Aston Villa coach Unai Emery is no stranger to Bayern Munich.
The coach has had his share of run-ins with the Bavarians over the years during European play. Needless to say, Emery has been impressed by what he has seen from the Bavarians this season.
“We’re going to play against one of the best teams in the world. They’re maybe one of the 3-4 favourites to win this competition. I want to play matches like that. Of course we’re already playing teams like that in the Premier League – Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, who are also favourites like Bayern Munich,” said Emery (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “But to play in Europe, we’re very happy to face Bayern here at home and hopefully we can enjoy the game tomorrow, compete with them and show our best.”
Emery went further into the match when discussing new Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany.
”I knew him last year here with Burnley, but his career is very recognised as a player, as a professional in football. As a coach, he started two or three years ago and he worked with Pep Guardiola in Manchester City. More or less, he’s been successful so quickly. With his experiences and the experience of working with Guardiola, everything I watch of him as a coach, in Burnley and now with Bayern Munich, is really huge work,” Emery said. “I think he’s a coach that has a very good future and he started being successful with Burnley when he got promoted. Last year was difficult with Burnley at the beginning, favourites to get relegated. He didn’t achieve to keep them in the Premier League, but I always respect him a lot as a coach because the two matches we played were very difficult.
“With Bayern Munich and the players they have, I think it’s easier to get the level they will want to have in their league and in the Champions League. They have started winning matches with very good results, playing very well.”
Can Emery and Aston Villa pull of the upset?
Looking for our thoughts on the Bayer Leverkusen game? Want a preview of the tactics that could go into Bayern Munich’s upcoming clash with Aston Villa in the Champions League? Check out our latest edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works flagship show, where Schnitzel and Cyler dive into the game that was and the game that will be, available on below or on Spotify.
