Despite winning all six group-stage games, Bayern Munich will meet the likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the next round.
Julian Nagelsmann feels Bayern Munich’s 100 per cent record in the UEFA Champions League group stage was “not rewarded” after being drawn against Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.
Nagelsmann’s men won all six of their group games to finish top of Group C, including home and away victories over Inter and Barcelona, becoming the first team in the competition’s history to win all their group games in back-to-back seasons .
Despite this, Monday’s draw pitted Bayern against French champions PSG, who boast the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in their squad.
Nagelsmann believes his team did not get the full benefit of their heroics in the group stage, telling reporters: “PSG are a tough opponent.
“A perfect group stage is not rewarded [by drawing that opponent] – they have a lot of world-class players, as do we.
“But this is the Champions League, so it’s normal that there are no easy opponents in the round of 16.
PSG themselves remained unbeaten in the group stage, winning four and drawing two.
But Benfica’s remarkable 6-1 win over Maccabi Haifa on the final matchday saw Christoph Galtier’s side top with the Portuguese side scoring more away goals.
Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn echoed Nagelsmann’s sentiments about the difficulty of the draw but also spoke of his excitement at watching two of Europe’s elite clubs meet in a repeat of the 2019-20 final, which the Bavarian side won 1-0. Winner Kingsley Coman.
“We can look forward to two great games with the best players in Europe,” Kahn told Sky. “I think it will be two very attractive games.”
