Sports director Hasan Salihamidzic from FC Bayern Munich has declared entry into the round of 16 as Munich's first stage goal after the Champions League draw.

The German soccer champions meet FC Barcelona, ​​Benfica Lisbon and Dynamo Kiev in Group E.

That was the result of the draw on Thursday evening in Istanbul.

“We want to create the group and also be first.

We have big goals in the Champions League, ”said Salihamidzic.

Even without star Lionel Messi, his biggest competitor remains FC Barelona, ​​which Bayern defeated 8-2 in the quarter-finals on the way to winning the 2020 title at the final tournament in Lisbon.

"Other team without Messi"

“Barcelona lost Lionel Messi.

This is of course a different team without Messi.

But they have good players in their ranks.

It's going to be a nice duel, ”said Salihamidzic.

Benfica Lisbon is “a traditional club, a well-known name and a really good club.

It's an interesting job. ”Kiev should not be“ underestimated, ”commented the Munich sports director.

The CEO Oliver Kahn added that it was “an exciting Champions League group and a demanding task for us!

I'm looking forward to big evenings and also to returning to Lisbon, where we have already made history.

Of course we want to advance to the round of 16 as group winners. "

Goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer said: "We can't afford to make any mistakes in this group, they are all very strong opponents." Benfica Lisbon is very strong, there is always a great atmosphere there, and we shouldn't underestimate Kiev, they are a very strong team. "

National player Joshua Kimmich spoke of Barcelona as a "great challenge with many top players".

He is looking forward to the upcoming "two great games" and confirmed Munich's claim to "master this group as group winners."

Teammate Thomas Müller said he was “really looking forward to these teams, all of which are very good at playing football.

We still have fond memories of FC Barcelona from the 2020 quarter-finals, that was a great experience in Lisbon for FC Bayern.

But we also have to be on our guard against Benfica and Kiev. "