Thomas Muller wants Champions League officials to stay cool in Real Madrid cauldron

David Cooper - Writer 10:39 01/05/2018
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  • Thomas Muller controls the ball during the Champions League semi-final first leg.

    Thomas Muller urged referee Cuneyt Cakir and his officials not to be swayed by the Bernabeu on Tuesday night after pointing to decisions that went against Bayern Munich when they played Real Madrid in last season’s Champions League.

    Bayern head to Spain needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit after a smash-and-grab performance from Real saw them take a giant step towards a likely final with Liverpool.

    Los Blancos and the German giants met at the quarter-finals stage in last year’s edition too – and Muller clearly hasn’t forgotten the controversy in Madrid.

    In extra-time, Cristiano Ronaldo twice struck goals from offside positions to send a fuming Bayern back to Germany.

    Muller, who was guilty of missing chances in last week’s first leg, was only too happy to remind this year’s officiating crew.

    “Everyone knows what happened here last year, with two offside Madrid goals,” he said.

    “And the Juventus penalty (against Real in the quarter-finals) … the atmosphere should not affect the officials. We will concentrate on the game because we are already under too much pressure.

    “We analysed the first leg to know how to face the return. We have to take advantage of our chances, be hungry to score goals and to hurt Madrid.”

    To stand a chance Bayern must surely unleash Robert Lewandowski, who was uncharacteristically subdued at the Allianz Arena last time out.

    Robert Lewandowski 3

    The Poland striker has hit an incredible 39 goals from 44 games in all competitions this season and is a reported summer transfer target for Real.

    “If we don’t win and we don’t score, we’re not going to look for a scapegoat,” Muller said of Lewandowski.

    “Lewa’s qualities are indisputable.”

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