Manchester United's manager David Moyes trusts his team will go through to the semifinals of the Champions League after tonight's thrilling game at Allianz Arena against the reigning European champions, Bayern Munich, who recently also won the Bundesliga, with seven games to spare. The numbers may look a bit discouraging for the English side, but as the Bavarians are on a run of three home matches without a victory, there is hope for the Red Devils. The only team to win at Allianz Arena this season happens to be Manchester City, and United's expectations are to follow that track.
Nevertheless, Moyes stated they will have to work their hearts out in order to defeat Bayern: "I expect us to play better than we did in the first leg, and I think we can play better. Otherwise, we won't go through." Speaking about the first leg at Old Trafford, Moyes stated that he believes United could have come out with a victory, although the 1-1 draw has been considered as a positive outcome.
"The players have to be technically good on the ball, they need to do better in possesion." assured Moyes. However, it all does not come down to the style of play, the players have to be focused on achieving the task: "We need the same spirit and same determination as the first leg to get through. The players are going into the game in a good frame of mind."
The complexity of the challenge ahead forces Moyes to admit the game to be: "The hardest one of my career", being therefore conscious of the importance of accomplishing a comeback against Bayern Munich, as they already did against Olympiakos in the previous round. Knowing that the season so far has been disappointing for the fans in domestic competitions, Champions League is the only source capable of joy for the Reds.
"The players are ready. They know it's a big task but it's one we're all relishing. It's the kind of fixture that United has been involved over the years and had a good record. We're going to have to show that again." declared Moyes. United's manager considers the game a final in ahead, one that the team will have to overcome in order to compete for the actual final: "We have to go into this game knowing it's a cup final for us. We want to be in the Champions League final but we have to win this cup final first."