shoe - Punch Newspapers
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino fears Harry Kane could miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury sustained against Manchester City. The striker had to be helped down the tunnel by Spurs
SINGAPORE - Former Football Association of Singapore (FAS) general secretary Winston Lee withdrew his candidacy for one of nine seats on the executive committee members of the Asian Football
Football: Ex-FAS general secretary Winston Lee withdraws
sports-life-news.com/soccer/football-ex-fas-general-secretary-winston-lee-withdraws-candidacy-for-afc-exco-seat/
SINGAPORE - Former Football Association of Singapore (FAS) general secretary Winston Lee withdrew his candidacy for one of nine seats on the executive committee members of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), just before the Asian football body's congress in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (April 6).
Football: Ex-FAS general secretary Winston Lee withdraws
LONDON: Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette scored twice in the first half and fellow striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang snatched a last-gasp third goal to secure a 3-1 win over Valencia in the first
Lacazette double helps Arsenal beat Valencia 3-1 - CNA
Football: Arsenal inflict first domestic defeat on Solskjaer to surge into top four. Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring their second goal.
Arsenal Inflict First Domestic Defeat On Solskjaer To Surge
Real, the only top-three side in La Liga to win this weekend, moved on to 42 points, two behind second-placed Atletico Madrid, who lost 1-0 at Real Betis, and eight adrift of Barca who drew 2-2 at
Football: Confident Real stroll to fourth straight win
Premier League: Five things we learned from the weekend's action including Almiron's impact and Liverpool's resolve Liverpool returned to the top of the table with their scrappy win at
Premier League weekend: Five things we learned
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes Harry Kane spoke Thursday of his pride at how his teammates dealt with being racially abused in Montenegro as he collected an award for "services to football" after leading England to the World Cup semi-finals.
Harry Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes- The New
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen