Thomas Müller reacts to drawing Schalke in the DFB-Pokal quarterfinals

Bayern Munich drew Schalke in the DFB-Pokal quarterfinals on Sunday afternoon while they were playing against RB Leipzig. In the Bundesliga, Bayern has already beaten Schalke twice: 3-0 in the Hinrunde and 5-0 in the Rückrunde.

Back in 2010, the two sides squared off in the semi-finals of the competition in a match that was decided by an extra-time winner from Arjen Robben after a brilliant solo run. In typical fashion, Thomas Muller reminisced on the famous goal by Robben when he was asked drawing Schalke in the quarterfinals (via Goal):

Of course Schalke are a team that have shown this year that they can be competitive. They know what to do — especially in cup matches. Away at Schalke, my mind goes back to quite a while ago. I remember Arjen Robben’s goal: an amazing solo run down the pitch, before scoring to make it 1-0 in extra time. Arjen doesn’t play for us anymore, but maybe we’ll give him a call and bring him back from retirement!

While Muller was trying to be funny, his reference to Robben sheds light on the fact that Bayern’s wingers struggled a bit against RB Leipzig. Both Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman have been working their way back from injury, and Ivan Perisic was added to Bayern’s injury list last week when he fractured his ankle. Müller has been utilized as a wide attacking midfielder, but he’s arguably far better in a more central role. Hansi Flick will have to hope both Gnabry and Coman get back to full fitness sooner rather than later if Bayern is going to be effective in those advanced wide roles.

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Joshua Kimmich also shared his thoughts on drawing Schalke in the quarter-finals. With both Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund having been knocked out in the last round, Kimmich said that Bayern would be the favorites regardless of who they drew for this upcoming round:

In Leipzig and Dortmund, two hot favourites have already been eliminated. I think no matter who we would have drawn in the quarters, we would go into the game as favorites. I would have preferred to play at home, but we are to play away. But despite that we’ll still be favorites against any opponents. Regardless if we play at home or on the road.

Manuel Neuer will have yet another return to the Veltins arena, where he played with Schalke for 5 years after playing with Schalke’s reserves from 2004-2006. The occasion is another opportunity for a cracking affair against his former club:

They are good opponents. In the cup it’s quite a different prospect. It’ll not be easy for us. Personally, I’m always happy to go back to Gelsenkirchen. I’m looking forward to the game.

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