‘Special games’ - players react to Champions League draw

Finalists last season, the players have told us how they are driven to match those heroics as they reacted to the Champions League group stage draw on Thursday.

We have been pitted against Bundesliga giants and five-time competition winners Bayern Munich, Olympiacos of Athens, Greece and Crvena zvezda (Red Star Belgrade) of Belgrade in Serbia.

Last season’s run to the final provided moments we’ll never forget, from coming back from the brink in the group stage and qualifying with a draw in the Nou Camp to a crazy quarter-final, second leg at City and Lucas Moura’s hat-trick to take us to Madrid.

Those memories are locked away now though and the players are looking forward.

“We all want to have a successful competition, hopefully even better than last season,” said Heung-Min Son.

Harry Kane stated: “We got to the final last year so we should take huge confidence from that. It shows we can beat the best in Europe. The aim is always to win it and coming second last year makes us hungry to go one step further, so hopefully we can.”

Harry Winks added: “We have the belief and confidence that we can get to where we want to go - the final. That has to be the biggest game in club football. Last season shows what we’re capable of and then you think of everything we went through to get there, overcoming a lot of adversity - we have to take that into this campaign.”

On the group

Harry Kane: “I think it’s a good draw. We’re up against teams we haven’t played in the competition before so it will be a good test.”

Lucas Moura: “There is not an easy game in the Champions League. For sure it will be tough, but I trust so much in my team, we have the capacity and a great chance to qualify. Of course, we will need to work hard for it, we know that.”

Heung-Min Son: “There are never easy games in the Champions League. It wouldn’t matter which teams we were drawn against. It’s always up to us. We need to be ready for every single game in this competition and remember what we did last season. We can learn from that as well.”

Harry Winks: “I think it’s a good draw. Our focus and aim will be to try to win that group, try to top it, but knowing there are tough games, difficult opposition, as is always the case in the Champions League.”

On Bayern Munich

Heung-Min Son: “They will be special games against Bayern Munich. They are one of the biggest teams in Europe and you are always excited to play in these matches. I’m really looking forward to it, I can’t wait.”

Harry Winks: “We played at the Allianz Arena in pre-season (in the Audi Cup), had that experience, that was ideal, and it will be fantastic to go there in the Champions League. They will be difficult games, but games we’ll all look forward to. That’s a great fixture for the fans as well. We believe we can beat any team when we’re on it and we showed that last season in the Champions League.”

Lucas Moura: “Bayern Munich are a big club, a traditional club and they have many great players. They know how to play in this competition. It will be tough, but as I said, I trust in my team. We have a very good squad as well. It will be a big game!”

Harry Kane: “Bayern Munich are obviously one of the best teams in Europe so it will be tough, but we feel we are capable of beating any team.”