Bayern Munich

Bayern currently tops the standings with three points clear of Borussia Dortmund and Schalke. Muller emphasized that it is very important for them to become champions after Dortmund won it last season.

“We will win the Bundesliga. Me and my friends want it. We have to be a champions again, “said Muller, accoridng to Bild.

“Bundesliga is very important to us, perhaps the most important trophy. There is only one option when Bayern lost the title, the champions should go back to Munich. ”

“It is in the minds of fans, and us also. We do not want to see Dortmund celebrate again. We did not fall behind by 14 points from them this season, and we are three points ahead. ”

Bayern’s first game after the winter holidays is an away match against Borussia Monchengladbach on January 20.

Netzer believes Robben will play a key role for Bayern to win the German Bundesliga this season despite missing most games in the first half of the competition due to injury.

“He’s a world class player for Bayern, Robben is great to watch,” said Netzer according to Express.

“For Bayern having players with quality like that is very important.”

“If he’s back fit, Robben would be a very important player for Bayern. He is an ambitious player, but it’s a good thing.”

“All the attacker has an individualistic attitude because they’re used to not be involved in the match but then they are able to score many goals.”

Bayern will start the second half of the season after the winter break by facing Borussia Monchengladbach, on January 20 .

Bastian Schweinsteiger

The comparison came from Bayern Munich coach, Jupp Heynckes, who thinks Schweinsteiger is like Xavi and Iniesta.

“They’re both great players, no doubt about that. But I consider myself a bit different, especially from the physical side,” said Schweinsteiger as reported by Bayern’s official website.

“I win air ball mainly due to physical advantages. I also have a different solution compared to them. But obviously, I understand what Jupp wants top  deliver.”

Schweinsteiger is expected to be back playing for Bayern after the winter break after recovering from a shoulder injury in the past two months.

Bayern Munich

The Croatia international has played just 285 minutes in seven games in all competitions this season, however, the 30-year-old has revealed that he will not leave Munich before June.

“I have reconciled with myself that I will stay here,” he told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti.

When asked how he will plan for the second half of the season, Pranjic kept a positive attitude.

“Now, as every year, [I will] prepare under the impression that I will play.”

The former Heerenveen man is looking forward to the Bundesliga restart in January and feels that he and compatriot Ivica Olic, who has also struggled for playing time, will be given the chance to prove their worth.

“I think the coach will give myself and Ivica more opportunities,” he concluded.

Previous reports speculated that Pranjic might leave Munich for Hamburg in January. However, Bayern boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has been adamant that no player will be released before summer.

Pranjic and Olic both have contracts that will expire in June.

Goals:
36′ [1 - 0] D. Silva
52′ [2 - 0] Y. Touré

He asserted that there was no reason to panic despite his team was just defeated by Borussia Dortmund 1-0 in the German Bundesliga match last weekend.

“Yes, there’s no reason to panic,” said Robben.

Robben had previously been out for almost seven weeks following a groin injury that required a surgery. But during the game against Dortmund, the Dutch international had made a comeback.

“I rarely play but I am really excited to be playing again,” he said.

According to Goal.com Germany, the Dutchman trained yesterday with Bayern’s fitness coach Thomas Wilhelmi performing sprints and heavy ball training for over an hour.

The Bavarian side’s coach Jupp Heynckes was pleased with the 27 year-old’s progress, but warned that the winger will only return to action when he is fully fit.

“Arjen makes progress everyday but he will not be rushed. To make a comeback he must be 100 percent,” Heynckes said.

The superstar winger could make a likely return either in the next fixture against Borussia Dortmund at home on Nov. 19, or the following week’s away match versus Mainz.

Source: Goal

The 19-year-old player reinforced his earlier statement that says that it is fun playing for BVB but could not ensure that he will stay at the Ruhr area forever with the Champions League as a limit.

“Next year is still long,” said Gotze to Sport-Bild. “But who knows if we could still end the season in fourth place? Perhaps I could also suffer an injury. I will try to stay as long as possible.”

“It’s true, I have been making plans with agent Volker Struth. In the plan it is mentioned that I will always play in the Champions League. That’s the main and important objectives. No one can predict what will happen in the future.”

However, Gotze still refers Dortmund as the most suitable location for him to develop his skills as well as commenting on interest from Bayern Munich.

“I felt I could improve as a player with BVB,” continued Gotze.

“It is an honor to hear a club as big as Bayern Munich are interested. Basically I am reluctant to close all possibilities,” he said.

The Italian club will head into the clash with Jupp Heynckes’ Bavarians placed second in the group with four points from two matches, two behind their visitors.

This is Napoli’s first campaign in Europe’s premier club competition for 20 years, while Bayern are regulars in the Champions League and are considered one of the favourites this campaign after a stunning start to the season.

Mazzarri admits that defeating the German giants even on their own turf at the Stadio San Paolo will not be easy but he is confident that his players will not to be intimidated.

“Bayern Munich are a fantastic team and they have a lot of great players,” the Italian is quoted as saying by Uefa.com.

“In their last 10 matches they have collected nine wins and a draw and they are really in form, but we have no fear, we are excited about this.

“If Napoli win, it would be a historic result for this team and for this city and we will do everything to give this satisfaction to our supporters,” he added.

Mazzarri is also aware that his team will not be able to easily spring a surprise on their German counterparts due to their experience.

“Bayern are a team who are capable of of doing anything in possession. They have more than the usual level of skill and fitness, but they respect us.

“At the same time, this is not so great because I can’t hope to surprise them as they will not underestimate us for sure. Not least as Bayern have a lot of players used to playing in the Champions League, while this is the first season for us.”

The other game in the group on Tuesday is between Manchester City and Villarreal in England.

Bayern Munich

The former Leverkusen tactician is well aware of Barca’s style of play and believes that their camaraderie on and off the pitch has been crucial to their success.

The Bavarians will face Pep Guardiola’s men in Wednesday’s Audi Cup final and Heynckes revealed that he expects an exciting game.

“I know Spanish football and Barcelona’s game pretty well. Everyone knows they are the current Champions League holders, but we must also remember that they are the most creative team in the world,” Heynckes was quoted as saying on the official Barcelona website.

“They have lots of players who have grown up together at the club, and this means they understand each other really well on the pitch, but also, and very importantly, off the pitch.

“It will be a very interesting game. It’s true that Barça without [Lionel] Messi are a different team, but players like [Andres] Iniesta, Xavi, or [Sergio] Busquets are extraordinary players.”

The match between Bayern Munich and Barcelona will kick off at 20:45 CET at the Allianz Arena.