Thiago Alcantara desperate to win Champions League with Bayern Munich
Ahead of the game against Tottenham Hotspurs, Thiago Alcantara admits that Bayern Munich needs to win Champions League.
Bayern Munich started their Champions League campaign in the best possible way. The Bundesliga team clinched a convincing 3-0 win against Red Star Belgrade in the first matchday of the season.
However, their biggest test in the group stage will come later tonight as they face Tottenham Hotspurs in London. There will be some fierce individual battles on the pitch as these two sides have world-class players in their squad.
Thiago Alcantara is likely to start in this game despite his poor form this season. The Spaniard is an important player for Niko Kovac despite a slow start to this campaign. Thiago has a different role this season as Kovac moved Kimmich back into midfield.
Ahead of the game against Spurs, Thiago told The Daily Telegraph about his target of winning the Champions League title with Bayern. The Spanish midfielder also opens up about last season’s painful defeat against Liverpool in the round of 16.
"“When you lose in the last 16 it is more ‘okay, this season… it goes to the trash. Because you are supposed to be there to fight to the end. You want that. Maybe when you don’t make it some teams are there not because they are better than you but because at the moment they did better things.”“For me, the Pokal [German Cup] is the best domestic cup in the world but the Champions League is another thing. We are at big clubs to win the Champions League. It is the highest trophy you can reach. I’ve won leagues and won all the trophies that I can play for.”"
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Thiago also admitted that he is enjoying more responsibility after numerous senior players left the club in summer. The Spaniard is one of the few senior players left at the club. However, Thiago has just entered the prime of his career as he turned 28 in April this year.
The Spanish midfielder faced an uncertain future before the arrival of Kovac in Munich. Bayern were reportedly ready to listen to offers for him, while Real Madrid and Barcelona were showing strong interest in the midfielder. Thiago was also tight-lipped about his future but eventually ended up staying at the club.
His injury woes are now a thing of past as he made 42 appearances for Die Roten last season. Kovac used him in a holding midfield role. His attacking abilities were diminished in this position, but he continued to thrive under the Croatian manager.
Considering his impact under Kovac, Bayern may hand him a new deal soon. Thiago also feels completely settled in Bavaria and wants to win numerous major trophies with the club. His experience in midfield will be pivotal considering all the other midfielders bar Javi Martinez are relatively young.
Next. Bayern Munich vs. Tottenham Hotspurs- Three key battles. dark
Tonight will be a good test for Kovac and his players. Spurs have not been exactly in the best form, but they still can beat any team on their day. Kovac’s progress as a coach will be clearly visible if he manages to set his team well for this game irrespective of the outcome of the game.