Bayern boss Salihamidzic on Barcelona-Los: “It’s a different team without Messi”

Of the FC Barcelona without Lionel Messi, who has moved to Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica Lisbon with ex-national player Julian Weigl and the Ukrainian double winner Dynamo Kiev: FC Bayern Munich cannot complain about its group in the new Champions League season. The record champions caught feasible opponents in the draw on Thursday evening, also because the former classic duel against Barca is no longer like it used to be. “Barcelona lost Lionel Messi. Nobody would have thought it possible that he would leave Barcelona. Obviously, they are a different team without Messi”said sports director Hasan Salihamidzic – and gave his team a clear goal.

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“We want to create the group and also be first”demanded the Bayern boss. “We have big goals in the Champions League.” Leading player Joshua Kimmich agreed with Salihamidzic: “In general, it must be our aim to master this group as group winners,” said the midfield leader, who recently extended his contract with FCB until 2025 would have.

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Captain Manuel Neuer urged his team to concentrate in the group phase. “We can’t afford to make a mistake in this group, they are all very strong opponents. Barcelona will still be very present for all of us from 2020, it will be a very difficult task even without Messi,” warned the national goalkeeper. “Benfica Lisbon are very strong. There is always a great atmosphere there. And we must not underestimate Kiev under any circumstances.” Thomas Müller was delighted with “three traditional participants in the Champions League history”.

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The finals will take place on May 28, 2022 in St. Petersburg, Russia. It starts with the group games on 14./15. September. The group stage ends on 7./8. December, then it goes into the knockout rounds. Last season, Bayern failed to Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals. In 2020 the FCB won the premier class, also thanks to an outstanding 8-2 win in the quarter-finals against Barcelona – back then with Messi.