New Delhi: Bayern Munich have showcased their Champions League credentials win a 2-1 first leg quarter-final victory away at Real Madrid and have earned the right to progreess deeper into the tournament, coach Vincent Kompany said.
The German champions are unbeaten in their last 14 matches across competitions and host Real in the return leg on April 15 for a shot at second consecutive semi-finals berth.
“Most important for us is to just continue our momentum. They’re going to give us a tough game, they’re the type of team who can do something special as well,” Kompany told TNT Sports.
Bayern will be eyeing to beat Real over two legs for the first time since 2012 Champions League semi-finals when they won on penalties.
“A lot of respect for the opponent but also a lot of confidence as well, because I feel we’ve earned the right to be confident,” Kompany added.
“We have earned the right to be demanding even in those games… and go after a good result.”
Being the record 15-time champions, Real Madrid would back themselves to win away in Munich despite conceding a one-goal lead in their home game.
“We are still alive, clearly. We are one goal away. We have shown that we can win anywhere,” Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa said.
“We showed it with the scoring chances that we had against an opponent that we knew was going to make it difficult for us.”
Real were shaky defensively, particularly in the first 45 minutes, annd conceded from errors, which they would have to fix ahead of the second leg clash.
“We came out for the second half and conceded a goal straight away. Both goals we conceded were gifts,” Real Madrid defender Antonio Ruediger told Movistar Plus.
“Both sides had plenty of chances but Bayern’s best player today was Neuer. In the end, that’s how it goes.”