Thomas Muller sends Man City message ahead of Bayern Munich clash

Thomas Muller says Bayern Munich still believe they can beat Manchester City and progress through to the semi-finals of the Champions League despite their 3-0 first leg deficit.

Goals from Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland mean the Blues travel to Germany in a commanding position and are strong favourites to make the last four.

City subsequently enjoyed a fruitful weekend with a 3-1 win over Leicester to keep chase on Premier League leaders Arsenal, who dropped points in a 2-2 draw with West Ham, while Bayern were held to a 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim.

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The Bundesliga champions found themselves embroiled in controversy after the 3-0 defeat at the Etihad last week, when Sadio Mane punched Leroy Sane after an altercation post-game. Mane was suspended by the club for the weekend’s draw but is back for Wednesday’s clash.

Guardiola believes the incident will fire up Bayern more than before and Muller - who didn’t start the first leg - has unpacked the team’s optimism ahead of the clash at the Allianz Arena.

Speaking to Sport1, he said: “We believe we still have a chance. We have to get off to a good start - maybe lead 1-0 at half-time.

“We don’t have to go 3-0 up after 10 mins, but we need to score and keep it up. If we score the second in the 80th, we still have 15 minutes. I believe it’s possible.”

Bayern lifted the Champions League trophy for the sixth time in their history during the Covid-hit season of 2019/20 but have failed to progress past the quarter-final stages in the years since.

Meanwhile, City - still on for the treble this season - are looking to clasp hands on the elusive prize for the first time ever having made the semi-finals last year and the final