Former Bayern Munich midfielder Didi Hamann believes Bayern Munich should once again be considered one of the main contenders for the Champions League, although he is not convinced they have what it takes to overcome Paris Saint-Germain.
Reflecting on the previous Champions League meeting between the two club, Hamann said that sees a clear difference between the teams.
“Bayern against PSG was really tight, and obviously Aston Villa took them very close a couple of years back. The English clubs didn’t
really perform last season on the whole, although Arsenal was a standout by getting to the final. Bayern Munich will be there or thereabouts, they had a long season, of course, and Michael Olise was at the World Cup for a long time, as was Harry Kane,” Hamann told Andy’s Bet Club.
The workload on Bayern Munich’s key players could be a major factor, particularly with the club facing another demanding campaign across multiple competitions. However, Hamann is also impressed by the additions of Ismaël Saibari and Nathaniel Brown.
“So, it remains to be seen how they come out of the traps this season, but you know, in Ismael Saibari and Nathaniel Brown, they’ve brought two really good players in. I would like to think by March or April, Bayern Munich will still be in the mix,” Hamann said.
That optimism comes with one major caveat — the presence of PSG.
“Whether they’ve got the tools to beat PSG, I’m not too sure, because last year was probably the time to beat them when they went really close, coming back from a 5-2 deficit in Paris,” noted Hamann.
Bayern Munich will have to prove they can compete with Europe’s elite when the pressure reaches its highest point. Still, Hamann believes they belong among the favorites.
“But yeah, I think Bayern will be one of the main contenders. Then again, I think you’ve got to keep an eye on the English clubs because, apart from Arsenal, they didn’t perform last season,” said Hamann.
With PSG, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and the Premier League clubs all in the mix (plus Real Madrid and FC Barcelona), another fascinating Champions League campaign awaits.
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