Tuesday 25 November 2014 19:13, UK
Xabi Alonso insists Bayern Munich remain wary of the threat posed by Manchester City ahead of their UEFA Champions League encounter on Tuesday.
City are bottom of Group E but can still qualify for the knockout stages if they win their two remaining games and other results fall their way.
Bayern have already qualified for the Round of 16 but Alonoso insists the Bavarians will not be taking their foot off the gas when they visit the Etihad Stadium.
"Obviously City are in a difficult position but they have won the Premier League a couple of times. I am pretty sure this season they want to show their level and they want to go through,” he said.
"They have important players suspended but as a whole it is one of the best squads in Europe.
"It is hard to tell from the outside but you expect any season that City will make that impact in Europe. So far they haven't done it but I am pretty sure it is not far, that big year in Europe. Season by season they try to improve.
"It looks like a very serious project and competing with the other clubs in Europe is for sure one of their goals. Even though it looks a difficult situation for them, it could change in 90 minutes. We will have to do our job."
Alonso, who celebrates his 33rd birthday on the day of the game, is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with Frank Lampard.
The Spaniard had a number of fierce clashes with Lampard when the pair were at
Liverpool and Chelsea respectively, with one tackle from the Englishman once breaking Alonso's ankle.
Enjoy
"It is going to be strange to play against him and not be playing Chelsea,” Alonso said. “He had a great career for Chelsea and he has been one of the most important players in the Premier League in the last years.
"We can enjoy it. We had competitive games in the league, Champions League, FA Cup, in semi-finals. We have had fewer ties (recently) but we have good relations and I wish him best of luck with his next stage. We are great competitors in football."
Bayern head coach Pep Guardiola believes City have the edge ahead of their clash but is expecting his players to give a good account of themselves.
“To play football we need tension, we need something to fight for,” he said. “You have to be a little bit afraid to play football, so in that point of view Man City have an advantage.
"The game for them is more important than our game, but we always find the right way, something to be motivated, to be a competitive team.
"We have to defend our team, our club. We can't just be here for fun. We have come here to play. It's very important for the club."
