Why Bayern president believes his team is best in Champions League

Admin l Thursday, March 09, 2023

 

MUNICH – Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer believes his side are among the favourites for the Champions League after knocking out Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16.

Second-half goals from ex-PSG forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Serge Gnabry sealed a 2-0 home win on Wednesday, which put Bayern into their fourth straight quarter-final with a 3-0 aggregate score.

“I don’t see any team which is stronger than us,” Hainer told reporters, labelling the victory “very controlled and dominant.”

The last-eight draw is on March 17. Chelsea, Milan and Benfica are already through, with holders Real Madrid and fancied Napoli favourites to progress from next week’s last 16 second legs.

Despite 2020 champions Bayern being sponsored by Qatar Airways, Hainer could not resist a dig as PSG, who have been bankrolled by the Qataris since 2011 but have yet to win the Champions League.

“You see, you can’t achieve everything just with money,” he said. Talking of money, Bayern will earn €10.6 million ($11.9 million) from UEFA for reaching the quarter-finals. They have so far picked up win bonuses of €89.02 million having won all eight Champions League games.

If Bayern go on to lift the trophy in Istanbul on June 10, they would receive a total of €121.52 million.

Bundesliga leaders Bayern host Augsburg in a Bavarian derby on Saturday.