Bayern's Muller expecting intense game against Rostov

Munich, Sep 12 (IANS) Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller is expecting an "intense" UEFA Champions League group stage clash against Russian football club FC Rostov here on Tuesday.

The five-time European champions' last Champions League win came in the 2012-13 season. Since then the Bavarian giants have not reached the final of Europe's premier club football competition, falling in the semi-finals consecutively in the last three seasons.

And Muller is hoping that this season augurs well for them as in the Bundesliga they have started off strongly, thrashing Werder Bremen and Schalke 2-0 so far.

"We are looking forward to the season in the premier class with a home match to begin. FC Rostov will certainly be an unpleasant opponent tomorrow, so we expect an intense game," Mueller wrote on Facebook.

"But we are hungry enough to win every game," the 26-year-old German added.

Bayern have won all of their last 12 Champions League opening matches, a record in the competition. The last time Bayern failed to win their first group match was 14 years ago, when they lost 2-3 at home against Deportivo La Coruna.

Talking about Rostov, Bayern head coach Carlos Ancelotti said that the Russian club will be a tough nut to crack.

"Defensively strong, they sometimes play with five at the back. Tough to break down," Ancelotti said.

Skipper Philipp Lahm declared: "None of us really knows the opponents we're going to face. But it's important to be ready and take three points straightaway."

--IANS

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