Müller Warns Bayern Not to Take Real Madrid Lightly in Champions League Quarter-Final Decider

Thomas Müller has urged Bayern Munich to avoid complacency when Real Madrid arrive at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday for the Champions League quarter-final second leg, insisting the Spanish outfit remain a threat regardless of their domestic struggles.

The Bavarians hold a commanding 2-1 advantage from last week's trip to the Bernabéu, putting them firmly in the driving seat for a semi-final berth. Yet the 36-year-old Vancouver Whitecaps forward, speaking through Sport1, counselled against any sense of inevitability about progression.

"Real Madrid aren't quite the force they've been previously, and obviously they're full of world-class individuals," Müller reflected. "They can punish you. They're always dangerous."

Bayern arrive in considerably better shape than their visitors. A devastating 5-0 demolition of St. Pauli on Saturday afforded them the luxury of resting leading marksman Harry Kane, whilst Real Madrid could only manage a 1-1 stalemate at Girona the following day—a result that has effectively handed Barcelona the La Liga crown.

Yet Müller stressed that knockout football rarely unfolds in straightforward fashion. "It's never a smooth climb," he noted. "That's why you need resilience—so that when things go awry, a loose pass or conceding a goal doesn't derail you."

The veteran also lavished praise on Bayern boss Vincent Kompany, highlighting the manager's ability to extract commitment from his squad. "I've seen firsthand how Kompany manages the team and how they respond to him," Müller said. "It goes beyond the technical and tactical side—you can see the team's intensity from minute one to the final whistle."

Bayern's path to the last four looks encouraging, though a semi-final against either PSG or Liverpool awaits the winners.