Thomas Müller: "You shouldn't let me shoot from there"

Thomas Müller was once again heavily involved in FC Bayern's 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, providing an assist and scoring goal. The World Champion spoke with DFB.de about his current form and the upcoming fixtures.

DFB.de: Mr. Müller, Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said that his team was tired following the penalty shoot out with Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the DFB Cup quarterfinal earlier this week. We didn’t really see that against Eintracht Frankfurt though.

Müller: We were able to hide that with the 3-0 scoreline. But to be honest, we were tired and felt the 120 minutes when we got up Saturday morning, on the day of the Frankfurt game. It's never easy to then fire yourself up but we completely controlled the game nonetheless. It's our job at the end of the day. Still, it was a tough game, especially for myself for a long duration of the match. I struggled at first, but then suddenly things begin to click and you can feel the crowd's anticipation - 70,000 people, great weather – what can you do? You're not really going to go home are you (laughs)!?

DFB.de: You had a goal disallowed in the first half after the assisting referee intervened and pointed out a potential offside position to the referee. What was your verdict on that decision?

Müller: During the game I thought that the decision was a strange one, because it was really difficult for the assistant referee to see who touched the ball last from where he was standing. I think it is generally easier not to make a decision at all. But he made a clear decision, because he was absolutely certain that he was right. I would never have the guts to make these type of decisions. But at the same time I can't say that I’ve ever tried being a linesman (laughs).

DFB.de: Your goal to make it 3-0 from a tight angle looked easier than it actually was, right?

Müller: I scored a similar goal in Hamburg once. I guess you shouldn’t let me shoot from there.

DFB.de: On Wednesday Bayern take on FC Porto in the Champions League quarterfinal. Do you think that it'll be a disadvantage that a lot of fans underestimate Porto, because they are a team playing in the Portuguese league, which is not at the top of European club competition?

Müller: It's neither a disadvantage nor an advantage. Porto are a good team, but so are we. I've never played there so I'm excited to find out what the atmosphere is like there and see their stadium. We will head there with plenty of confidence and know that we can rely on the team to do well. I don't expect us to win 5-0 or that it will be an easy game – not at all! It's going to be a very close match and we have to make sure that we take a good result back home. That's all that counts.

DFB.de:This won't be an easy task considering your lengthy injury list. Do you know if Franck Ribéry and Bastian Schweinsteiger will be able to make the trip?

Müller: No, I don’t know to be honest. I'm Thomas Müller, not Dr. Müller Wohlfahrt so I don't know anything about our injury situation.

DFB.de: What is your impression of Thiago's return to the starting XI?

Müller: Thiago would improve any team on this planet and he did so with us today. It's great for him to be back after such a long injury and for him to return playing at his former level. He obviously needs more time before he can play the full 90 minutes but overall I think he showed a good performance.

DFB.de: Manuel Neuer helped Schalke prevail against Porto in the Champions League in 2008 making a few saves in a penalty shoot out. Do you remember that game?

Müller: Yes I can remember. I remember that he had a great game and also he still had blonde hair. He was already an amazing keeper back then and it would definitely help if he could play well again on Wednesday, but that would also mean that he would have a lot of shots to save and we don't want to allow any shots. We want a good result and I don't really care about how we get it. [mmc/JM]


Thomas Müller was once again heavily involved in FC Bayern's 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, providing an assist and scoring goal. The World Champion spoke with DFB.de about his current form and the upcoming fixtures.

DFB.de: Mr. Müller, Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said that his team was tired following the penalty shoot out with Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the DFB Cup quarterfinal earlier this week. We didn’t really see that against Eintracht Frankfurt though.

Müller: We were able to hide that with the 3-0 scoreline. But to be honest, we were tired and felt the 120 minutes when we got up Saturday morning, on the day of the Frankfurt game. It's never easy to then fire yourself up but we completely controlled the game nonetheless. It's our job at the end of the day. Still, it was a tough game, especially for myself for a long duration of the match. I struggled at first, but then suddenly things begin to click and you can feel the crowd's anticipation - 70,000 people, great weather – what can you do? You're not really going to go home are you (laughs)!?

DFB.de: You had a goal disallowed in the first half after the assisting referee intervened and pointed out a potential offside position to the referee. What was your verdict on that decision?

Müller: During the game I thought that the decision was a strange one, because it was really difficult for the assistant referee to see who touched the ball last from where he was standing. I think it is generally easier not to make a decision at all. But he made a clear decision, because he was absolutely certain that he was right. I would never have the guts to make these type of decisions. But at the same time I can't say that I’ve ever tried being a linesman (laughs).

DFB.de: Your goal to make it 3-0 from a tight angle looked easier than it actually was, right?

Müller: I scored a similar goal in Hamburg once. I guess you shouldn’t let me shoot from there.

DFB.de: On Wednesday Bayern take on FC Porto in the Champions League quarterfinal. Do you think that it'll be a disadvantage that a lot of fans underestimate Porto, because they are a team playing in the Portuguese league, which is not at the top of European club competition?

Müller: It's neither a disadvantage nor an advantage. Porto are a good team, but so are we. I've never played there so I'm excited to find out what the atmosphere is like there and see their stadium. We will head there with plenty of confidence and know that we can rely on the team to do well. I don't expect us to win 5-0 or that it will be an easy game – not at all! It's going to be a very close match and we have to make sure that we take a good result back home. That's all that counts.

DFB.de:This won't be an easy task considering your lengthy injury list. Do you know if Franck Ribéry and Bastian Schweinsteiger will be able to make the trip?

Müller: No, I don’t know to be honest. I'm Thomas Müller, not Dr. Müller Wohlfahrt so I don't know anything about our injury situation.

DFB.de: What is your impression of Thiago's return to the starting XI?

Müller: Thiago would improve any team on this planet and he did so with us today. It's great for him to be back after such a long injury and for him to return playing at his former level. He obviously needs more time before he can play the full 90 minutes but overall I think he showed a good performance.

DFB.de: Manuel Neuer helped Schalke prevail against Porto in the Champions League in 2008 making a few saves in a penalty shoot out. Do you remember that game?

Müller: Yes I can remember. I remember that he had a great game and also he still had blonde hair. He was already an amazing keeper back then and it would definitely help if he could play well again on Wednesday, but that would also mean that he would have a lot of shots to save and we don't want to allow any shots. We want a good result and I don't really care about how we get it.