20th April, 2015
Thomas Mueller insists Bayern Munich must resist any “kamikaze tactics” against Porto in their desperation to overturn their two-goal deficit in Tuesday’s quarter-final, second-leg, and avoid a Champions League exit.
Porto’s 3-1 win at the Estadio do Dragao last Wednesday left Bayern’s dreams of winning the treble of Champions League, German league and cup titles in jeopardy.
The Bavarians need to score at least twice at Munich’s Allianz Arena to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the fourth year running.
But Mueller insists the hosts must not throw everything into attack kamikaze-style and risk being caught out by a Porto counter-attack.
Conceding an early goal would spell disaster for Bayern’s hopes of reaching the Champions League final in Berlin on June 6.
“We have to play smart and avoid kamikaze tactics,” said Mueller.
“Of course we feel the pressure, we have our backs to the wall, but having a challenge is a good thing for us.
“It is important to stay focused and score at least twice, but we can’t leave ourselves vulnerable to counter-attacks.
“I am positive. A 2-0 win at home against Porto wouldn’t be a miracle, would it?
“We’ll have the crowd behind us, but it’s down to us to score the goals on the pitch.”
Bayern captain Philipp Lahm will play after shaking off a stomach virus which kept him out of Saturday’s 2-0 win at Hoffenheim.
Midfield star Bastian Schweinsteiger could feature having trained on Sunday after an ankle injury and flu, but winger Franck Ribery is highly doubtful with eight Bayern players, including top-scorer Arjen Robben, currently injured.
“I am fine and I will play tomorrow,” said Lahm.
“We have our fans behind us and we will fight till the end.
“It won’t be easy, but we like that and we will do everything to go through. An early goal would be perfect.”
Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning captain said the main reason for his confidence lies in the team’s quality.
“We are a very good team and we have proven our quality several times over the last few years,” said Lahm.
“It is vital that we stay calm, we have 90 minutes to score.”
Lahm insisted no one in the Bayern camp had underestimated Porto’s strength before the first leg after the hosts raced into a 2-0 lead, thanks to Ricardo Quaresma’s goals, with just 10 minutes gone.
All three of Porto’s goals came from Bayern errors as Xabi Alonso, Dante and Jerome Boateng were pressed into mistakes.
“Nobody underestimated Porto, we simply made too many mistakes and were punished,” said Lahm.
“It was a big set back for us and the 3-1 defeat was bitter, but that’s football.
“We’re professionals and we’re highly critical of ourselves.”